Disciplinary Actions 08/05/20
Read who has resigned, been placed on probation or suspended from the practice of law in Indiana during the most recent reporting period.
Indiana Supreme Court
Articles
Supreme Court affirms dismissal of firearm enhancement after COA reversed
Indiana Supreme Court justices vacated an appellate panel’s reversal on Tuesday, affirming the trial court’s dismissal of a firearm enhancement in a case involving a man who shot his roommate.
Legal community mourns passing of long-time Floyd Co. prosecutor Henderson
Keith Henderson, who served as Floyd County prosecuting attorney for nearly 20 years, died Aug. 1 at his home surrounded by his family following a battle with Lyme disease. He was 59.
Technical difficulties, high anxiety prevail during pandemic-era bar exam
Although the testing software was supposed to allow individuals to take the July 2020 Indiana Bar Exam while remaining safely in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, the technology malfunctioned so badly that the Indiana Supreme Court will be forced to administer the test by relying on email and the applicants’ integrity.
Judge’s retirement opens St. Joseph court vacancy
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The coming retirement of a St. Joseph Superior Court judge has opened applications for her successor, the Indiana Supreme Court announced Friday. |
Task force issues recommendations for handling increase in eviction cases
In anticipation of state courts being overwhelmed with landlord-tenant cases once the pandemic moratorium on evictions is lifted, a task force assembled by the Indiana Supreme Court released recommendations Wednesday that encourage payment plans and alternatives to forcibly removing residents from their homes.
Faulty bar exam software tossed in favor of emails, open books
The Indiana Supreme Court issued an order Wednesday again revamping the July 2020 bar exam, opting to send test questions by email and allowing applicants to refer to notes and course materials during the test. The test is still scheduled to be administered remotely Tuesday under the new format.
Indianapolis attorney convicted of OWI suspended for 90 days
An Indianapolis attorney has been suspended for 90 days with automatic reinstatement following his conviction of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and several violations of the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct related to client representation.
Merrillville attorney’s discipline converted to indefinite suspension
Indiana Supreme Court justices have indefinitely suspended a Lake County lawyer who was suspended earlier this year for failing to cooperate with the disciplinary commission concerning a grievance against him.
Lawyer sentenced for theft from charity resigns from bar
An Indianapolis attorney has resigned from the bar rather than face a disciplinary proceeding a month after he was convicted of felony theft related to the misappropriation of funds from a charity that benefited Riley Children’s Hospital and a related business.
Software headaches adding to bar exam worries
Two business days from the July 2020 bar exam, some Indiana applicants are reporting problems with the software and adding more anxiety that they will not even be able to log on to take the test Tuesday.
Indiana bar applicants’ petition for open-book exam rejected
A late change in the way the Indiana bar exam will be administered has raised sufficient fears of some applicants about the potential for wide-spread cheating that they are asking the test to be open-book. But the Indiana Supreme Court rejected a petition from dozens of law school graduates who will take the bar exam remotely next week.
AG Hill’s accusers file state complaint, 7th Circuit appeal over alleged groping
Following two dismissals from the Indiana Southern District Court, the four women who have accused Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill of sexual misconduct are taking their claims for battery, defamation and invasion of privacy to state court.
COA affirms felony drug conviction sentence, invites justices’ guidance on modifications
A panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed a woman’s almost 10-year sentence for four felony drug convictions, but one appellate judge paused to invite further guidance from the Indiana Supreme Court on a sentencing issue he says has caused a split of opinion among his colleagues.
Indiana joins national split over Fifth Amendment technology question
A 3-2 Indiana Supreme Court decision last month ruled that Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination extends to court orders for a suspect to unlock her cellphone. Other states, however, have taken the opposite stance, setting the stage for a likely US Supreme Court case.
IndyBar: Indiana Appellate Institute Celebrates 10 Years
As we blow out the candles on the virtual “Happy 10th Birthday” cake, the Indiana Appellate Institute continues to do what it does well, especially help first-time or infrequent appellate advocates, while looking for ways to continue to innovate and improve.
IU McKinney students experience 2nd year of rural judicial clerkships
A second round of Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law students have been dispatched across the state this summer to assist rural county judges through a judicial clerkship program, despite setbacks caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
High court amends appellate rules, rescinds June order
The Indiana Supreme Court has amended several rules of appellate procedure. The order comes after the high court rescinded an order amending appellate rules issued June 26.
AG Hill pledges support to ‘conservative principles’ after convention defeat
In the aftermath of a convention defeat that will keep him from serving a second term in office, Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is vowing to “continue to support and fight for our conservative principles.” Hill, however, did not explicitly endorse Republican AG nominee Todd Rokita.
Divided justices order new trial in wrongful death suit involving unwilling juror
Indiana Supreme Court justices on Thursday split in ordering a new trial in a wrongful death case involving an unwilling juror and a denied for-cause challenge.