Justices reduce meth dealing sentence in split opinion
A divided Indiana Supreme Court has sided with an appellate judge’s dissent in a drug dealing case, lowering a woman’s decades-long sentence pursuant to Appellate Rule 7(B).
Indiana Supreme Court
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About 250 lawyers face suspension over unmet dues, education requirements
More than 150 Indiana lawyers and nearly 100 out-of-state attorneys face suspension from the practice of law for unpaid dues, violations of Interest on Lawyer Trust Account rules or failure to comply with continuing legal education requirements.
Justices amend juror privacy, alternate dispute resolutions rules
The Indiana Supreme Court has issued orders amending rules of the court, some of which concern juror privacy and public access to juror questionnaires and discovery of certain insurance settlement information in mediations.
Supreme Court permits Lake County jury trial to start
A civil jury trial is underway in Lake County after the Indiana Supreme Court granted a request to hold a two-day trial starting Wednesday – the first in an Indiana trial court since the suspension of in-person court proceedings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
7th Circuit rejects convicted killer’s habeas petition over uncommunicated plea deal
A convicted killer lost his appeal in a federal habeas case in which he claimed he was entitled to relief from a 65-year prison sentence because his lawyer failed to convey a plea deal before he was convicted after a second trial.
Police-trainee’s blood-draw suppression in 2015 crash case reversed
A former police trainee accused of causing a drunken-driving crash on Interstate 465 five summers ago will go back to court with more evidence against him. The Indiana Supreme Court on Monday ruled that results of a blood draw after he refused a breath test were wrongly suppressed in Marion Superior Court.
Justices order new attempted murder trial after jury instruction ‘dilutes’ self-defense standard
The Indiana Supreme Court has ordered a new trial for a man convicted of attempted murder and handgun charges, finding an erroneous jury instruction diluted the standard for claiming self-defense.
Retiring COA Judge Baker certified as senior judge
Indiana’s longest-serving judge will continue hearing cases — at least part-time — after being certified as a senior judge last week. Indiana Court of Appeals Judge John G. Baker was certified a senior judge effective June 23, the date of an order signed Tuesday by Chief Justice Loretta Rush.
Justices to review murder verdict overturned due to lawyer’s lie on jury form
A Vanderburgh County jury’s guilty verdict in a murder case that was overturned on appeal because a lawyer who served as the jury forewoman lied on her jury questionnaire will be reviewed by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Justices grant expungement petition that led to change in law
Confusion over prolonged expungement wait times that Indiana’s longest-serving judge called “unjust” was settled Wednesday when the Indiana Supreme Court declared a new law that eliminated the confusion applies retroactively.
In 3-2 ruling, justices affirm car search in warrant for search of home
Indiana’s chief justice and most senior justice dissented Wednesday from a decision upholding the admission of evidence in a drug case collected from a vehicle that arrived at a Camby home at the same time police were inside the house executing a search warrant that was limited to the property. A justice who sided with the majority, however, said the split decision is evidence that key caselaw regarding law enforcement searches and seizures may need to be revisited.
Disciplinary Actions 06/24/20
Read who has been subject to Indiana Supreme Court discipline orders in the most recent reporting period.
Indiana Court Decisions – June 4–17, 2020
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
Sharply divided Supreme Court sides with smartphone owner in self-incrimination case
A harshly split Indiana Supreme Court has ruled 3-2 in favor of a woman who was found in contempt for refusing to unlock her smart phone in a criminal investigation. A majority of the high court reversed the contempt order, holding in a landmark ruling that forcing her to unlock her iPhone would violate her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
COVID-19 relief in Indiana appellate courts extended
Relief from deadlines in court cases affected by the coronavirus pandemic has been extended by a joint order of the Indiana Supreme Court and the Indiana Court of Appeals issued Friday.
Judge reduces jury damages award for doctor in defamation case
A doctor will have to settle for just $3.5 million in damages rather than the $4.75 million a Marion Superior jury awarded after a judge on Friday reduced the jury’s award in a defamation case brought against a Carmel hospital after the doctor was falsely accused of drinking on the job.
AG candidates make final pleas to GOP delegates
The crowded field of lawyers seeking the Indiana GOP nomination for attorney general will soon be narrowed to one as the four candidates make their final pleas for support from the state’s Republican delegates. The field includes embattled AG Curtis Hill, Decatur County Prosecutor Nate Hater, former Rep. Todd Rokita and Bose McKinney & Evans attorney John Westercamp.
Justices make Lake County judge pro tem appointments due to jurist’s health
Lake Superior Court Judge Clarence D. Murray will temporarily step down from his seat on the bench after informing the court that he would be unable to perform the duties of his office due to health reasons.
Retired Posey County jurist certified as senior judge
Indiana Supreme Court justices have certified a new senior judge to serve in Indiana courts.
Indianapolis attorney who took assistant’s Social Security withholdings disbarred
An Indianapolis attorney who converted his only employee’s Social Security withholdings for his own personal use for more than a decade has been disbarred from the practice of law after the Indiana Supreme Court found that he had committed attorney misconduct.