Supreme Court invites comment on numerous rule changes
The Indiana Supreme Court is seeking comment from the bench, bar and public on several proposed amendments to various Indiana court rules.
Indiana Supreme Court
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Passing of beloved therapy dog leaves JLAP staff ‘heartbroken’
The Indiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program has announced that Kirby, its beloved therapy dog who was a staple at many legal events around the state, died Jan. 29 after a brief illness. He was 14.
Indiana Justices hear arguments in Right to Farm dispute
A Hendricks County battle over whether a hog farming operation is protected by Indiana’s Right to Farm Act arrived at the Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday with opposing counsel arguing the limits and the intent of the statute.
Supreme Court declines case of 100-year molestation sentence
The Indiana Supreme Court has declined to take up the case of a man sentenced to 100 years in prison for molesting 20 children while working at a YMCA and at an elementary school.
Ex-deputy prosecutor who retaliated against detective suspended
A former Knox County chief deputy prosecutor has been suspended from the practice of law for abusing his prosecutorial authority as part of a retaliation campaign against a detective who discovered his sexual relationship with a criminal defendant. The elected Knox County prosecutor also faces a related disciplinary case, according to the Indiana Supreme Court.
Justices to hear attempted murder, UIM recovery appeals
Indiana Supreme Court justices granted transfer in two cases last week concerning attempted murder and uninsured motorist coverage recovery, rejecting 25 other cases.
Justices to consider attorney fees arguments in Ohio River-area billboard dispute
Parties disputing an award of attorney fees in a dispute over a billboard installation near the Ohio River will have the chance to state their case before members of the Indiana Supreme Court this week.
Justices consider procedures in OWI blood-draw suppression case
Indiana Supreme Court justices said Thursday they will have to determine whether to grant transfer in a wrong-way-driver case focused on the suppression of a post-crash blood draw from a driver who had been an Indianapolis police recruit.
Bill raising small claims filing limit to $8K advances to full House
Plaintiffs litigating on the small claims docket in any Indiana county could soon file claims for up to $8,000 if a bill that advanced out of a House committee Wednesday makes it to the governor’s desk. The bill also would expand the authority of magistrate judges.
Web Exclusive: Expungement wait period case awaits justices
After more than 10 years with a criminal record, an Elkhart man successfully petitioned to reduce his felony conviction to a misdemeanor. But when he tried to expunge the conviction two years later, he faced an unexpected setback. The Indiana Supreme Court will decide whether he and others in his situation must wait longer for an expungement.
Letter to the editor: Hill discipline recommendation raises race bias concerns
The Indiana Disciplinary Commission’s recommended professional sanctions against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill attests to ongoing racial disparities within the state’s legal and criminal justice system.
Justices to hear arguments in blood draw suppression case
The Indiana Supreme Court will consider this week whether to grant transfer to a wrong-way-driver case focused on a post-accident blood draw.
Connersville attorney disbarred for ‘criminal and dishonest’ conduct
A Connersville attorney accused of using client funds to pay for her children’s school tuition and of repeatedly making false assertions to the Disciplinary Commission, among numerous other “criminal and dishonest” acts, has been disbarred.
Suspended lawyer accused of thefts from disabled clients jailed on warrant
A suspended Greenwood lawyer accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from disabled and injured clients whose special-needs trusts he established and then allegedly used for his own purposes is in jail in Muncie, where he may remain until standing trial on criminal charges around the state. Kenneth “Shane” Service, 46, was booked into the Delaware County Jail on Thursday, according to jail records.
Proposed Indiana law would limit Lake Michigan beach access
Indiana lawmakers are considering a bill that would undo a landmark Indiana Supreme Court ruling that affirmed that the shoreline of Lake Michigan is unquestionably owned by the state and held in trust for use by all residents.
Jury finds against St. Vincent’s, awards wrongly accused doctor $4.75 million
In what is believed to be the first jury verdict in an Indiana Commercial Court case, a jury in Indianapolis has awarded a doctor $4.75 million in her defamation and fraud lawsuit against a Carmel hospital and medical group where she had privileges. The jury found for the doctor, who claimed she had wrongly been accused of having alcohol on her breath while on duty.
Justices exempt reimbursements from family court councils
The Indiana Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges are now exempted sources of reimbursement under Code of Judicial Conduct Rules 3.14 and 3.15, the Indiana Supreme Court announced.
Bill revamps advisory group for Indiana criminal justice reform
A bill that would remake a key component of Indiana’s criminal code overhaul sailed through the House of Representatives on Tuesday with the author saying the measure will improve the efficiency of “one of the best things” that was included in the reform of the state’s criminal and sentencing statutes.
Southern District collects more than $3M in asset forfeiture in FY19
The Southern District of Indiana collected more than $10 million from criminal and civil actions and asset forfeitures in fiscal year 2019, with more than $3 million collected through asset forfeitures.
Rush highlights problem-solving courts, pretrial reform in 2020 State of the Judiciary
The importance of community collaboration in the criminal justice system was the key message of Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush’s 2020 State of the Judiciary address.