2020 ICLEO applications available
Applications are now available for the 2020 Indiana Conference for Legal Education Opportunity program may now do so, the Indiana Supreme Court announced Friday.
Indiana Supreme Court
Articles
Supreme Court officially makes Karozos state public defender
Indiana’s new state public defender was officially appointed Monday with an order from the Indiana Supreme Court. Amy E. Karozos will begin her four-year term as state public defender Jan. 13.
High court continues to allow cameras, recording devices at COA arguments
Cameras and other electronic devices may continue to be used in courtrooms for press coverage of Indiana Court of Appeals oral arguments, according to a Monday Indiana Supreme Court order.
Supreme Court makes additional amendments to new pro bono publico rules
The Indiana Supreme Court has further amended newly created rules dealing with the licensing of pro bono publico attorneys on the eve of their effective date.
COA disqualifies school board member in residency challenge
A lawyer elected to Indianapolis’ Washington Township School Board is ineligible to serve, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled in an unprecedented decision, removing the elected official because she does not live in the district she was elected to represent in 2018.
Civil forfeiture amendments don’t defeat prior forfeiture action, COA says
Legislative amendments to Indiana’s much-debated civil forfeiture scheme did not defeat a pre-existing forfeiture action in state court, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Friday, finding the amendments did not constitute an ex post facto law.
2 judges back on bench following fight-related suspensions
Two southern Indiana judges are back on the bench after completing their suspensions for a downtown Indianapolis fight and double-shooting that followed a night of bar hopping. Clark Circuit Judge Brad Jacobs and Crawford Circuit Judge Sabrina Bell were reinstated to the bench Monday following 30-day suspensions that took effect Nov. 22.
Year in Review: Baer death penalty reversal most-read IL story of 2019
A federal appeals court’s reversal of Madison County killer Fredrick Baer’s death sentence was the most-read story on the Indiana Lawyer’s digital edition, www.theindianalawyer.com. Indiana Lawyer readers clicked on stories on our website more than 2.6 million times between Jan. 1 and Dec. 10, 2019, according to Google Analytics. Here are the 50 most-viewed story headlines during that time.
Year in Review: Several attorneys’ lawlessness, recklessness gave lawyers a bad name in past year
Most Hoosier attorneys will never face a formal disciplinary complaint for misconduct. But in 2019, the bad behavior of a few lawyers resulted in professional sanctions or criminal charges. Here is a look back at some of the most egregious professional lowlights from the past year.
Year in Review: In 2019, troubles dominated legal news
When those in the legal community look back at 2019, they may turn their heads and look forward instead. While the year had bright spots, several sordid sagas dominated the headlines.
Panel recommends adopting Uniform Bar Exam to enhance fairness, reliability
With Indiana already incorporating two components from the Uniform Bar Examination into its own attorney admittance test, a study commission formed to review and recommend changes to state’s bar exam is advocating Indiana pick up the remaining component and transition completely to the UBE. But three commission members cautioned against the move, saying the state would be relinquishing control of its own test.
Justices agree to hear extended expungement-wait case
Indiana Supreme Court justices have agreed to hear a case that sharply divided an appellate panel concerning whether minor felonies reduced to misdemeanor convictions should trigger new five-year waiting periods for individuals seeking a criminal expungement.
Public comments sought on proposed changes to bar exam
With a special study commission having finished its review and submitted its recommendations for updating the Indiana Bar Exam, the Indiana Supreme Court is now asking for public comment about the proposed changes.
Suspended Fort Wayne bankruptcy lawyer who served theft sentence resigns
A former Fort Wayne bankruptcy lawyer who served a completed a federal prison sentence for embezzling from a client has resigned from the Indiana bar. Randall Stiles, 46, was released from the federal penitentiary in Terre Haute on Oct. 31 after serving a six-month sentence imposed in March for his guilty plea to two counts of bankruptcy fraud and a misdemeanor tax charge.
Marion Co. defender Karozos named state public defender
The Indiana Supreme Court has named Amy Karozos as Indiana’s next state public defender, according to a Friday announcement from the high court. Karozos, currently a Marion County public defender in the juvenile division, has previously served as a project director for the Indiana Public Defender Council.
Filings show starkly different views of AG Hill’s alleged misconduct
As the parties await a hearing officer’s report in the lawyer discipline case against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, their competing filings urge the hearing officer to take very different views of the underlying sexual misconduct allegations in making her recommendation to the Indiana Supreme Court.
Disciplinary commission urges 2-year suspension for AG Hill
Competing filings in the disciplinary case against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill call for the Republican AG to face a sanction as severe as a two-year suspension or as little as nothing at all.
Study commission advises Indiana adopt Uniform Bar Exam
Finding the Indiana Bar Exam places a “cognitive overload” on examinees, the special commission convened a year ago to study and recommend changes to the test is suggesting the Indiana Supreme Court reduce the number of subjects tested either by cutting the topics on the Indiana Essay Examination or by switching to the Uniform Bar Examination.
Justices agree to hear Ohio River billboard dispute
The Indiana Supreme Court has granted transfer to a case involving an economic development group’s suit against a southern Indiana town over its plans to allow billboards near an Ohio River bridge.
Supreme Court lifts another suspension against Fort Wayne attorney
A Fort Wayne attorney facing multiple disciplinary actions has had his suspension in one of those actions terminated, though he remains ineligible to practice law in Indiana.