Justices grant transfer in stalking, duty of care cases
Indiana Supreme Court justices declined to hear oral arguments in 13 cases last week but agreed to hear two cases involving duty of care and stalking.
Indiana Supreme Court
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Web Exclusive: Protective order e-filing puts safety first
Hoosiers who believe they need a protective order won’t have to travel to a courthouse in order to file a request now that an electronic filing service has been created to meet the needs of victims from the security of their own homes.
COA affirms IURC’s order in Hamilton Southeastern rate case
An order from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission requiring a Hamilton County utility to comply with national guidelines to support a rate hike was upheld Tuesday by the Indiana Court of Appeals. Hamilton Southeastern Utilities uses its operations contractor, Sanitary Management & Engineering Co., to carry out all operation, maintenance and engineering functions of HSE’s […]
Supreme Court reduces interest for IBM in dispute with state
The Indiana Supreme has once again revisited the years-long dispute between the state and IBM Corp., issuing an opinion on rehearing that provides more detail on the post-judgment interest due to IBM.
Justices amend appellate procedure rules
The Indiana Supreme Court has made amendments to several Indiana Appellate Rules of procedure. The amended rules largely address changes in notice of appeal requirements.
Justices lift three suspension orders for Fort Wayne attorney
A Fort Wayne attorney with multiple suspensions has had three of them lifted after the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission found he had cooperated with those investigations against him. He remains suspended in other disciplinary cases, however.
Three judges involved in Indianapolis shooting now face discipline
Three judges involved in a May shooting in downtown Indianapolis are all now facing judicial discipline charges. Clark Circuit Judges Andrew Adams and Bradley Jacobs and Crawford Circuit Magistrate Judge Sabrina Bell each were charged Friday by the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications in relation to the May 1 shooting at a downtown Indianapolis White Castle, and the events leading up to the shooting.
Justices affirm stalking conviction for driver who followed college student 70 miles
A man’s act of following a college student for more than two hours on U.S. Highway 30 from Valparaiso to Warsaw constituted stalking, Indiana Supreme Court justices affirmed Tuesday, finding his actions were continuous in nature.
Justices to review 181-year sentence imposed on Gary teen
The Indiana Supreme Court granted petitions to transfer in two cases last week, agreeing to hear a case concerning the sentence imposed on a 16-year-old murder defendant and a matter regarding a motorcycle crash involving a state trooper.
Stakeholders praise pretrial reforms at statewide summit
Across Indiana, 44 local jails are currently at capacity. But if half of all pretrial detainees were released, that number would fall to 11. A key lawmaker used that statistic Friday to demonstrate the possible benefits in Indiana’s efforts to release low-level, low-risk offenders as an alternative to cash bail.
Fort Wayne attorney again suspended for noncooperation
A suspended Fort Wayne attorney with a history of formal disciplinary actions against him has again been suspended from the practice of law for noncooperation with the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission.
Rush, David dissent in denial of appeal after joint mistrial request rejected
A man’s conviction in a domestic battery case after both defense and prosecution asked for a mistrial because a relative of the defendant communicated with a juror outside court will stand after the Indiana Supreme Court in a 3-2 decision chose not to hear the appeal. Chief Justice Loretta Rush and Justice Steven David published a dissent, believing the defendant had been prejudiced and was entitled to a new trial.
Indianapolis attorney suspended for noncooperation
An Indianapolis attorney has been suspended from the practice of law per a Thursday order for her noncooperation with an investigation of grievance filed against her.
New lawyers reminded of their responsibilities and duties
Indiana’s newest attorneys were congratulated on their admission to the bar and welcomed to the practice of law Wednesday with soaring rhetoric and practical advice from their colleagues in the bar and on the bench.
Justices’ rent-to-own ruling helps consumers, lawyers say
The Indiana Supreme Court reviewed a dispute over a rent-to-own contract and determined the family who had been living in the home were renters, not buyers. The ruling in Rainbow Realty Group, Inc., et al. v. Katrina Carter and Quentin Lintner, might give families who enter rent-to-buy contracts some remedy to prevent their dreams of homeownership from becoming a nightmare.
Indiana Court Decisions – Sept. 12–25, 2019
Read Indiana appellate decisions from the most recent reporting period.
New SCOTUS word limits sharpen focus on writing
In a change effective July 1, the U.S. Supreme Court reduced the number of words litigants and friends can use in their submissions. The word limit for briefs on the merits of the case was slashed by 2,000 to 13,000. Also, amicus briefs were slimmed down to 8,000 from 9,000, although briefs from some entities such as federal agencies and state attorneys general were exempted from the reduction.
Counties prepare for pretrial release reform
As 2019 draws to a close, judicial officials across Indiana are preparing for a change coming Jan. 1. On that day, Criminal Rule 26, which dictates new pretrial release protocols, will be effective statewide.
Video hearings did not result in unfair or harmful juvenile proceedings
Two juveniles will remain wards of the Indiana Department of Correction after the Indiana Supreme Court found that while their participation in their modification hearings through Skype violated an administrative rule, it did not cause a fundamental error.
Supreme Court announces protection order e-filing service
Individuals in need of a protective order can now request one online without having to leave a safe space to visit the courthouse. The Indiana Supreme Court announced Tuesday its new protection order e-filing service, which enables those who need a protection order to request one wherever they have access to the internet.