Justices order state courts to adopt security plans
Changes have been made to Indiana’s court security rules, adding new language that addresses individual court security plans.
Indiana Supreme Court
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Judicial commission investigating shooting involving judges
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications is investigating the May 1 shooting that left two Clark County judges wounded and one convicted of misdemeanor battery, the Indiana Supreme Court confirmed Wednesday.
Lawyer suspended for hiring killer in ‘woefully inadequate’ defense
An Indianapolis attorney who hired a convicted killer to persuade a defendant accused of murder to ditch a public defender and retain him has been suspended for three years for incompetent client representation and lying to the disciplinary commission. A dissenting justice, however, would have disbarred the attorney.
Initial July bar exam results show little change from last year
Preliminary results released Monday for the July 2019 bar exam indicate the overall pass rate likely will remain between 60 and 65 percent even as the rate for repeat takers could hit a historical low of 20 percent.
Attorney who exposed himself, allegedly stole client funds, resigns
An Indianapolis attorney who in the past three years was charged with indecency, public nudity and theft has resigned from the Indiana bar.
Justices split, vacate transfer in class action against car dealership
A divided Indiana Supreme Court decided not to take an appeal after originally granting transfer to a class action brought by angry customers against a Northern Indiana car dealership.
Anthem attorney gets JLAP probation after OWI crash
An attorney for Indianapolis-based Anthem Inc. received a stayed suspension from the Indiana Supreme Court and will undergo a year of substance abuse monitoring after a drunken-driving conviction arising from a property damage car crash nearly two years ago. Jonathan T. Tempel was suspended for 90 days with automatic reinstatement, stayed subject to completion of one year of monitoring by the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program.
Justices beef up molester’s sentence slashed in prior appeal
A former southern Indiana teacher who repeatedly molested a student from the age of 12 will serve 60 years in prison, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled Friday, discarding an Indiana Court of Appeals ruling that had slashed the man’s sentence from 70 years to 30 years in prison.
Indiana’s struggle with insanity defense mirrors coming SCOTUS case
A case that split the Indiana Supreme Court last December over a criminal defendant’s mental capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of her actions dovetails into a larger question looming before the U.S. Supreme Court — whether states have to provide laws that allow for an insanity defense.
7-year-old LaPorte manslaughter case marked by misconduct going to trial
A northern Indiana man whose manslaughter case was dismissed due to police and prosecutorial misconduct then reinstated by the state’s high court is scheduled to stand trial beginning next week, nearly seven years after his wife was found shot to death in their home.
Dreyer: Questions and answers with Chief Justice Loretta Rush
The Judicial Nominating Commission in August reappointed Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush for another term. It was hardly a surprise. Chief Justice Rush is a special kind of judge. Recently, she took time to reflect on her work and remarkable career.
Indiana Court Decisions – Aug. 15-27, 2019
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
Rush plans to further initiatives in second term
Ask the justices how they would describe the last five years at the Indiana Supreme Court, and they’ll tell you they’ve seen some changes. There’s been an internal reorganization, a major technology initiative and a national drug crisis to contend with, but they think their institution has successfully charted its path.
Supreme Court hosting e-filing celebration Wednesday
To celebrate the conclusion of a years-long rollout of electronic filing in all 92 Indiana counties, a statewide e-filing celebration will be hosted by the Indiana Supreme Court to mark the milestone. The celebration will take place at 12 p.m. Wednesday in the Sullivan County Courthouse.
Transfer granted in case involving solicitation agreements
The Indiana Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case involving a noncompete and solicitation agreement ruled to be overly broad.
State public defender Stephen Owens retiring in December
After more than eight years in office, Indiana Public Defender Stephen Owens will retire at the end of 2019.
Res judicata clarification allows CHINS finding to stand
In granting a petition on rehearing, the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed its earlier ruling and allowed the Department of Child Services to move forward with a new child in need of services petition even though the filing relied on allegations made in a previous CHINS petition that had been overturned.
One of five suspensions lifted for Fort Wayne attorney
A Fort Wayne attorney’s suspension for noncooperation has been lifted, but Indiana Supreme Court justices say his remaining suspensions in several other cases will remain in effect.
Muncie attorney gets 180-day suspension
A Muncie attorney previously convicted of drunken driving charges has been suspended from the practice of law for 180 days without automatic reinstatement for his professional misconduct, including his failure to reimburse lienholders, obtain consent from clients with conflicts of interest and give notice of his felony conviction.
Supreme Court suspends Indianapolis attorney for noncooperation
A suspended Indianapolis attorney has been hit with another order suspending him from the practice of law effective immediately for his noncooperation with the disciplinary commission’s investigation against him.