Lawyer charged with defrauding elderly pleads guilty
A former South Bend lawyer who was charged with scamming elderly investors has pleaded guilty to some charges in the case.
Indiana Supreme Court
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AG Hill: Argument for ethics hearing panel ‘fatally flawed’
The briefing battle between Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill and the Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission has continued this week, with Hill arguing in new court filings that the commission’s attempts to convince the Supreme Court to proceed with the case consist of bootstrapping, red herrings and fatal flaws.
Majority justices reverse probation violation for judge’s inconsistent statements
A probation violation will be removed from a convicted sex offender’s record after a divided Indiana Supreme Court determined a trial judge’s inconsistent statements meant there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a probation violation.
Indiana Judicial Conference seeking comments on proposed changes to child support guidelines
Proposed revisions to Indiana’s Child Support Guidelines, which are used to make decisions about child support in all actions for child support including divorces, legal separations, paternity cases and Title IV-D proceedings, have been posted for public comment, with feedback requested by noon on May 17.
Indiana Court Decisions — March 13-27, 2019
Read Indiana appellate court opinions for the most recent reporting period.
Juvenile waiver bill stirs controversy at Statehouse
A proposal that would send children as young as 12 to adult court on attempted murder charges sailed through one house of the Indiana General Assembly before meeting resistance — including from a bill sponsor.
AG Hill’s attorney discipline case raises new questions
The disciplinary complaint against Hill raises new questions about the disciplinary process itself, including who can preside over the proceedings and what would happen if the state’s chief legal officer loses his law license, even temporarily. But those questions aside, ethics attorneys say Hill’s status as a prominent elected official shouldn’t have any bearing on the nuts and bolts of the discipline process.
Disciplinary Commission: AG Hill claiming he is above ethics rules
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission has accused Attorney General Curtis Hill of seeking special treatment in the disciplinary proceedings brought against him, arguing in court filings that Hill’s case must go before a hearing panel to protect the public interest.
‘Pursuit of happiness’ marijuana case seeks Hoosier justices’ consideration
A case dealing with a man’s constitutional right to the pursuit of happiness in the form of a marijuana blunt is possibly headed to the state's highest court now that a petition to transfer has been filed.
Justices: ‘Reliable assurance’ of accident defense upholds conviction in baby’s death
A man’s convictions of neglect of his infant daughter resulting in death was affirmed Wednesday by the Indiana Supreme Court when justices ruled it was not improper under Indiana Evidence Rule 404(b) to admit other-bad-acts evidence to show lack of accident, so long as a there was reliable assurance that an accident defense would be raised.
Justice deny transfer to 13 cases
The Indiana Supreme Court denied granting transfer in any of the 13 cases brought before its bench last week, including a case involving a gun robbery consisting of more than a dozen firearms and a debt suit lacking malicious intent.
Hamilton County magistrate judge suspended after arrest in meth sting
A Hamilton County magistrate judge has been suspended by the Indiana Supreme Court as he faces a felony methamphetamine possession charge and other counts after he allegedly bought meth from a police informant. The judicial officer also is accused of biting the thumb of an officer who tried to pry the bag of meth from the magistrate judge’s mouth.
South Bend attorney suspended for noncooperation
The Indiana Supreme Court has suspended a South Bend attorney from the practice of law after previously ordering her to show cause as to why she should not be immediately suspended for noncooperation with a disciplinary investigation against her.
Hill, Disciplinary Commission spar over hearing officer appointment
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is hitting back at the lawyer ethics charges filed against him this week, arguing the judicial branch is wading into political waters by possibly disciplining him for allegations of groping four women — claims he says were “unrelated to the practice of law.”
Aggravators can’t include nonadjudicated juvenile actions, COA says
In granting a petition for rehearing Thursday, the Indiana Court of Appeals explicitly came down against using juveniles' nonadjudicated contacts with the criminal justice system as an aggravating factor in future sentencing. However, in light of other evidence of the petitioner’s criminal history, the court reaffirmed its prior decision to uphold a man’s sentence.
Justices to hear Lake County eminent domain case
The Indiana Supreme Court unanimously chose to hear two property-related cases, focusing on issues of eminent domain and deciding a case involving rental property fee exemptions for landlords in Bloomington and West Lafayette.
Prevention-based pilot program for at-risk juveniles advances
A bill that would allow the Indiana Supreme Court to establish a preventive pilot program targeting at-risk juveniles won the approval of the House Judiciary Committee Monday, advancing to the House floor.
COA: Probation officers protected under quasi-judicial immunity
An inmate ordered to serve the reminder of his sentence after violating his probation lost his argument against several probation officers involved in his case when the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the officers were protected under quasi-judicial immunity.
Hill accusers ‘pleased’ Disciplinary Commission reviewing alleged sexual misconduct
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is facing formal ethics charges from the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission, which filed a complaint against Hill on Tuesday over accusations of sexual misconduct made by four women. The attorney misconduct charges could impact Hill’s legal ability to continue serving as AG.
Justices’ ruling sparks conversation about PCR for noncitizens
Earlier this month, a 3-2 majority of the Indiana Supreme Court granted post-conviction relief to noncitizen Angelo Bobadilla, finding deficient counsel performance and prejudice. But dissenting justices raised concerns about the ruling inappropriately expanding the PCR analysis.