Indiana Court of Appeals elects Elizabeth Tavitas as chief judge
She succeeds Robert Altice Jr., who served as chief judge from January 2023 through December 2025.
Judge Elizabeth Tavitas
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Innovation Initiative’s Family Law Taskforce submits recommendations to Supreme Court
With an ultimate goal of improving access to justice in family law cases, the Family Law Taskforce of the Indiana Supreme Court’s Innovation Initiative nailed down more than a dozen recommendations, with five being considered “essential for reform.” Now, that final report is headed to the Indiana justices.
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Web Exclusive: COA considering legislation limiting child sex abuse victim depositions
A one-year-old law is before the Indiana Court of Appeals, which is considering whether the Legislature properly placed restrictions on when defense attorneys can take a deposition of a minor child alleged to be a victim of a sex crime.
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Female judges encourage women to seek out the bench, become ‘seed planters’
Women who aspire to become judges need mentors and role models to help show the way. One longtime Indiana appellate judge shared the value of such encouragement that speaks to the experience of many female jurists: “She saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. That caused me to apply.”
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Articles
Appeals court to hear oral arguments in Greenwood Park Mall shooting lawsuit
Simon Property Group, the mall’s owner, argues that the circumstances do not amount to a negligence claim against Simon because mass shootings at a business are not normally to be expected.
Appellate court affirms convictions, habitual offender adjudication following community emergency
The state proved beyond a reasonable doubt that a Clark County man knowingly exerted unauthorized control over a motor vehicle and provided sufficient evidence for his felony auto theft conviction, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed Monday.
No error in granting custody to grandmother instead of father, COA affirms
A father who lost custody of his children failed to convince the Court of Appeals of Indiana that the trial court erred by granting custody to the children’s grandmother.
2nd CHINS finding upheld, but contempt ruling against father reversed
A CHINS adjudication was not erroneous, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled, but a contempt finding against a father was.
Tavitas recognized as ‘courageous’ judge by National Judicial College
Court of Appeals of Indiana Judge Elizabeth Tavitas has received national recognition for her “courage” in upholding the rule of law.
Factual issues need resolution in Hamilton County billboard dispute, COA rules in reversal
A factfinding hearing must be held regarding the state’s removal of a billboard sign along U.S. 31 before a trial court can decide if a taking occurred or enter an order of appropriation, the Court of Appeals of Indiana ruled Wednesday.
‘Joint physical custody’ means equal parenting time in divorce case, COA rules in reversal
A dissolution decree did not award the equal parenting time that a mother and father had agreed to, resulting in a reversal from the Court of Appeals of Indiana.
Probation department entitled to quasi-judicial immunity on estate’s negligence claim, COA rules
The Marion Superior Court Probation Department is entitled to immunity against the negligence claim brought by the estate of a man who was killed by a juvenile on probation, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled.
Jury instructions, verdict not erroneous in car crash negligence case, COA affirms
A motorist whose vehicle was rear-ended proved negligence on the other driver’s part but was also partially at fault, the Court of Appeals of Indiana affirmed Tuesday, also upholding the jury instructions.
Man convicted of murder of pregnant Indy pastor’s wife loses appeal
The man convicted of the 2015 murder of a pregnant Indianapolis pastor’s wife has lost his argument on appeal that inadmissible statements to law enforcement undercut his convictions of murder and other charges.
Murder, attempted robbery convictions upheld after shooting during marijuana deal
Despite an improper jury instruction, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has upheld murder and attempted robbery convictions in a case involving a drug deal turned deadly.
COA overturns dangerous possession delinquency adjudication on double jeopardy grounds; panel disagrees on Wadle analysis
A dangerous-possession-of-a-firearm delinquency adjudication has been overturned on double jeopardy grounds, but the Court of Appeals of Indiana also upheld the juvenile’s criminal recklessness adjudication.
No proof man intended to deal meth, split COA rules in reversal
There was no evidence that a man intended to sell the methamphetamine found in his possession during a traffic stop, a split Court of Appeals of Indiana ruled Wednesday in reversing a dealing conviction.
COA hears arguments on motion to suppress as part of ‘Behind the Curtain’ event
As part of a daylong event designed to increase educators’ understanding of the Indiana judicial branch, the Court of Appeals of Indiana on Wednesday heard arguments in a case involving the admission of evidence collected during a traffic stop.
Man who shot into neighbor’s house loses appeal of convictions, sentence
A man who shot a gun into his neighbor’s house has failed in his attempt to convince the Court of Appeals of Indiana to overturn his convictions or five-year sentence.
COA upholds convictions, 40-year sentence for man convicted of robbing, beating 85-year-old woman
A man convicted of breaking into an elderly woman’s home and severely beating her could not convince the Court of Appeals of Indiana that his felony convictions or sentence should be overturned.
COA affirms arson conviction, rejects mistrial, evidence arguments
A man convicted of setting fire to his sister’s property failed to convince the Court of Appeals of Indiana that the trial court erred in denying his request for a mistrial or in admitting “silent witness” evidence.
Jury instructions, probation conditions in child molestation case upheld at COA
A trial court did not violate a convicted child molester’s rights with its jury instructions or abuse its discretion by imposing probation conditions that limit the man’s contact with children, the Court of Appeals of Indiana affirmed Thursday.
‘Special condition’ prohibiting mental health patient from consuming alcohol, drugs during outpatient treatment not supported by evidence, COA rules in partial reversal
Agreeing to consider a mental health commitment case despite the patient’s release, a split Court of Appeals of Indiana has reversed the imposition of a special condition prohibiting the patient from consuming alcohol or drugs during his outpatient treatment.