The Supreme Court began its term with the tumultuous confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, followed by a studied avoidance of drama on the high court bench — especially anything that would divide the five conservatives and four liberals. But when they gather in private on Friday to consider new cases for arguments in April and into next term, the justices will confront a raft of high-profile appeals.
Indiana Lawyer’s top story of 2018 began inside an Indianapolis bar in the cool early-morning hours of Thursday, March 15. Attorney General Curtis Hill had had a few drinks. A few too many, several witnesses would later claim.
The Indiana Supreme Court is seeking comment on proposed changes to trial rules that govern what happens if a trial judge fails to timely rule on a motion and that would remove Supreme Court involvement in the appointment of a special judge. The court’s Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure is considering amendments to Indiana Trial Rules 53.1 and 53.2.
The Supreme Court on Monday avoided a high-profile case by rejecting appeals from Kansas and Louisiana in their effort to strip Medicaid money from Planned Parenthood, over the dissenting votes of three justices. The court’s order reflected a split among its conservative justices and an accusation from Justice Clarence Thomas that his colleagues seemed to be ducking the case for political reasons.
Allen County Magistrate Jennifer DeGroote has been appointed by Gov. Eric Holcomb to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Allen Superior Court. DeGroote will succeed Judge Stanley A. Levine, who will retire Dec. 31.
The Indiana Department of Correction has again lost a suit in which it argues to keep secret the drugs it would use in a lethal injection. The judge in the case extraordinarily outlined how the DOC, the governor’s office, and the Indiana General Assembly appeared to directly undermine her order that the department disclose the drugs it might use in a potential execution.
An insurance company is under no obligation to defend or indemnify a southern Indiana father whose son shot and killed a man on their property, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled, reversing a trial court order denying summary judgment for the insurer.
A man who opened fire in a busy Indianapolis intersection after he claimed he was trying to make a citizen’s arrest of a suspected iPad thief was improperly convicted of one of two charges that may have constituted double jeopardy, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.
After President Donald Trump announced Kavanaugh’s nomination in July, the Judicial Crisis Network declared that it was prepared to spend as much as $10 million or more in a pro-Kavanaugh advertising campaign. It set up confirmkavanaugh.com, calling Kavanaugh “a person of impeccable character, extraordinary qualifications, independence, and fairness.”
The Indiana Supreme Court denied transfer in 29 cases it reviewed last week, but split on whether to hear three of those cases.
Indiana Innovation Institute executive vice president of strategy, partnerships and outreach Julie Griffith of Carmel has been appointed as the newest member to the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission.
For the second time in little more than one month, the Indiana Court of Appeals has addressed the issue of the Marion Superior Court ordering civil commitments by the judge summarily approving commitment orders signed by commissioners or magistrates without signing the orders. But unlike a prior ruling, the COA on Wednesday found that issue waived, though a dissenting judge argued litigants cannot waive the issue of a judge’s failure to perform a statutory duty.
Two Republican state lawmakers have released draft legislation that would address Indiana’s lack of a hate crimes law by giving judges the ability to consider bias as an aggravating factor when considering prison sentences.
Appearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary Tuesday, Damon Leichty said he was a proud Hoosier who learned much from the federal judge he clerked for and has been nominated to replace – Northern Indiana District Court Senior Judge Robert Miller, Jr. Leichty is the last federal judicial nominee to a vacancy in an Indiana court to appear before the judiciary committee.
Faegre Baker Daniels partner James Patrick Hanlon was officially sworn in as a judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana Tuesday morning, bringing the court to a full bench for the first time since 2014. Chief Judge Jane E. Magnus-Stinson administered the oath to Hanlon at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
In describing former colleague James Patrick Hanlon’s even demeanor and ability to remain cool in heated situations, Faegre Baker Daniels partner Matthew Albaugh finally had to create an original description: “not flusterable.”
Southern District Judge William Lawrence took senior status in July, capping a distinguished career that began when he switched from swinging for the fences on the diamond, culminating with him calling balls and strikes from the bench.
The Indiana Supreme Court has certified or re-certified 42 judicial officers as senior judges for the coming year. The high court re-certified 33 senior judges and gave eight trial court judges and one magistrate received initial certification.
The Allen Superior Court Criminal Division is accepting applications for a magistrate judge position that will open when Senior Magistrate David M. Zent becomes an Allen Superior Judge. Applications will be accepted to fill Zent’s seat in the Allen Superior Court Misdemeanor and Traffic Division through Nov. 30, with the position expected to be filled in December.
The St. Joseph Probate Court judge was unseated in Tuesday’s election, reversing earlier results showing Republican Judge James Fox had retained his office. Official final vote totals now show Democratic challenger Jason Cichowicz narrowly defeated Fox in the state’s closest judicial race.