Justices deny transfer in 29 cases, split over 3
The Indiana Supreme Court denied transfer in 29 cases it reviewed last week, but split on whether to hear three of those cases.
Justices/Judges
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Business executive appointed to Judicial Nominating Commission
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.
Judge’s failure to sign commitment order splits COA
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.
Indiana lawmakers move forward with hate crime bill
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.
Leichty tackles constitutional questions at Senate Judiciary hearing
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.
Hanlon takes oath as Southern District judge
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.
New federal Judge Hanlon: ‘Centered, focused, unflappable’
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.”
Judge William Lawrence found judiciary after thrown a curve
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.
Supreme Court certifies 42 senior judges for 2019
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.
Allen Superior Court seeks magistrate judge to succeed Zent
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.
Revised vote tally flips St. Joseph race, ousting probate judge
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.
Ginsburg, 85, hospitalized after fracturing 3 ribs in fall
The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg fractured three ribs in a fall in her office at the court and is in the hospital. The court said the justice went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight after a Wednesday evening fall.
SCOTUS rejects net neutrality appeal
The Supreme Court has ended the court fight over repealed Obama-era “net neutrality” rules that required internet providers to treat all online traffic equally. The court on Monday rejected appeals from the telecommunications industry seeking to throw out a lower court ruling in favor of the “net neutrality” rules.
Sweeney to take ceremonial oath as judge next month
The Indiana Southern District Court’s newest member, Judge James R. Sweeney, will be ceremonially sworn into office next month. Sweeney’s investiture ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, at the Birch Bayh Federal Building and United States Courthouse in downtown Indianapolis.
Indiana law professors support changes to judicial conduct rules
Although they concede that more needs to be done, two Indiana law professors are applauding the recommendations on how to handle sexual harassment complaints made against the federal judiciary. Professors Charles Geyh and Jennifer Drobac, offered their comments as part of the public hearing to consider the proposed changes to the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges and the Rules for Judicial-Conduct and Judicial-Disability Proceedings.
New lawyers told to remember lessons from home
The 2018 Indiana bar swearing-in ceremony had a definite family feel as leaders in the Indiana legal profession prompted the new attorneys to remember to be polite, to listen and to always help others whenever they can.
Jury award of $21M in drunk driving crash upheld
A Marion County jury’s award of more than $21 million to a passenger rendered paraplegic when an intoxicated friend crashed his truck after a night of drinking was upheld Friday by the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Sandra Day O’Connor announces likely Alzheimer’s diagnosis
Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court, announced Tuesday in a frank and personal letter that she has been diagnosed with “the beginning stages of dementia, probably Alzheimer's disease.”
Retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor withdraws from public life
Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court, has stepped back from public life. The 88-year-old, for more than two decades often the deciding vote in important cases, is now fully retired and no longer makes public appearances.
Hate crimes stalemate: Statehouse study committee offers no consensus
Several hours of testimony before a legislative study committee charged with examining a potential hate crimes law for Indiana heavily underscored one central point: there are many opinions and no common ground.