COA reinstates much of Gary’s welcoming ordinance
The city of Gary can roll out the welcome mat once again after the Court of Appeals of Indiana found that much of its welcoming ordinance did not violate state law.
Lake County
Articles
COA to hear oral arguments in medical privacy case for second time
A Lake County lawsuit alleging medical privacy violations when a dog groomer’s X-rays were shared in her workplace after her boss’s husband accessed them is heading back to the Court of Appeals of Indiana for arguments next week.
Plaintiffs trying to overturn Lake County JNC tap brakes on court proceeding as judicial selection moves forward
A federal court has granted a request by the plaintiffs challenging the judicial selection process in Lake County to toss their previously filed motion for a preliminary injunction, which sought to stop the local nominating commission from filling the superior court vacancy created by the death of Judge Diane Boswell. Meanwhile, the Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission is preparing for interviews with 12 candidates vying to fill the Lake Superior Court vacancy.
COA reinstates landlords’ tort claims against Hammond
A lawsuit against the city of Hammond brought by a group of corporate property landlords has been reinstated after the Court of Appeals of Indiana found the Lake Superior Court erred when it ruled their tort claims were filed in an untimely manner.
Speedy trial OK’d for Lake Co. murder suspect who fled transport van
A murder suspect who escaped from a prisoner transport van last year when its driver stopped at a fast-food restaurant in northwest Indiana will stand trial in January in a Chicago man’s slaying.
Supreme Court announces pilot program allowing news broadcasts in select courts
The Indiana Supreme Court announced last week that members of the news media will be permitted to broadcast certain in-person proceedings in five Indiana trial courts through a new pilot project starting Dec. 1.
NW Indiana man charged in taxidermy thefts from DNR office
A northwest Indiana man allegedly broke into a state office at a fish and wildlife area twice in 2018 and stole taxidermy animals, ammunition and other items, authorities said.
Broadcasting of in-person trial court proceedings permitted under new pilot program, Supreme Court announces
Members of the news media will be permitted to broadcast in-person proceedings in five Indiana trial courtrooms through a new pilot project, the Indiana Supreme Court announced Monday. The pilot also allows the rebroadcasting of live-streamed proceedings.
Lake Co. opponents of judicial selection ask court to stop process to fill Boswell vacancy
In their lawsuit contesting judicial selection in Lake County, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott along with the city of Hammond filed on Friday a motion for preliminary injunction seeking to stop the Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission from moving forward with the process to select a replacement for the late Judge Diane Boswell, who died in October.
New crime units to tackle backlog of digital evidence
Through 10 new High Tech Crime Units being established around the state, Indiana’s prosecutors say they will be getting much-needed help with the processing of digital evidence.
Eminent domain reversed for failure to give proper notice
The Gary Housing Authority, which tried to exercise eminent domain and take a property with an appraised value of $325,000 for $75,000, will have to cancel the demolition crew after the Court of Appeals of Indiana found the agency failed to give at least 30 days’ notice of its plans.
Judicial applications available to fill Lake Co. vacancy left by late Judge Boswell
The Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission is beginning the process of selecting a new Lake Superior Court judge to fill the vacancy left by the late Judge Diane Ross Boswell.
Porter Co. judge receives public admonition for bond modifications
Porter Superior Judge Christopher Buckley received a public admonition Monday for actions related to his service as a town court judge, when he modified several defendants’ bonds without giving them notice or without a motion from the prosecution.
Gary man charged in fatal shooting of trick-or-treater
A man was charged with murder Wednesday in the death of a 13-year-old boy who was killed when shots were fired at a group of trick-or-treaters on Halloween in northwestern Indiana.
Lang temporarily filling judicial seat of late Judge Boswell
Senior Judge Kathleen Lang has been appointed judge pro tempore in Lake Superior Court, Criminal Division 3, filling the seat vacated by the unexpected death of Judge Diane Ross Boswell on Oct. 19.
Credit time from dismissed sexual battery charges can’t be credited toward separate child molesting sentence, COA rules
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed Friday that a Lake County man’s request to put his credit time from a previous charge toward his current child molesting sentence was properly denied.
Apellate court affirms forfeiture of 504 tax sale certificates purchased by ineligible buyer
The Indiana Court of Appeals did not buy a Lake County man’s argument that state statute allows ineligible buyers at tax sales to avoid forfeiture by paying delinquent property taxes, finding the man had time to clear his debt but never did so.
Holcomb names 2 attorneys, 1 nonattorney to Lake Co. JNC following legislative ‘reset’
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has appointed two lawyers and one nonlawyer to the Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission, completing the selection of the JNC under controversial legislation enacted this year that changed the makeup of two judicial nominating groups.
Indiana Supreme Court told to reverse rulings against Lake County
Indiana counties and probation departments are siding with Lake County in a dispute with the state over who is required to represent and indemnify two probation officers accused of sexual misconduct and retaliation. The dispute will go before the Indiana Supreme Court on petition to transfer next week.
Lake County Judge Boswell remembered as kind, caring, vibrant woman
Lake Superior Senior Judge Diane Boswell, described as a compassionate jurist who inspired many, died unexpectedly Tuesday. She was 72.