Gary woman jailed after fatal fire seeks mental health treatment
A Gary woman jailed on neglect charges after her two young children died in a March apartment building fire is seeking additional mental health treatment.
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Model law firm ‘impairment’ policies withdrawn from ABA annual meeting discussion
A resolution that would have updated current guidelines for how the legal community should address lawyer impairment was withdrawn from the American Bar Association House of Delegate’s schedule before it could be discussed at the annual meeting on Monday.
Insanity defense allowed for man in trooper shooting
A Clark County judge will allow a southern Indiana man to use an insanity defense when he goes on trial for shooting a state trooper in the head during a traffic stop. The defendant showed early signs of dementia, a mental health provider said.
Opioid summit focuses on treatment, best judicial practices
Almost 1,000 people including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement officers, community leaders and medical professionals on Wednesday attended the Statewide Opioid Summit: A Medication Assisted Treatment and Addictions Primer for Justice Professionals.
‘Let us begin:’ Ground broken for Indy Criminal Justice Center
The ceremonial groundbreaking of the new Marion County Criminal Justice Center was more than the symbolic start of construction, Indianapolis City-County Council President Vop Osili said — it was the start of the city taking a groundbreaking step toward criminal justice reform.
Indiana court pilot project helps woman gain independence
Jamie Beck’s journey from being confined in a nursing home to living in her own apartment and working a full-time job was aided by a pilot project funded by the American Bar Association and run through the Indiana state court administration.
Lack of inmate program recommendation no issue on appeal, COA rules
A man sentenced to six years in prison for battering his father lost his argument on appeal that the trial court failed to recommend him for participation in a substance abuse treatment program. Placement in such programs are left to the discretion of the Department of Correction, the court noted.
Dozens arrested outside Indianapolis home of HHS chief Azar
Police say 26 demonstrators, some in wheelchairs, were arrested Sunday for trespassing outside the Indianapolis home of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar.
National court leaders gather in Indy to discuss opioid crisis
Court leaders from across the country met in Indianapolis on Tuesday to brainstorm how the judiciary can best respond to the nation’s opioid epidemic. Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush co-chairs the National Judicial Opioid Task Force.
Study: Gun removal law reduces suicides in Indiana
An Indiana law allowing authorities to temporarily remove guns from those considered a risk to others or themselves has helped reduce the state’s firearm-related suicides, according to a University of Indianapolis study.
Justices: Attorneys can’t waive clients’ right to attend commitment hearings
A man whose attorney waived his right to be present at his mental health civil commitment hearing will be released from involuntary commitment after the Indiana Supreme Court ruled that attorneys may not waive a client’s right to be present at those hearings. The court also found that trial courts can independently waive a respondent’s presence but must do so at the beginning of a civil commitment proceeding.
Ex-officer pleads guilty but mentally ill after 2016 crash
A former Lake County sheriff’s officer who authorities say struck and killed a man with his squad car while intoxicated at the 2016 Gary Air Show has pleaded guilty but mentally ill.
Report: Law changes could help combat Indiana opioid crisis
Indiana University experts who assessed the state's opioid epidemic have made recommendations for how Indiana can better address the crisis.
Supreme Court hears insanity argument in shooting death of pastor
The May 2012 shooting of the Bethel Community Church pastor left the Southport community shaken. Admitted killer Lori Barcroft was twice found guilty but mentally ill in the shooting death of Jaman Iseminger, but as it stands now, she is not guilty by reason of insanity after a second Indiana Court of Appeals reversal.
Cumberland mental health crisis team among first in state
The Cumberland Police Department initiated the Cumberland Assertive Response and Engagement Team in January. The CARE Team is designed by Chief Michael Crooke to help those suffering from mental illness and addiction by providing resources to them and their families.
Hill meets Trump on gun reform, points out Indiana ‘Red Flag Law’
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill met with President Donald Trump to discuss school safety and gun reform on Wednesday, the same day he announced a public safety campaign to remind Hoosier law enforcement of a law enabling them to seize firearms from dangerous individuals without filing criminal charges.
Kiritsis film recalls insanity defense reform
As a new documentary on the notorious Tony Kiritsis kidnapping case in Indianapolis wins critical acclaim, attorneys who worked on the case note it was an impetus for insanity defense reforms that swept the nation.
USA Gymnastics sets up fund for athletes abused by Nasser
Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics has established a fund that it says is designed to assist gymnasts who were victims of former sports doctor Larry Nassar.
Judge to rule on motion to dismiss prisoners’ labor trafficking, ADA claims
Prisoners in the New Castle Correctional Facility’s Mental Health Unit are fighting a motion to dismiss their complaint against the private contractor that operates the facility, alleging they sufficiently pleaded facts to support their claims of involuntary servitude, peonage and labor trafficking.
Kiritsis film release set for anniversary of hostage crisis
“Dead Man’s Line,” a new documentary about the Feb. 8, 1977 kidnapping of Indianapolis mortgage broker Richard O. “Dick” Hall by Anthony G. “Tony” Kiritsis, is scheduled for release on the 41st anniversary of the event.