Reversal: Drugs found in sock not admissible
Three Clark County drug convictions were overturned Thursday after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined drug evidence found in a suspect’s sock should not have been admitted.
Misdemeanor
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Gun found in vehicle inventory erroneously admitted, COA rules
A man’s conviction for driving on a suspended license will stand, but the Indiana Court of Appeals vacated his conviction for carrying a handgun without a license on finding a search of his vehicle was not pursuant to departmental routine or regulation.
Conflicting opinions: Amid call to abolish city, town courts, proponents say venues have value
If you’ve ever been cited for violating a local ordinance, odds are you’ve ended up in a city or town court. While there have been calls to abolish them, the small-matter venues also have their defenders.
Semi driver charged in weekend I-465 crash that killed 3
A Missouri semitrailer driver was in court Thursday to face multiple felony charges resulting from a weekend crash in a construction zone on Interstate 465 that killed an Indianapolis mother and her 18-month-old twin daughters.
Justices reverse conviction over incomplete advisement forms
A Knox County man had his misdemeanor conviction overturned after the Indiana Supreme Court found he did not validly waive his right to a jury trial. Justices also used the ruling to advise trial courts of best practices in misdemeanor cases.
New laws take aim at those who post ‘revenge porn’
Two new Indiana laws are taking aim at people who post intimate images from previous or current relationships online without consent. The laws separately provide criminal charges against those who post “revenge porn” and civil remedies for those victimized by it.
11 counties testing Indiana’s bail bond relief pilot program
Officials in Porter County and 10 other Indiana counties are testing a risk-assessment program to determine whether people who have been arrested should be required to post bail while awaiting trial. The pilot is expected to roll out statewide next year.
Woman faces DWI charge after wrong-way crash into ISP patrol car
A southern Indiana woman is facing a drunken driving charge after she allegedly drove the wrong way on a highway and crashed into a trooper's patrol car.
COA: Traffic stop resulting in arrest wasn’t unconstitutionally extended
Convictions have been upheld for a man who was driving while suspended after an appellate panel rejected his argument that evidence of his suspension was obtained during an unconstitutional extension of a traffic stop.
Brazil assistant police chief faces DUI charges
The assistant police chief of a western Indiana community has been arrested for driving under the influence.
3 Fair Oaks dairy animal cruelty suspects identified
Authorities released the names Tuesday of three former employees of a large northwestern Indiana dairy farm who were charged with animal cruelty after the release of undercover video showing workers kicking and throwing calves.
Woman gets unsupervised probation for leaving racist letter
A woman who police say admitted leaving a racist letter at the home of a family with a biracial son has been sentenced to 180 days of unsupervised probation.
Former officer pleads guilty to battery for punching suspect
A former Fort Wayne police officer has pleaded guilty to battery and resigned after authorities say he punched a man who refused to have his blood drawn for a drunken driving investigation.
Driving while suspended conviction reversed; gun evidence upheld
Evidence of a gun found inside a truck during a traffic stop was not suppressed despite a man’s appeal, but his conviction for driving while suspended was vacated by an appellate court after both parties agreed there was insufficient evidence to support it.
Double jeopardy principles not violated in OWI enhancement
A man with a record for driving under the influence was denied in his appeal to correct his enhanced sentence as a result of his adjudication as a habitual vehicle substance offender. An appellate court affirmed no double jeopardy violation in relying on his prior convictions to support the adjudication.
Holcomb signs bill allowing regional public defender services
Public defender reforms, including allowing public defenders in multiple counties to pool resources, were signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Indiana traffic fine amnesty bill approved by lawmakers
Indiana residents with suspended driver’s licenses or unpaid traffic fines will have the chance to have the fees they face cut in half by petitioning a court. An estimated 185,000 drivers could be eligible for the penalty reductions.
Animal cruelty penalties measure heads to Holcomb’s desk
People convicted of animal cruelty could face higher penalties under a bill that’s headed to Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desk.
Criminal penalties for revenge porn may become law
Efforts to hold revenge porn perpetrators criminally accountable advanced Monday after the Indiana House of Representatives voted 95-0 in favor of legislation that would criminalize the posting of nonconsensual pornography.
Revenge porn civil remedy bill advances in Senate
Although a measure that would offer civil remedies to revenge porn victims easily passed a Senate Judiciary committee Monday, questions were raised as to whether parents of teen victims could take action against the perpetrator’s parents to gain relief.