Jail chemical addiction programs show promise, but few are offered
Boone County is one of fewer than half a dozen counties in the state with a jail chemical addiction program. The program is voluntary and completely funded by court fees.
Southern Indiana
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Lawmakers backpedal on gun bills in wake of mass shooting
Republican leaders in the Indiana Legislature are backpedaling on gun rights legislation in the wake of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida — killing two measures that would have loosened firearm restrictions.
COA reinstates default judgment against Decatur Co. landlords
The Decatur Superior Court must reinstate a default judgment against a local apartment complex and its property manager after the Indiana Court of Appeals found there was no excusable neglect that would justify setting aside the default.
Sentence for ‘recidivist drunk driver’ affirmed
A southern Indiana man’s five-and-a-half-year sentence for his conviction as a habitual vehicular substance offender was affirmed by the Indiana Court of Appeals, which called him “a recidivist drunk driver whose behavior has been undeterred by his prior contacts with the criminal justice system.”
Committee chairman kills divisive payday lending bill
The chairman on an Indiana Senate committee has killed a payday lending bill that was widely opposed by veterans’ advocates and faith groups — including the Indiana House Speaker’s own church — who said that it would have legalized lending at rates of up to 222 percent.
Payday lending bill faces uncertain fate in Indiana Senate
The Republican leader of the Indiana Senate says he is opposed to legislation to expand payday lending and allow for rates more than triple what is currently permitted under the state’s criminal loansharking law.
Supreme Court remands habitual offender case considering recent decisions
The Indiana Supreme Court has remanded an appeal of a Dearborn County habitual offender enhancement considering two opinions addressing habitual offender findings, a move that comes as the Indiana General Assembly seems poised to pass a bill that would more narrowly define how out-of-state felonies should be treated when considering sentencing enhancements.
COA strikes fee collection statute drafted to benefit Bloomington, West Lafayette
A fee collection statute the city of Hammond alleged was enacted for the benefit of only two Indiana cities must be struck from Indiana law after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined Monday the statute violated special legislation restrictions in the Indiana Constitution.
Court celebrates Indiana community in marking Black History Month
Lyles Station, a community along the Patoka River in southwest Indiana, is long past its heyday of 800 residents working their farms, practicing their trades and educating their children. But as the only historic rural black settlement still standing in Indiana, its unique history is being celebrated.
COA traveling in Marion, Knox counties for arguments this week
Two Indiana appellate panels will leave the Statehouse courtroom this week to hear arguments across the state.
Former sheriff’s deputy gets 3 years for child seduction
A former sheriff’s deputy in southern Indiana has been sentenced to three years in prison on a child seduction charge.
Supreme Court upholds conviction against woman who violated pastor’s protective order
A Greene County woman convicted of violating a protective order obtained by her former pastor has lost her appeal to the Indiana Supreme Court, which found sufficient evidence to support her third invasion of privacy conviction on Friday.
St. Joseph County Election Board seeks Braun investigation
The election board in the home county of Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly wants an investigation into whether Republican candidate Mike Brain filed bogus signatures to get on the primary ballot.
Supreme Court considers whether to revise ‘illegal’ sentence
The central issue the Indiana Court of Appeals identified in its decision to reverse a man’s attempted residential entry conviction didn’t come up much during the case’s oral arguments before the Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday.
Judge ends ‘Tiger Baby Playtime’, halts cub declawing
A federal judge Monday shut down a southern Indiana attraction’s public encounters with tiger cubs. The judge also halted the declawing of tiger cubs and separating them from their mothers so they could be used in “Tiger Baby Playtime” events where people pay to mingle with declawed big cat cubs.
Indiana legislative session at halftime: what lives or died
Indiana lawmakers have reached halftime in this year’s legislative session, which has been marked more by plans deferred and legislation killed than major accomplishments.
Warrick, LaPorte judges certified as senior judges
The Indiana Supreme Court has certified two new senior judges to serve in Indiana’s trial courts.
7th Circuit reverses, orders special needs trust group to pay estate
The estate of a woman whose special needs trust was drained under questionable circumstances prevailed Wednesday before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. The founder of the organization that took the money is a suspended Indiana attorney facing charges that he stole from other clients’ trusts. The organization must now repay the estate more than $200,000.
Facebook defamation judgment may set precedent, Indiana lawyers say
Southern Indiana attorneys who won defamation damages over a defamatory Facebook post say the court’s monetary award appears to set a precedent as the first reported judgment of its kind in the nation.
Senate advances CBD legalization bill
Hoosiers are one step closer to having unrestricted access to cannabidiol, or CBD, oil after the Indiana Senate passed a bill that would allow CBD use by all Indiana residents, not just those with certain illnesses.