Web Exclusive: Meet the Judges: Spencer Circuit Judge Jon Dartt
Growing up a block away from the Spencer County Courthouse, now-Judge Jon Dartt used to mow grass for some of the local lawyer families.
Spencer County
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Greener pastures?
Spencer County has been selected to build the first direct coal-hydrogenation refinery in the U.S., and a request has been submitted in Posey County to build a natural gas pipeline under the Ohio River into Evansville. Despite promises of cleaner energy and increased commerce, both projects are being met with opposition from environmental organizations and county residents.
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Articles
IN Supreme Court: Man should have been allowed to introduce opinion testimony in child molest case, but error was harmless
A unanimous Indiana Supreme Court agreed that a trial court erred in not admitting testimony about the character of a man’s daughter in a child molestation case. However, justices also ruled the error was harmless.
6 counties seeking additional magistrates, judges, courts
The Indiana House Courts and Criminal Code Committee gave unanimous approval Wednesday to a bill that would allow for the creation of new courts or judicial positions in six counties.
Court ruling favors permit for Spencer Co. coal-to-diesel plant project
The Marion Superior Court has affirmed an earlier ruling from the Indiana Office of Environmental Adjudication regarding the issuance of an air permit by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for Delaware-based Riverview Energy Corp.
Appellate court splits in first impression ‘he said, she said’ child molesting case
Court of Appeals of Indiana judges parted ways on an issue of first impression in a “he said, she said” child molestation case, with the majority finding that a man was not given a fair opportunity to challenge the “she said” part of the evidence.
Coal to diesel project fuels evidentiary standard argument
A plan to build the country’s first direct coal-hydrogenation refinery in southern Indiana has spawned a crop of flimsy yard signs proclaiming either support for or opposition to the project and has caused a legal argument to flourish over how much ordinary Hoosiers need to do to get their day in court.
COA rejects evidentiary challenges to Spencer Co. murder
A Spencer County man who shot and killed his girlfriend failed to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals to overturn his murder conviction on evidentiary grounds.
Appellate court declines to issue ‘advisory’ opinion in estate dispute
The Indiana Court of Appeals on Thursday granted rehearing in an estate case to reiterate that it does not issue advisory opinions.
Will dispute between siblings over family business assets remanded
A son who inherited the family business from his father must make his assets available for an appraisal after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined he may have received a “gift” subject to an abatement.
Republicans win big in Indiana from Statehouse to courthouses
Although the results of the United States presidential race were delayed well beyond Election Night, Hoosiers learned the winners of several state and local races soon after the polls closed as Republicans secured their grip on state and federal offices.
COA affirms judgment for church in neighbors’ adverse possession dispute
A church in a property dispute with its neighbor over a grassy area between the properties received an affirmation from the Indiana Court of Appeals on Friday.
Mineral-rich property transfers void in siblings’ trust dispute
A dispute between step-siblings over profitable real estate did not result in the brother’s favor Friday, when the Indiana Court of Appeals found a trial court did not clearly err in declaring transfers of the property to him as void ab initio.
Judge: Indiana environmental agency violated rules on factory permit
Indiana’s environmental agency broke its own public comment rules when it issued an air pollution permit for a planned $2.5 billion coal-to-diesel plant, an administrative law judge ruled in siding with the plant’s opponents.
Indiana lawyer faces DUI charges after announcing candidacy
An Indiana attorney was arrested on drunken driving charges in the southern Indiana community of Newburgh shortly after announcing his candidacy for the state Legislature.
2 groups appeal Indiana permit for coal-to-diesel plant
Two southern Indiana groups are appealing an air permit that state regulators recently approved for a planned $2.5 billion coal-to-diesel plant.
State court suit aims to ban Indiana death penalty
A lawsuit naming Gov. Eric Holcomb filed on behalf of a prisoner on Indiana’s death row urges a state court to issue an injunction halting capital punishment and rule that the state’s ultimate criminal penalty violates the Indiana Constitution.
Counties ask study committee for more judicial help, courts
Rising caseloads and crowded jails are prompting five Indiana counties, to date, to request more magistrates and courts.
Appeals on Wheels: COA heads south to hear arguments
The Indiana Court of Appeals will travel south next week to hear oral arguments in two cases involving convictions following the seizure of drugs and guns.
Officials warn flood victims in the state to be wary of disaster opportunists
Authorities are now warning those reeling from the floods that ravaged northern and southern Indiana against these scammers.
COA: Moving account to new brokerage doesn’t change bequest
The Indiana Court of Appeals on Thursday rejected a widow’s appeal that sought to declare her late husband’s investment account extinct because it had been moved to a new brokerage, but the move had not been amended in his will.