Disciplinary Actions — 3/7/2018
Read the latest disciplinary actions from the latest reporting period.
Tippecanoe County
Articles
Appellate court rejects constitutional challenge to synthetic drug lookalike statutes
The Indiana Court of Appeals has struck down a constitutional challenge to the state’s synthetic drug lookalike statutes, finding the statutes cannot be considered void as applied to a Tippecanoe County drug case.
Insufficient evidence leads to firearm conviction reversal
A man’s conviction of possession of a firearm as a serious violent felon was reversed Wednesday by a divided Indiana Court of Appeals, which found his signature on an underlying robbery plea agreement had not been authenticated.
Sunday booze sales coming to Indiana after Legislature OK
Indiana’s decades old ban on selling carryout alcohol on Sundays will soon be history after the Legislature signed off on a bill to repeal the Prohibition-era law.
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.
Holcomb appoints 2 women to judgeships
In his first judicial appointments of 2018, Gov. Eric Holcomb has tapped two attorneys with prosecutorial experience to serve as superior court judges in Elkhart and Tippecanoe counties.
COA: Burglary victim met definition of ‘unavailable’ at trial
Multiple felony burglary convictions have been upheld against a Tippecanoe County man after the Indiana Court of Appeals found the trial court did not err in admitting a victim’s video deposition as evidence during trial.
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.
COA upholds transfer of dog-shooting case to Warren County
The Tippecanoe Circuit Court properly surrendered jurisdiction of a dog-shooting case because none of the incidents giving rise to the case, including the shooting, took place in Tippecanoe County, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Friday.
Senate GOP makes repeal of Sunday booze sales ban a priority
Repealing Indiana’s Sunday retail alcohol sales ban is a top priority for state Senate Republicans.
Tippecanoe Superior Court judge appointed to circuit court
A Tippecanoe County judge will retain jurisdiction over both the superior and circuit courts while a successor to his previous seat on the superior court bench is being sought.
60 senior judges certified for 2018
The Indiana Supreme Court has certified 60 judicial officers as senior judges for the coming year.
School district cleared after teacher convicted of child seduction
A northern Indiana school corporation has been cleared of legal wrongdoing in the events leading up to the arrest of a high school teacher who was having a sexual relationship with a student. A district court judge granted the school district’s motions for summary judgment on Thursday.
Tippecanoe prosecutor forms animal advisory committee
Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Patrick Harrington has formed an advisory committee to help amid an increase in animal abuse cases.
Veteran loses appeal after support dog denied entry to courthouse
A disabled veteran who was barred from entering the Tippecanoe County Courthouse with a support animal lost his lawsuit against the county claiming a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Sentence, probation conditions confirmed for man convicted of incest
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed the three-year advisory sentence imposed on a man convicted of committing incest with his teenage niece and the imposition of sex offender probation conditions against the man, though one appellate judge found one of those conditions to be unduly intrusive.
COA rejects father’s argument that his kids should be CHINS
Although a Tippecanoe County father appealed the denial of a petition alleging his children were children in need of services, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled the father’s arguments as to why his children should be considered CHINS were unavailing.
Sheriff: Suspect recorded fatal shooting of wife in Indiana
Authorities in Lafayette say an Indiana man accused of killing his wife recorded audio of the shooting on a cellphone.
COA: Transgender individuals don’t have to publish intent to change gender marker
Transgender individuals in Indiana seeking to change their gender markers on their birth certificates are not required under Indiana law to publish notice of their intent to change, as there is currently no statutory authority requiring such notice, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday.
Former deputy clerk gets 2-year sentence for stealing $300,000
A northern Indiana county's former deputy clerk has been sentenced to two years in prison for stealing nearly $300,000 in county funds.