High court sets May 20 execution date for murderer of Beech Grove police officer
A divided Indiana Supreme Court denied condemned murderer Benjamin Ritchie’s request to seek post-conviction relief.
Alexa Shrake
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Articles
Indiana Senate OKs bill to abolish 11 courts mostly in rural counties
The measure would add judges to fast-growing counties with a heavier caseload.
Appeals court to hear oral arguments in Greenwood Park Mall shooting lawsuit
Simon Property Group, the mall’s owner, argues that the circumstances do not amount to a negligence claim against Simon because mass shootings at a business are not normally to be expected.
Q&A with Rodric Bray: Indiana Senate’s top leader talks legal experience, decriminalizing marijuana
Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, an attorney, said he doesn’t see himself as dictatorial, but as a consensus builder.
State considers incentives to lure attorneys to ‘legal deserts’
The Commission on Indiana’s Legal Future made dozens of suggestions for addressing rural Indiana’s attorney shortage, including start-up grants, loan repayment and allowing paralegals to take on certain tasks.
‘Boundless energy and enthusiasm’: Judge Scheele honored at robing ceremony
Dozens gathered Friday for the Indiana Court of Appeals’ Judge Stephen Scheele’s robing ceremony in the Indiana Supreme Court Courtroom.
IN Supreme Court opens comments for proposed changes on remote hearings, electronic devices
The Indiana Supreme Court is accepting comments for two rule changes that would normalize remote hearings throughout the state and allow personal electronic devices in all courthouses.
Former Franklin County judge faces three disciplinary charges of misconduct
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications has accused a former Franklin County judge of participating in improper communications with a defendant outside the presence of the attorneys.
Green fees, fishing sponsorships among gifts to Indiana’s top judges, disclosure forms show
Some judges also reported earning outside compensation for everything from working as a stagehand at Pink and Taylor Swift concerts to serving as a board member for the Indianapolis Indians baseball team.
INjail system would be one of first in nation to link county jails statewide
Currently, 20 different jail management systems are used across the state and that makes it difficult for jailers to communicate with each other and find space to ease overcrowding.
Indiana Supreme Court to review salary dispute between local judge and Jackson County Council
Judge Richard Poynter came up with a plan to eliminate a position and split the position’s salary among other workers to provide them a raise. But the county council didn’t go along.
7th Circuit Chief Judge Sykes to transition to senior status
7th Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge Diane Sykes announced her intent to take senior status later this year.
7th Circuit denies rehearing of Indiana ban on gender-affirming care
The denial means the ban remains in effect while litigation challenging the law is still pending before the U.S. District Court in Indianapolis.
State Sen. Koch joins Gutwein Law
The move will help the firm expand to Bloomington, where Koch had a solo practice.
Dentons announces expansions to Turks and Caicos, Thailand
The global law firm, which has the sixth largest practice in the Indianapolis market, plans to combine with Griffiths & Partners, a leading law firm in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and Pisut and Partners in Thailand.
State’s high court rules student entitled to attorney fees even in partial public-records win
The Indiana Supreme Court sided with the Marion Superior Court by agreeing that a college student was entitled to attorney fees after he won a court order for one of three public records requests.
Legislative roundup: Bills on custody orders, red flag expungement inch forward
The Indiana General Assembly moved several criminal justice and court-related bills along this week, and they are getting closer to going to Gov. Mike Braun’s desk for consideration.
State’s high court overturns man’s battery conviction, finds he acted in self-defense
The ruling offers new guidance on what constitutes allowable self-defense under Indiana law.
Bills on obtaining a warrant, DNA samples clear Indiana House committee
The measures are aimed at expediting the processing of warrants and assuring DNA samples are taken at the time of a felony arrest.
More child advocates needed after dramatic pandemic plunge
Before COVID-19, there were about 5,000 CASA volunteers. Now, there are around 3,000, and the push is on to find more.