Divided Supreme Court reinstates parental termination order
The Indiana Court of Appeals impermissibly reversed termination of a father’s parental rights, a majority of the Indiana Supreme Court ruled Friday in reinstating a trial court order.
Dave Stafford
Articles
Institute analyzing proposed sites for Marion County criminal justice complex
The Indiana University Public Policy Institute is analyzing proposed sites for a Marion County Criminal Justice Complex and may reveal its findings by the end of next week.
ABA: Valpo Law enrollment surges; McKinney, ND down; Maurer ticks up
First-year law school enrollment jumped 28 percent this academic year at Valparaiso University Law School, according to data from the American Bar Association.
Judge Kimberly Brown removed from bench by justices
The Indiana Supreme Court removed Marion Superior Judge Kimberly Brown from the bench Tuesday after finding she “engaged in significant judicial misconduct.” The judge had been on paid suspension since Jan. 9 pending final discipline.
Judge’s pending retirement leaked in clerk applicant’s letter
News of Indianapolis-based 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge John Tinder’s retirement about a year from now came in a way he didn’t expect. And while he won’t be hearing cases in real life afterward, he may be available to play a judge on TV if the opportunity arises.
Justices suspend David Wyser, former Brizzi deputy prosecutor
Former Marion County Deputy Prosecutor David Wyser, who pleaded guilty last year to bribery in a federal public-corruption probe, has been suspended from the practice of law.
Mom and pop store can’t proceed pro se in Coach trademark lawsuit
The owners of a southern Indiana general store accused in a federal lawsuit of selling knockoff high-end Coach-brand products may not represent pro se their incorporated general store named in the suit.
Killer’s 50-year conspiracy sentence vacated as double jeopardy
The sentence of a man convicted of killing his ex-wife was reduced by 50 years Tuesday when the Indiana Court of Appeals granted in part his petition for post-conviction relief.
Indiana joins brief seeking to halt EPA-led plan to clean up Chesapeake Bay
Decades of squabbles over cleaning up one of America’s most historic but polluted waters resulted in an agreement between states and the federal government that supporters say could restore the Chesapeake Bay to a swimmable, fishable national treasure. But if Indiana and other states without a direct stake in the Chesapeake have their way, the cleanup hashed out between bay states and the Environmental Protection Agency will be stopped.
Campus fraternity chapter may be liable for alleged hazing injury
A Wabash College fraternity pledge’s injury claim resulting from alleged hazing, ruled on recently by the Indiana Supreme Court, turned not on whether he was hazed inside the frat house, but on who may be liable.
No relief in sight for busy Southern District judges
Judges of the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Indiana are among the nation’s busiest. They have been for years, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
Justices to review sanctions in false emergency detention report
The Indiana Supreme Court will review a case in which the Court of Appeals tossed an indirect civil contempt of court finding but let stand fines against a nurse accused of making false statements about the mental health of a co-worker that led to emergency detention.
Injunction denial stands in Notre Dame contraception case
A divided 7th Circuit Court of Appeals panel affirmed denial of a temporary injunction sought by the University of Notre Dame to block enforcement of the contraception mandate contained in the Affordable Care Act.
Evidence of victim’s prior offenses rightly excluded
A man convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison for a brutal attack that left his 77-year-old victim hospitalized for months failed to persuade the Court of Appeals that evidence of the victim’s prior offenses had been wrongly excluded at his trial.
Court video online raises call for blanket cellphone policy
Another recent incident of video streamed online that could compromise criminal courts has led judges in Marion County to consider a blanket policy restricting cellphone use in courtrooms.
City evaluating Criminal Justice Complex proposals
A representative of Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard told Marion Superior judges Friday that the site of a proposed Criminal Justice Complex is still under consideration, as is who might be considered to build the facility.
Judge lets second suit alleging BMV overcharges proceed
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles must answer a second complaint alleging the agency overcharged Hoosiers millions of dollars on almost 30 types of licenses or registrations, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Judge strikes Bloomington smoke-detector ordinance; similar measure pends in Indy
A judge’s recent ruling that struck a Bloomington ordinance requiring hard-wired smoke detectors in rental properties comes as the Indianapolis City-County Council considers raising the requirements for all dwellings in Marion County.
Troubled Clark County Drug Court suspended
Claims that drug court participants in Clark County were jailed for months without cause and subjected to unauthorized searches and arrests by drug court staff have led the Indiana Judicial Center to suspend the problem-solving court in Jeffersonville.
Valpo attorney charged with $1.6M theft held in contempt in civil suit
A Porter County lawyer allegedly stole more than $1.6 million from four companies owned by a client he represented for decades, according to criminal charges filed against him.