Federal lawsuit victor puts the ‘pro’ in pro se
An ex-teacher who won a $203,840 due process jury award in his lawsuit over his termination speaks out.
Dave Stafford
Articles
LGBT equality a firm priority
Law firms have embraced equality for LGBT employees in their policies more than any other industry, and five firms with a significant presence in Indiana have earned top marks for inclusiveness, a new study reveals.
Magnus-Stinson takes helm as chief of Indiana’s Southern District
When Jane Magnus-Stinson isn’t presiding over cases in one of the busiest federal district courts in the nation, she seems to be just as busy. And her workload just increased. On Nov. 23, Magnus-Stinson began her seven-year appointment as chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
Hogsett unveils vision for jail, criminal justice reform
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett outlined his vision Monday — one he called “bold in its concept and immense in its scope” — for a new jail and a reformed criminal justice system that would prioritize mental health and addiction treatment for non-violent offenders.
Mother’s suit alleging DCS caseworker abuses proceeds
An Indiana Department of Child Services case manager who allegedly pursued meritless child-abuse allegations against an Indianapolis mother must face a federal civil lawsuit, though her DCS supervisors will not, a judge has ruled.
Lawyer’s use of word ‘Negro’ prejudiced client, but doesn’t get PCR
A defense attorney who has since been disbarred prejudiced his absent client when he referred to him as a “Negro” before potential jurors, a judge wrote, but the offending word wasn’t enough for the Court of Appeals to grant post-conviction relief.
Pence counsel seeks email secrecy
Attorneys argue to the Court of Appeals whether the state’s Access to Public Records Act should exempt governor from disclosure.
ACLU sues Franklin Township schools over Christian prayer
A man represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana has filed a lawsuit challenging the Franklin Township School Board’s alleged policy of opening meetings with exclusively Christian prayers.
Judge: Sysco must face Teamsters suit over retirement benefits
A local division of foodservice-supply giant Sysco Systems must face a lawsuit from its Teamsters workers who say the company reneged on retirement benefits negotiated through collective bargaining.
‘Moorish national’ loses appeal of house-squatting conviction
A man who identifies as a "Moorish National" sovereign citizen immune from state and federal law had no luck persuading the Indiana Court of Appeals to overturn his convictions arising from his occupancy of an Indianapolis house that was being prepared for sale after foreclosure.
Pence attorney argues public-records law shouldn’t apply to emails
An attorney for Gov. Mike Pence argued Monday that Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act should not apply to a governor’s emails, prompting the plaintiff seeking those records to call the position chilling and reminiscent of the administration of President Richard Nixon.
Lake County sheriff, Portage mayor charged in towing-bribe schemes
Lake County Sheriff and county Democratic Party Chairman John Buncich and Portage Mayor James Snyder have been indicted on public corruption and bribery charges handed down by a grand jury.
New law creates murkiness on private university police records
The Indiana Supreme Court left no doubt that it considered the Notre Dame Police Department exempt from the Access to Public Records Act when it affirmed dismissal of ESPN’s lawsuit seeking records of the department’s interactions with 275 student athletes. But a bill signed into law this year dealing with access to police body cameras could change that.
Tow company that seized, sold cars loses injunction appeal
An Indianapolis towing company whose owner worked with bankruptcy lawyers to take possession of cars when a buyer defaulted and then resell dozens of them lost its appeal of an injunction blocking the practice and ordering the cars be returned to the lienholder.
Tow company that seized, sold cars loses injunction appeal
An Indianapolis towing company whose owner worked with bankruptcy lawyers to take possession of cars when a buyer defaulted and then resell dozens of them lost its appeal of an injunction blocking the practice and ordering the cars be returned to the lienholder.
COA: Incest age defense can’t win post-conviction relief
A man convicted of incest for a consensual sexual relationship with his biological aunt couldn’t persuade the Indiana Court of Appeals that he was entitled to post-conviction relief. The man claimed ineffective assistance of counsel for failing to argue in his defense that the man’s aunt was older than 31.
Justices dismiss ESPN suit, find Notre Dame police not public agency
Notre Dame Police are not a public agency, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled Wednesday, turning back a lawsuit from ESPN that sought records of the university police’s interactions with student athletes. The ruling means Indiana’s Access to Public Records Act does not apply to university police at private institutions.
Park Tudor gets prosecution deferral after Cox case
Park Tudor School will not face further penalties arising from its handling of an investigation of former basketball coach Kyle Cox, who was convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison for trying to entice a 15-year-old student to have sex with him.
Ex-deputy’s suit against Marion County deputy prosecutor proceeds
A former Marion County deputy sheriff’s malicious prosecution lawsuit will proceed against a deputy prosecutor he claims pressed for a misconduct investigation against him at the request of a show-business connection.
New resource gives access to troves of data measures on district court judges’ orders
Litigation Analytics, a product of Bloomberg Law, will tell you how long, on average, a judge takes to rule in an employment matter, what firms frequently appear in his or her courtroom, and his or her appeal outcomes.