Divided high court affirms DNA unnecessary to establish paternity
Indiana Supreme Court justices split 3-2 in affirming that DNA evidence is not required to establish paternity.
Dave Stafford
Articles
7th Circuit affirms 5-year sentence in arson-for-hire
A woman sentenced to serve five years in prison for recruiting another man to set fire to her home didn’t receive an unjust sentence even though it was three to four times longer than federal guidelines, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday.
Justices uphold ruling for insurer in negligence claim
Homeowners’ claims after a fire that their insurer was negligent because a policy didn’t fully cover replacement costs was time-barred because the policy limits were discoverable at the time the policy was issued, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
State seeks further discipline against suspended lawyer Paul Page
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission has filed a complaint against suspended Indianapolis attorney and developer Paul Page that could result in further sanctions against his law license.
Former JA boss loses defamation appeal naming FedEx, 500 Festival
The former head of Junior Achievement of Central Indiana failed Thursday in his bid to reinstate defamation claims against a business and a nonprofit that owned computers from which critical comments about him were posted online.
Same-sex couple’s bid for recognition expedited due to grave illness
The chief federal judge in Indianapolis quickly summoned lawyers to address a same-sex couple’s emergency request that Indiana recognize their Massachusetts marriage because one of the women is gravely ill.
Court upholds Plymouth pay policy challenged by reservist
The city of Plymouth’s policy on longevity pay withstood a challenge by a police officer who unsuccessfully claimed he was entitled to the full benefit rather than a prorated share for time he spent deployed as a U.S. Air Force Reservist.
Justices strike down partial consecutive sentences
Indiana trial court judges do not have discretion to impose partial consecutive sentences, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.
Wine bar’s programmable cards not subject to tax exemption
An Indianapolis wine bar’s programmable cards that customers purchase to dispense samples are not subject to resale tax exemption, the Indiana Tax Court ruled Monday.
Court affirms custody modification after mom’s move
A Vincennes father lost his appeal of a modification of custody order that granted sole physical custody to his child’s mother after she moved 180 miles away to start a new family with her fiancé.
Three-way opinion affirms marijuana conviction
Three Court of Appeals judges each wrote opinions but affirmed a Grant County man’s conviction of Class D felony possession of marijuana.
Judgment for IRS reversed, remanded
A trial court was not the proper forum to grant summary judgment in favor of the Internal Revenue Service in a dispute over a land contract that had been an issue in a prior bankruptcy case, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday.
COA affirms denial of additional unemployment benefits
A woman whose unemployment benefits stopped after 26 weeks was not improperly denied an extension because she continued to work a part-time job of about four to eight hours a week, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled.
Contempt affirmed for man suspected of drunken driving
A man who authorities said refused to comply with a court-ordered blood draw for suspicion of drunken driving was rightfully found in contempt of court, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday.
Official misconduct statute focus of Hardy appeal
Whether Indiana’s official misconduct statute is unconstitutionally vague was the question before an appeals court panel Monday that heard the state argue that criminal charges should be reinstated against the fired head of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
Vehicle forfeiture order affirmed despite state’s yearlong delay
A convicted cocaine dealer failed to convince a panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals that summary judgment forfeiture of his yellow 2004 Hummer was a violation of trial rules, even though the state’s motion for summary judgment was in response to a court show cause order due to case inactivity for more than a year.
COA voids rehabilitation maintenance ordered after divorce
An ex-wife was not entitled to rehabilitation maintenance from her former husband that was approved after the dissolution of their marriage, a panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.
Appeals court vacates lesser drug conviction as double jeopardy
A Paoli man convicted of multiple drug offenses had a lesser conviction vacated Tuesday by the Indiana Court of Appeals. The court let stand other convictions for which he was sentenced to an aggregate 16 years in prison.
Former GM plant endorsed for criminal justice complex
As leaders’ support tentatively coalesced around a preferred site for a new Marion County Jail and Criminal Justice Complex just west of downtown Indianapolis, they got an earful from neighbors opposed to the plan.
Firm restructures for growth
The quest for expansion at Bingham Greenebaum Doll and other large firms in Indianapolis may signal more mergers.