Trump taps D.C. Circuit Judge Kavanaugh for SCOTUS
President Donald Trump on Monday night nominated conservative District of Columbia Circuit Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States.
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Public gets access to more trial court case documents Aug.1
Increased public access to court records will begin August 1, the Indiana Supreme Court said in an order Friday, after hearing recommendations from an advisory task force on remote access to and privacy of electronic court records.
Judge drops suit of church that wants pot to be sacrament
A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a pot-smoking Indianapolis church that wants marijuana to be recognized as a sacrament. The 3-year-old suit filed by the First Church of Cannabis was dismissed Friday.
Criminal defense attorney charged with drunken driving
A prominent Indianapolis criminal defense attorney has been charged with drunken driving. David Hennessy was formally charged Thursday with Class A misdemeanor operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person and Class C misdemeanor operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration between 0.08 and 0.15.
Carmel swim coach faces federal charges for child porn, sexual exploitation of a minor
A suburban Indianapolis swim coach is facing federal charges alleging he shot video of himself having sex with one of his athletes. Prosecutors said Thursday that 29-year-old John C. Goelz has been charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography.
Indiana GOP leaders call on Hill to resign as lawmaker comes forward with groping claims
Amid calls for Republican Attorney General Curtis Hill to resign amid groping allegations made by four women, including a lawmaker, at an Indianapolis bar, the lawmaker in question has come forward to share her side of the story. Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster, said Friday that Hill slid his hands down her back and grabbed her bare buttocks at a party on March 15.
Call for AG Hill to resign arises amid harassment investigation
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill was investigated this year after four women claimed he touched them inappropriately at a bar. Hill was investigated by the same law firm that recently drew an ethics complaint for its handling of a separate investigation that cleared a powerful Ohio lawmaker. Meanwhile, Indiana’s Democratic Party leader has called on Hill to resign.
New Indiana laws ban eyeball tattoos, protect renting rights
Indiana lawmakers entered this year’s session with limited ambitions when compared to years past. They still passed dozens of new laws. And while many of the most attention-grabbing ideas — like legal Sunday retail alcohol sales — were already enacted, more took effect Sunday.
Justices reinstate manslaughter charge in Larkin case
John Larkin, whose manslaughter charge in connection to the 2012 shooting death of his wife was dismissed, will once again face the trial court after Indiana Supreme Court justices found the dismissal to be “an extreme remedy” for police and prosecutorial misconduct and an abuse of the trial court’s discretion.
ISBA: Free legal assistance available to flood victims
The Indiana State Bar Association and Indiana Legal Services are offering free legal assistance to victims of recent severe storm flooding in southeast and northwest Indiana.
Supreme Court deals big setback to labor unions
The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining, dealing a serious financial blow to organized labor.
St. Joseph prosecutor Cotter named IPAC chairman
St. Joseph County prosecutor Kenneth P. Cotter has begun his term as chairman of the board of directors of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council.
New laws for 2018
The Indiana General Assembly this year adopted new laws on matters from Sunday carryout sales to designating Say’s Firefly as the official state insect. Here is the complete list of enrolled acts signed into law this year.
Indiana Court decisions – June 7-20, 2018
Read Indiana appellate decisions from the most recent reporting period.
DCS report confirms parent drug use surging child welfare cases
A review of Indiana’s troubled child welfare agency confirms what advocates have long said: Parental drug abuse has led to a surge in children removed from their homes.
E-filing now available in Montgomery County
Electronic filing is now available in more than 40 civil and criminal case types in the Montgomery Circuit and Superior Courts. By August 21, e-filing will be mandatory for attorneys in the Montgomery County courts for all subsequent and initial filings in case types that allow it.
Judges request public input on child support guidelines
The Domestic Relations Committee of the Judicial Conference of Indiana is seeking public comment on Indiana’s current child support guidelines. The committee will hold a public hearing at 10 a.m. on Aug. 17 in the Supreme Court Courtroom on the third floor of the Indiana Statehouse to discuss the guidelines and is also accepting written comments.
7th Circuit begins search for bankruptcy judge ahead of Lorch retirement
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has begun the search for the next Indiana Southern District Bankruptcy Court judge as a current judge prepares to retire.Judge Basil J. Lorch III will soon vacate his position at the Southern District Bankruptcy Court after announcing his retirement in 2016.
Justices appoint Lake Superior judge pro tempore
Lake Superior Court Judge Diane Kavadias Schneider will temporarily step down from her seat on the bench after informing the court she would be unable to perform the duties of her office. Serving in her place as judge pro tempore will be attorney Stephen A. Tyler.
Congress told more Southern District judges needed
Judicial leaders reiterated the urgent need for additional judgeships in the Southern District of Indiana and elsewhere before a House subcommittee Thursday. The Southern District is struggling under the weight of increasing caseloads and saw a 30 percent increase in cases in 2017.