Rehearing upholds drug conviction resulting from traffic stop
An Indianapolis man who got a second bite at the apple could not convince the Indiana Court of Appeals his traffic stop lasted too long.
Marilyn Odendahl
Articles
Identification of defendant via phone calls and texts upheld by COA
A Grant County man argued threatening phone calls could not be linked to him, but he was unable to overcome the testimony by people who knew the sound of his voice.
Justice Boehm gets nod for special redistricting commission
Former Indiana Supreme Court Justice Ted Boehm has been given a seat on the special committee set to examine gerrymandering, a common political manipulation that he once called toxic.
Unpaid student loan splits 7th Circuit
A 7th Circuit Court of Appeals panel has split with each judge writing a separate opinion about a lawsuit brought by a student who defaulted on her school loans and then sued when the lending agency tacked on collection costs.
7th Circuit not convinced by inmate’s double jeopardy argument
A convicted sex offender who did not have the requisite certificate of appealability was still able to present his constitutional claims, but the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found no grounds to overturn his conviction and sentence.
Technology erases need for ‘ancient document’ rule
A longstanding yet rarely invoked federal rule of evidence allowed the admission of an “ancient document” if it was more than 20 years old and appeared to be authentic. However, in an age when decades-old information is easily accessible electronically, a review committee has concluded the exception could be abused.
Fired Polaris technician wins reversal at 7th Circuit
A former Indianapolis lab technician presented enough evidence to support her claims of discrimination and retaliation that the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned summary judgment in favor of her former employer.
Agreement means what it says, COA rules
While the Indiana Court of Appeals conceded the severance agreement was “not a model of precision,” it disagreed with a trial court’s conclusion that the agreement contained a mistake.
7th Circuit divided over appeal from death row inmate
A split 7th Circuit Court of Appeals denied an inmate on Indiana’s death row a chance for a new trial, finding the exclusion of a witness’s videotaped interview which could have possibly exonerated him was inadmissible as hearsay.
National MLP conference selects Indianapolis; concerned about RFRA
Just a few months after getting a national award, the medical-legal partnership program in Indiana is getting another boost.
Kennedy named to Redistricting Committee
The former executive director of the Indiana Civil Liberties Union has been appointed to a special committee charged with examining the method Indiana uses to draw legislative and congressional districts.
Class-action members did not show illnesses were caused by same meals
Although several Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. members who visited Indianapolis in 2013 all reported symptoms much like those caused by food poisoning, the Indiana Court of Appeals denied class certification, ruling the individuals did not specifically link their illnesses to the chicken served at lunch and dinner.
Long wait for cold beer decision not unusual
The 7th Circuit heard oral arguments Jan. 7, 2015, in the lawsuit challenging the state’s prohibition against convenience stores selling beer cold.
Job market somewhat improved for law school grads
The National Association for Law Placement’s new analysis of the job market heralded the first rise in the employment rate in eight years for new law school graduates. However, the uptick comes with two caveats.
Merger fever strikes
The handful of Hoosier law firms that combined during the last two years highlight a pair of emerging trends of interest to those who watch law firm merger and acquisition activity.
Paralegal registry seen as benefit for legal community
After nearly two decades of effort, Indiana has joined a growing list of states that are offering paralegals a certification that enables them to distinguish themselves in a field that has few mandatory requirements.
‘Good lawyering’ echoes through memorable career
In recognition of his dedication to the practice of law, colleagues on the bench and bar have selected attorney Donald Ward as the 2015 Indiana Bar Foundation Legendary Lawyer.
Appeal raises ire of 7th Circuit
A southern Indiana couple who tried to stop the sale of their property to satisfy delinquent state and federal taxes was unsuccessful. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals described the merits of their appeal as “feeble.&rdquo
Letter to victim’s mother supports lesser misdemeanor charge
A defendant’s rambling letter to a victim’s mother was not enough to uphold his convictions for attempted obstruction of justice and invasion of privacy, but it was sufficient to support a lesser charge.
Pawnshop owner not victim of prosecutorial misconduct
A prosecutor’s comments to a witness about what would have been helpful did not shift the burden of producing evidence onto the defendant, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.