Legislature tinkers with new Indiana criminal code
Two different stories by two different witnesses highlighted Indiana’s continuing struggles with its new criminal code.
Marilyn Odendahl
Articles
Homeless Project enables attorneys to offer advice and guidance to shelter residents
Residents in homeless shelters in Indianapolis are receiving legal advice and guidance through the Homeless Shelter Project. The program, now administered by the Indianapolis Bar Association, sends pairs of attorneys to a handful of shelters around the city every three weeks to meet with residents needing help.
Criminal code funding bill passes House committee
The Indiana House Judiciary Committee has unanimously passed a funding bill that would provide the resources that many agree are necessary to reduce the number of nonviolent offenders who repeatedly reenter the criminal justice system.
Gitmo’s future to be discussed at IU McKinney
Guantanamo Bay and its long-term consequences will be examined during the annual symposium of the Indiana International and Comparative Law Review at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
Nominee for Southern District bench could be named by summer
The vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana could be filled by the end of the year, according to Indiana’s Democratic U.S. senator.
New part-time law school program launched at Indiana Tech
Indiana Tech Law School has started a part-time day program to allow students to obtain their J.D. in as many as seven years.
Expungement law still being perfected, legislator says
County clerks being overrun by expungement petitions are asking the Legislature to impose a filing fee to help offset the costs of processing the forms and restricting the records.
Group working to lure national medical-legal conference to Indianapolis
A group of legal and medical professionals will launch an effort Thursday to bring a super bowl – of sorts – to Indianapolis.
Law firms see overhead costs shift during past 25 years
All the modern devices and technology used by law firms these days come at a high cost and are often among the top firm expenses, according to managing partners.
Attorney reaction spurs tweaks of pro bono reporting rule
During a January lunchtime meeting of the Elkhart City Bar Association, attorneys served a plateful of questions about the state’s new mandatory pro bono reporting rule and ladled on some skepticism.
Partial-termination dispute gets full treatment from court
After nearly 19 years and five appearances before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, a dispute over retirement benefits has ended where it began and elicited an admission of mistaken interpretation from the court.
‘Dead Man Walking’ author calls for judicial reform
Sister Helen Prejean, at a recent talk at Valparaiso University, called the death penalty process “unjust.”
Valparaiso Law Dean Andrea Lyon built a career battling the death penalty
Lyon remains a passionate, unwavering opponent of capital punishment. Her career path has turned from the courtroom to education. The dean of Valparaiso University Law School maintains a strong connection to death penalty work.
Lack of evidence allows periodontists to leave office space
Having failed to produce sufficient evidence that the terms of a lease agreement had been waived, a landlord will have to allow a pair of tenants to vacate the property with no financial penalty.
Mock trial volunteers needed
Indiana attorneys are being offered the opportunity to show off their judicial skills. The Indiana Bar Foundation is seeking lawyers to volunteer as judges during the 2015 Indiana High School Mock Trial Competition.
Severely injured worker allowed to make case to jury
A man who sustained life-changing injuries from a workplace accident is entitled to have his day in court to present his claims to a jury, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled.
House committee to hear magistrate bills
Bills that would provide magistrates for three circuit courts in Southern Indiana are scheduled to be considered Jan. 21 by the Indiana House of Representatives Courts and Criminal Code Committee.
ILAS annual fundraising campaign nearing goal
The Indianapolis Legal Aid Society is making a final push in its 2014 holiday dollar campaign, hoping to entice late donors and surpass the record amount donated during the 2013 effort.
Strong smell of marijuana makes strip search justified
Although the man was arrested for a misdemeanor, the strong odor of marijuana that engulfed him gave law enforcement officers justification to conduct a strip search and did not violate his constitutional rights.
Regional mock trial and moot court competitions need volunteer judges
Volunteers are needed to serve as judges for the moot court and mock trial competitions to be held as part of the Midwest Black Law Students Association’s conference next month in Indianapolis.