Judge rejects bail for suspect in Gary double-slaying
A judge has rejected bail for an Indianapolis man accused in the fatal shootings of a Gary woman and her 13-year-old son.
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COA affirms man’s attempted child molestation conviction, sentence
The attempted child molestation conviction and six-year executed sentence for a man who victimized his live-in girlfriend’s twin daughters will stand, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday, rejecting his claims that certain testimony should not have been allowed and his eight-year sentence was inappropriate.
Mueller: I did not clear Trump of obstruction of justice
Robert Mueller on Wednesday bluntly dismissed President Donald Trump’s claims of total exoneration in the federal probe of Russia’s 2016 election interference. The former special counsel told Congress he explicitly did not clear the president of obstructing his investigation.
Web Exclusive: ‘Low bono’ clinic seeks to fill access-to-justice gap
Growing up in a five-person home, Bloomington attorney Jamie Sutton’s family had an on-again, off-again relationship with welfare and social assistance programs. His firm, Justice Unlocked, offers “low-bono” services — representation on a sliding fee scale that low- to middle-income individuals who earn too much to qualify for pro bono services can afford.
Damon Leichty takes ‘quiet confidence’ to federal judiciary
The U.S. Senate approved Damon Leichty on an 85-10 vote, sending the South Bend Barnes & Thornburgh partner to fill the last vacancy in Indiana’s federal judiciary and making him the fourth judge confirmed to Indiana’s federal bench since last August.
Purdue ruling first in flood of campus sex assault appeals
As the number of lawsuits filed by male college students fighting expulsion for alleged sexual assaults grows, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has finally weighed in, reviving a case against Purdue University after it found that the Boilermakers’ disciplinary process for determining guilt “fell short of what even a high school must provide a student facing a days-long suspension.”
Disciplinary Actions
Read who has recently been suspended, placed on probation and reinstated to the practice of law in Indiana.
Step-by-step: 3 counties get extra judicial resources this year from General Assembly
Every fall, judicial representatives from several Indiana counties travel to the Statehouse to make the same plea: Our caseloads are growing and our litigants are waiting, the judges tell lawmakers. We need more help, and we need your permission to get it.
Cold beer safe, but is Indiana’s live-here, sell-here law on ice?
In late June, the U.S. Supreme Court notified Tennessee that it was last call for the state’s liquor sales residency requirement — a law similar to statutes on Indiana’s books.
Medically induced disputes causing some heartburn
While the debate rages over the safety of immunizations, family law attorneys in Indiana say that issue is rarely a source of discord between divorced, separated or unmarried parents. However, arguments over medications and doctor’s appointments happen frequently, such as claims that a former spouse goes to the doctor every time the child has a sniffle or others asserting their child should have been taken to an urgent care center instead of the emergency room.
A big plus: Improved child support calculators aid lawyers, parents
Newly updated versions of the state’s child support calculators went live July 1, drawing surprise and praise from family law attorneys.
Conflicting opinions: Amid call to abolish city, town courts, proponents say venues have value
If you’ve ever been cited for violating a local ordinance, odds are you’ve ended up in a city or town court. While there have been calls to abolish them, the small-matter venues also have their defenders.
Cooper out, county moving on
Former Johnson County Prosecutor Bradley Cooper told his domestic violence victim and former fiancée in court on July 17, “I did it. I did it all,” as a judge accepted his guilty plea to felony counts that terminated his ability to serve in his elected office and jeopardize his license to practice law. Cooper’s longtime deputy, Joe Villanueva, was sworn in the same day as interim prosecutor.
Pencils being replaced by tapping, highlighting and swiping
The writing sample traditionally given at the end of the LSAT, when candidates are usually mentally fatigued and no longer able to legibly scribble their thoughts, could draw new attention from law schools as the entrance exam switches to a digital format. The test will go all-digital beginning in September.
Suspended Indianapolis attorney charged with theft
An Indianapolis attorney who was charged two years ago with indecency and public nudity after allegedly exposing himself to two high school girls basketball teams has been accused of taking more than $53,000 from a client. Raymond Fairchild has been charged with theft as a Level 5 felony for allegedly taking $53,226.35 from the proceeds of a client’s litigation settlement, according to a release from Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry’s office.
Fired Zamboni driver loses discrimination appeal
A Zamboni driver that was fired after crashing the machine in an ice rink lost his appeal when the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals concluded he failed to prove his employer failed to accommodate his disability.
7th Circuit upholds enhanced sentence under Armed Career Criminal Act
A convicted drug offender has lost an appeal of his enhanced sentence after failing to convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that the enhancement was improper because his former cocaine dealing conviction was not a predicate “serious drug offense” under the Armed Career Criminal Act.
Judge Jacobs to return to Clark County bench next week
Clark Circuit Judge Bradley Jacobs, one of two judges wounded in an early-morning shooting in downtown Indianapolis in May, will return to the bench next week, the Indiana Supreme Court announced in an order Tuesday.
Widower can seek excess damages in med-mal complaint, COA rules
A widower may pursue excess damages from the Indiana Patient’s Compensation Fund upon the Indiana Court of Appeals’ finding that nothing in the Medical Malpractice Act requires him to accept a settlement offer from the doctor he alleged was responsible for his wife’s death.
COA affirms breach of contract, reverses malicious prosecution rulings
The Indiana Court of Appeals has partially affirmed a ruling against an automotive maintenance company in a breach of contract dispute with its landlord, while reversing in the company’s favor on its malicious prosecution claims.