Indiana Court Decisions: Oct. 20-Nov. 2, 2022
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
Court opinions
Articles
7th Circuit vacates 10-year sentence after district court wrongly dismisses evidence of drug purity
A split 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated a 10-year prison sentence for a drug dealer after finding a district court failed to address “some evidence” suggesting inaccurate drug testing.
1st amicus brief in Indiana abortion case supports ban
The Thomas More Society, based in Chicago, is the first organization to submit an amicus curiae brief in the fight over the Hoosier State’s new abortion law, which is now pending before the Indiana Supreme Court.
COA upholds admission of evidence found on juvenile after police chase
A minor who was found with drugs and a handgun after he ran from police has failed to convince an appellate panel that the evidence found on his person should be suppressed.
Supreme Court won’t consider Lake Michigan beach case
The public will keep the right to use Indiana’s Lake Michigan shoreline for recreation as the U.S. Supreme Court won’t consider arguments from nearby property owners who claimed they also owned the beach.
Abortion-rights protesters briefly interrupt Supreme Court
Protesters opposed to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning a constitutional abortion right briefly interrupted arguments at the court Wednesday and urged women to vote in next week’s elections.
Flooding dispute headed to IN Supreme Court
A dispute between a Montgomery County couple, the town of Linden and multiple county departments over whether drainage improvements resulted in a permanent physical invasion of their land will go before the Indiana Supreme Court.
Appellate court reverses delinquency adjudication for sexual battery based on insufficient evidence
The Court of Appeals of Indiana has reversed a juvenile’s delinquency adjudication for felony sexual battery after finding insufficient evidence to support the adjudication.
COA rules for distillery in spirited legal battle with distributors
The sale and distribution of alcohol — or lack thereof — sat squarely in the middle of a legal battle fought between the product’s manufacturer and distributors, with the Court of Appeals of Indiana ruling for the beverage producer.
Split COA voids juvenile’s delinquency adjudication, finds trial court failed to ensure minor knowingly waived rights
A juvenile’s delinquency adjudication for auto theft has been voided after a split Court of Appeals of Indiana found a trial court failed to ensure the child knowingly and voluntarily waived his rights when he admitted to the offense.
Reversal: Construction company entitled to interest, attorney fees after $58K verdict
A home construction company that won a $58,500 verdict against a former client is also entitled to prejudgment interest and attorney fees, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled, overturning a trial court’s denial.
Hoosier attorney fighting student loan debt relief appeals to 7th Circuit after dismissal
The Hoosier attorney who sued to stop the federal student loan forgiveness program received a lesson in litigation from the federal judge presiding over the case: Don’t sue the wrong defendant.
Appellate court affirms sentence change from home detention to DOC
A man who claimed that his home detention sentence was wrongly changed to placement in the Indiana Department of Correction did not sway the Court of Appeals of Indiana to rule in his favor.
COA splits in reversing delinquency adjudication for auto theft
A split appellate panel has reversed a teen’s delinquency adjudication for auto theft, finding insufficient evidence to support the adjudication.
Opinions Oct. 28, 2022
Court of Appeals of Indiana
Ryan L. Fisel v. State of Indiana
22A-CR-1279
Criminal. Affirms the Wells Superior Court’s correction of Ryan Fisel’s sentence from a direct placement on home detention to a commitment in the Department of Correction. Finds Fisel’s original sentence of a direct placement on home detention was not authorized by statute. Also finds the trial court had jurisdiction to correct the error and properly did so.
Opinions Oct. 27, 2022
Court of Appeals of Indiana
Jalen Bonner v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)
22A-CR-1187
Criminal. Affirms Jalen Bonner’s conviction of Level 1 felony attempted murder. Finds the state presented sufficient evidence to sustain Bonner’s conviction of attempted murder.
Opinions Oct. 26, 2022
Court of Appeals of Indiana
Lawerance Knighten v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)
22A-CR-454
Criminal. Affirms Lawerance Knighten’s conviction of Level 1 felony child molesting. Finds the state did not commit fundamental error by engaging in prosecutorial misconduct during both voir dire and closing argument.
District court rules against CAFO, Corps
A ditch system dug nearly 100 years ago to drain Beaver Lake, formerly the largest natural lake in Indiana, is at the center of a legal battle between a 4,350-dairy cow CAFO and the neighboring Newton County residents.
Indiana Court Decisions: Oct. 6-19, 2022
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the latest reporting period.
Opinions Oct. 25, 2022
Court of Appeals of Indiana
Jeremiah Jordyn Smith v. State of Indiana
22A-CR-364
Criminal. Reverses the Tippecanoe Superior Court’s grant of the state’s motion to revoke the pretrial diversion agreement entered into with Jeremiah Jordyn Smith. Finds Smith’s diversion agreement was supported by consideration and the state was bound by its terms. Also finds revoking Smith’s diversion agreement without cause was a breach of the agreement’s terms. Remands with instructions to dismiss the case against Smith with prejudice.