Woman gets unsupervised probation for leaving racist letter
A woman who police say admitted leaving a racist letter at the home of a family with a biracial son has been sentenced to 180 days of unsupervised probation.
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Not guilty plea entered for Indiana sitter in child’s death
A not guilty plea has been entered on behalf of a northeastern Indiana babysitter charged in the death of a young child she was caring for last year.
White House tells 2 ex-aides to defy congressional subpoena
The White House is again directing former employees not to cooperate with a congressional investigation, this time instructing former aides Hope Hicks and Annie Donaldson to defy subpoenas and refuse to provide documents to the House Judiciary Committee.
Judge questions reasons for Indiana abortion procedure ban
A federal judge grilled an attorney for the state of Indiana on Monday over whether the Legislature had legitimate reasons for approving a law that would largely ban a second-trimester abortion procedure.
AG Hill’s bid to block Marion County early voting plan fizzles
The heated dispute ignited by Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s effort to block Marion County’s early voting plan ended with a whimper at the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Monday after both sides acknowledged a change in the voting method nixed the need for a ruling from the federal appellate bench.
CLE, fee violations lead to suspension of 144 attorneys
Nearly 145 attorneys have been suspended from the practice of law in Indiana, including national and international practitioners, after they failed to either pay annual fees and/or comply with continuing legal education requirements or both.
Hendricks Judge Freese suspended 45 days over friend’s estate theft
Hendricks Superior Judge Robert W. Freese has been suspended from judicial office without pay for 45 days after appointing a friend as a trustee of an estate case he was presiding over and failing to take action when the friend did not fulfill his duties, resulting in a “massive theft.”
Supreme Court upholds father’s removal as administrator of son’s estate
The Indiana Supreme Court has upheld the removal of a father as the special administrator of his deceased son’s estate, writing that trial courts should hold hearings on special administrator appointments to avoid confusion caused by a “race to the courthouse.”
Divided Supreme Court upholds suppression of child molesting statements
An accused child molester who was not convicted due to a mistrial has won his argument that incriminating statements he made during a police interrogation were rightfully suppressed during trial because he was not read his Miranda warnings.
South Bend abortion clinic gets go-ahead from federal judge
A federal judge has granted an abortion provider’s motion for a preliminary injunction to open the doors of a South Bend abortion clinic without a state-required license, prompting an immediate appeal from the state.
High court will hear copyright dispute involving Blackbeard’s ship
A dispute involving the pirate Blackbeard’s ship is on deck for the Supreme Court’s next term.
Justices let stand suppression in drug case, grant transfer in 2 others
Indiana Supreme Court justices agreed to hear two cases on grant of transfer last week, denying one other involving a faulty Muncie controlled drug buy. The three cases were the only matters justices considered on petition to transfer last week.
Evansville man accused of selling fentanyl to woman who died
Authorities say a southern Indiana man has been arrested in connection with the fentanyl-based overdose death of a 22-year-old woman.
Illinois poised to be 11th state to allow recreational marijuana
Illinois is likely to become the 11th state to allow small amounts of marijuana for recreational use after the Democratic-controlled House on Friday sent a legalization plan to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The move further isolates Indiana’s criminalization of marijuana nationally and among its neighboring states.
2 charged in vandalism of Hammond church
Authorities say two men are facing charges after they allegedly ransacked a northwestern Indiana church and left behind painted hate messages. Hammond police announced Saturday that 23-year-old Aaron J. Vanoppens and 22-year-old Nicholas D. Reding were charged with one count each of burglary and institutional criminal mischief after the interior of Faith United Church of Christ in Hammond sustained significant damage.
Judge to hear bid to block Indiana abortion procedure ban
A federal judge is set to take up the American Civil Liberties Union’s bid to block a new Indiana law that would ban a second-trimester abortion procedure. A judge in Indianapolis was scheduled to hear arguments Monday from the state’s attorneys and the ALCU of Indiana, which is seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent the ban on dilation and evacuation abortions from taking effect July 1.
Indianapolis Public Schools settles lawsuits tied to ex-counselor
The Indianapolis school district has reached confidential settlements in lawsuits related to a former counselor accused of having sex with two teenage students. The Indianapolis Star reports the settlements are with a student and two former employees.
Conviction upheld in robbery after iPhone exchange
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed an Elkhart student’s robbery conviction after concluding there was sufficient evidence to support that she stole money in the presence of the cash’s owner.
Holcomb ceremonially signs victims rights bill
A victims rights bill inspired by a mother attempting to protect her underage daughter from a sexual predator’s grooming tactics was ceremonially signed Wednesday by Gov. Eric Holcomb, with support from the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council.
Legislative Council approves 2019 interim committees
Study committees for the 2019 interim period have been approved by Indiana’s Legislative Council and will address dozens of issues for review in the coming months, including several legal-focused topics.