DTCI: Ruminations on an attorney’s post-pandemic ‘new normal’
Courts are back in business, but it’s not business as usual. Defense lawyer Scott Cockrum writes for the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana about his views on attorneys’ “new normal.”
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National, state wiretaps see decreases during 2020
Federal and state judges reported a combined 26% decrease in authorized wiretaps in 2020, according to court statistics released last week. Convictions stemming from cases involving electronic surveillance also decreased significantly.
Senate confirms Jackson-Akiwumi to 7th Circuit
In a 53-40 vote Thursday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Candace Jackson-Akiwumi to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, making her the first person of color to sit on that bench since Judge Ann Claire Williams, the first person of color to join that court, retired in 2018.
No jail time in 1st riot sentence; Oath Keeper pleads guilty
An Indiana woman on Wednesday became the first defendant to be sentenced in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and avoided time behind bars, while a member of the Oath Keepers extremist group pleaded guilty in a conspiracy case and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in a major step forward for the massive investigation.
High court declines to hear Indiana vote-by-mail limits case
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a case challenging Indiana’s vote-by-mail restrictions, a rebuff that means a federal court will decide the future of absentee voting in the state.
Dreyer: Post-pandemic judging: How do we go to ‘court’?
Everyone is now familiar with the ongoing effects of COVID-19 upon how the world is working, and some possible future scenarios both in the legal profession and beyond. The question for judges at every level is, “Do we ever need in-person proceedings?”
Indiana Court Decisions – June 3-16, 2021
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
Racial diversity lacking: No minorities in decade of appointments to IN benches
Although the next Court of Appeals judge has not been selected, the three candidates nominated ensure Indiana will continue its 9-year streak of judicial appointments that do not include a person of color.
Justices reverse, remand man’s reincarceration after being released too soon
It’s now up to a trial court to calculate credit time and determine whether a man who was released from prison too soon should be reincarcerated or remain free, the Indiana Supreme Court wrote in a Monday reversal.
At long last, Clark County gets two new judges
A public defender and an attorney with the Indiana Department of Child Services have been appointed by Gov. Eric Holcomb to serve as judges in Clark County’s two new superior courts.
Analysis: Court ruling leaves NCAA more vulnerable than ever
The Indianapolis-based NCAA has taken another hit in court, this time at the highest level, and yet insists it is an isolated setback and not a major step toward bringing down its version of amateurism. Legal analysts agree with that — at least until the next court challenge comes. And they seem sure to come.
High court: Congress erred in patent dispute board setup
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that Congress erred when it set up a board to oversee patent disputes by failing to make the judges properly accountable to the president.
Judge tosses most claims over clearing protesters in DC park
A federal judge dismissed most claims filed by activists and civil liberties groups who accused the Trump administration of violating the civil rights of protesters who were forcefully removed by police before then-President Donald Trump walked to a church near the White House for a photo op.
Supreme Court dismisses challenge to Obama era health law
The Supreme Court has dismissed a challenge to the Obama era health care law, preserving insurance coverage for millions of Americans.
U.S. Judicial Conference urges ‘prompt action’ from Senate for judicial security funding
Members of the Judicial Conference of the United States are urging the U.S. Senate to support $182.5 million in supplemental funding to bolster security for the country’s judiciary, citing the growing danger to federal judges and courthouses.
Corruption dispute between Marion, financial adviser headed to trial
A dispute between a city administration and a financial advising group that allegedly contributed to corruption in the city is headed to trial after the Indiana Supreme Court reversed the award of summary judgment for the adviser.
Attorneys for Rokita, Holcomb face off in court over governor’s right to sue
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office got its day in court Wednesday to argue why it thinks Gov. Eric Holcomb shouldn’t have been allowed to hire his own attorneys to sue the Indiana General Assembly.
High court sides with Catholic agency in foster care dispute
The Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously sided with a Catholic foster care agency that says its religious views prevent it from working with same-sex couples as foster parents. The justices said the city of Philadelphia wrongly limited its relationship with the group as a result of the agency’s policy.
$518K attorney fee award affirmed for Jasper homebuilder, against copyright ‘troll’
A Jasper homebuilder awarded more than $518,000 in attorney fees in a dispute with an “intellectual property troll” over the use of certain floor plans gets to keep that money, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed in a Wednesday decision.
Comments invited on issues with federal privilege log practice
The U.S. Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Civil Rules is seeking comment to determine the difficulties attorneys encounter in complying with Civil Rule 26(b)(5)(A) and whether rule amendments could solve them.