Justices to hear arguments in murder, jurisdiction cases
The Indiana Supreme Court is set to hear argument in several cases this week, including a man’s post-conviction appeal of his three separate sentences for murder in Floyd County.
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Public comment sought on Lake Superior judge applicants
The Indiana Supreme Court is seeking public comment on the candidates who have applied to fill an upcoming vacancy in Lake Superior Court. Comments must be submitted via email to [email protected] by noon CST on Jan. 14.
Federal judiciary operating on limited funds during shutdown
Federal courts are operating on limited funds during the partial shutdown of the federal government and are working to continue sustaining paid operations through Jan. 18, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
Indiana Court Decisions — Dec. 19, 2018-Jan. 2, 2019
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
New site a landing page for civil legal aid
The Coalition for Court Access recently launched the website Indianalegalhelp.org. Now, Hoosiers needing help with a divorce, child custody issue, eviction or other civil legal problems have a new place to find answers and additional resources without having to make a phone call, schedule an appointment or even drive to a courthouse.
Statewide e-filing hitting the homestretch
The advent of electronic filing has changed the way Hoosier attorneys do business. Tasks that once required lawyers and their staffs to sift through Bankers Boxes and drive to courthouses can now be completed with just a few keystrokes. As of the end of 2018, 85 of Indiana’s 92 counties had implemented voluntary e-filing, with many of those counties now requiring attorneys to file at least some documents electronically.
Sell here, live here: SCOTUS reviews liquor retailer residency requirements
The requirement that alcohol permit holders live in the state where they do business is based on the simple notion that neighbors care more about the well-being of their communities than out-of-towners do. But a Tennessee case challenging that notion in the U.S. Supreme Court could spill over on similar Indiana laws.
AG’s office seeking more than $132K from Gary councilwoman who violated state law
A Gary city councilwoman has been ordered to reimburse the Gary Sanitary District more than $132,000 in wages for the time she illegally held two municipal positions simultaneously, and the Indiana Attorney General has begun efforts to secure the reimbursement.
Supreme Court amends court retention rules for tax sales, expungement records
The Indiana Supreme Court has issued new guidance on how long courts are required to maintain files related to tax sales and expungements in their offices. The court also updated Indiana's Administrative Rules to reflect the abolishment of two town courts.
Indiana’s abortion petition relisted at U.S. Supreme Court
Indiana’s petition for a review of its 2016 abortion law is still pending at the Supreme Court of the United States after the justices relisted the Hoosier state’s writ of certiorari for this Friday’s conference. The state is asking the Supreme Court to overturn a preliminary injunction blocking the implementation of a law that limits when a woman may terminate her pregnancy and mandates how fetal remains should be handled.
Northern Indiana District Court awaiting re-nomination process
With the start of the 116th Congress, Indiana’s two remaining federal judicial nominees have stalled and the vacancies in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana continue. However, Indiana’s senior senator expressed confidence they will come back to Capitol Hill.
Judge extends grand jury used by Mueller’s Russia probe
The chief federal judge in Washington has extended the term of the grand jury used by special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. The extension by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell is the latest sign the Mueller probe will continue for at least the next several months.
High court to take new look at partisan electoral districts
The Supreme Court is plunging back into the issue of whether electoral districts can be too partisan. Disputes have arisen in cases involving North Carolina’s heavily Republican congressional map and a Democratic congressional district in Maryland, and the justices said Friday they will hear arguments in March.
Appeals court sides with Trump in transgender military case
A federal appeals court sided with the Trump administration Friday in a case about the Pentagon’s effort to restrict military service by transgender people, but the ruling won’t change who can serve or enlist at this point.
Divided justices say Grant Co. couple must comply with orders to repair ‘high-hazard’ dam
A Grant County couple must now abide by a Department of Natural Resources order to bring a dam into compliance with the Dam Safety Act following a divided Indiana Supreme Court decision that affirmed the order’s enforcement.
Low-key days at Supreme Court may be ending soon
The Supreme Court began its term with the tumultuous confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, followed by a studied avoidance of drama on the high court bench — especially anything that would divide the five conservatives and four liberals. But when they gather in private on Friday to consider new cases for arguments in April and into next term, the justices will confront a raft of high-profile appeals.
Lawsuit filed over gay inmate’s suicide at Noble Co. jail
A northeastern Indiana county faces a wrongful death lawsuit alleging a gay inmate killed himself in its jail after being denied mental health treatment and enduring harassment over his sexuality. Markus Middleton’s partner is suing Noble County’s sheriff, jail commander and jail staff.
Roberts’ year-end report focuses on sexual harassment in judiciary
Following the year of the #MeToo movement and the retirement of a former 9th Circuit Court of Appeals judge accused of sexual harassment, Chief Justice John G. Roberts pushed in his most recent end-of-the-year report that more can be done to encourage judicial employees to report misconduct.
Suit naming Vaidik, appellate clerk, DOC employees tossed
The dismissal of a suit brought against Indiana Court of Appeals Chief Judge Nancy Vaidik, the clerk of Indiana’s appellate courts and two Department of Correction employees has been affirmed, with a panel of the COA finding judicial immunity and insufficient facts bar the case from proceeding.
Man charged with neglect after Lebanon toddler fatally shoots sister
A northwestern Indiana man has been charged with felony neglect after police say a 3-year-old boy fatally shot his 4-year-old sister with the suspect’s gun in the family’s home.