Supreme Court seems likely to keep double jeopardy exception
The United States Supreme Court seemed likely Thursday to preserve a constitutional rule that allows state and federal governments to prosecute someone for the same crime.
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Tax court affirms jurisdiction, McCordsville land assessment
The Indiana Tax Court affirmed that it had subject matter jurisdiction over a trust’s claims of an invalid annexation and storm water charges on its farmland, but ultimately found that the Indiana Board of Tax Review did not err in upholding the assessment of the land.
Collection agency waited too long to file complaint for repayment, COA says
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed the dismissal of a complaint brought by a collection agency for failing to file its complaint for repayment within the six-year statute of limitations.
Magistrate DeGroote appointed to Allen Superior Court bench
Allen County Magistrate Jennifer DeGroote has been appointed by Gov. Eric Holcomb to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Allen Superior Court. DeGroote will succeed Judge Stanley A. Levine, who will retire Dec. 31.
Justices consider taking case involving death of baby
The Indiana Supreme Court heard argument Thursday morning in a case involving the death of a baby, hearing testimony as to whether the baby’s father claimed the child died accidentally.
Munster man pleads guilty to post office pipe bomb
A man charged in a pipe bomb explosion at a northwestern Indiana post office says he was targeting an attorney who had filed a lawsuit against him. Eric Krieg of Munster pleaded guilty Tuesday to making an unregistered destructive device and other charges.
Judge denies new trial in off-duty officer’s 1980 death
A judge has denied a request for a new trial for an alleged getaway driver convicted in the 1980 shooting death of an off-duty northwestern Indiana police officer. James Hill was sentenced to 47 years in prison in October after a jury earlier convicted him of murder in perpetuation of robbery and attempted robbery, and Judge Salvador Vasquez determined there was no need for a new trial.
Prosecutors recommend no jail time for cooperative Flynn
President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser provided so much information to the special counsel’s Russia investigation that prosecutors say he shouldn’t do any prison time, according to a court filing that describes Michael Flynn’s cooperation as “substantial.”
USA Gymnastics bankruptcy might leave sex-abuse victims unpaid
Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics, under threat of being decertified by the U.S. Olympic Committee, filed for bankruptcy after running short of funds to pay victims of Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse.
Majority justices: RV dealer must pay taxes in ‘sham’ transactions
A northern Indiana recreational vehicle dealer who tried to avoid paying Indiana sales tax on out-of-state transactions by moving the RVs into Michigan before handing over the keys to customers must repay those taxes after a divided Indiana Supreme Court entered summary judgment in favor of the Indiana Department of Revenue.
COA denies sentence modification to parolee
A Monroe County man gave the Indiana Court of Appeals a case of first impression when he sought to have his sentence for his child molesting conviction modified after he had already served his time and had been discharged to parole.
Murder convictions affirmed, remanded for sentencing statement
Indiana Supreme Court justices affirmed a man’s two murder convictions, finding his Miranda rights were not violated and that his sentence was appropriate. However, the high court remanded for a more specific sentencing statement as required.
COA: Lake County court overstepped in awarding fees in Illinois case
A Lake County court lacked jurisdiction to award nearly $2 million in attorney fees arising from a permanently injured man’s Illinois worker’s compensation case. The Indiana Court of Appeals on Wednesday vacated the judge’s order on fees entered in the man’s guardianship case.
Murder conviction after drug deal gone wrong stands
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed a man’s conviction of two counts of murder despite his arguments that one of the deaths was unforeseeable at the time of the drug-deal gone wrong in South Bend.
Appeals court remands Hamilton Southeastern rate case to IURC
A Hamilton County sewer utility rate increase case that went all the way to the Indiana Supreme Court is going back to the state agency where it originated after an Indiana Court of Appeals ruling Wednesday.
Appellate courts seek extra $1M for legal aid, technology
Citing a need to further invest in Indiana’s civil legal aid infrastructure, the Indiana Supreme Court is asking the General Assembly to allocate an additional $1 million to the court in the next biennial budget to fund civil legal aid efforts.
Indiana ACLU sues East Allen Schools over LGBTQ club
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana last week aided a group of more than 30 East Allen County high school students when it filed a lawsuit against the school corporation, claiming it had imposed “undue, unequal burdens” an LGBTQ+ organization.
Lake County judge appointed; finalists named for second vacancy
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has appointed a magistrate judge as the newest judge of the Lake Superior Court and will soon begin the process of filling another Lake County court vacancy.
Indiana Supreme Court calls for review of bar exam
Amid slumping passage rates, the Indiana Supreme Court has created a special commission to review the state’s bar exam and make recommendations for changes in format or content, including whether to modify what is considered a passing score.
COA affirms dismissal of annexation fiscal plan challenge
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a Dayton resident’s complaint for declaratory judgment against the town when it found meritless her assertions that a fiscal plan for a proposed annexation was “inadequate.”