60 senior judges certified for 2018
The Indiana Supreme Court has certified 60 judicial officers as senior judges for the coming year.
Courts
Articles
High Court finds abandonment defense was disproved
A man convicted of attempted robbery of and conspiracy to rob a Terre Haute gas station has lost his appeal to the Indiana Supreme Court, which found Monday there was sufficient evidence to disprove his defense of abandonment.
Mentally ill woman found not guilty by insanity in pastor’s shooting
After two trials and two convictions of guilty but mentally ill in the shooting death of a Southport pastor, the Indiana Court of Appeals ordered the trial court to enter a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity against the woman who admitted to the shooting.
COA partially reverses delinquent adjudication against teen
A teenager who devised a plan to shoot his assistant principal and other students while at school has had one delinquent adjudications reversed after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined the threat the student made against the assistant principal did not meet the statutory definition of intimidation.
Attorney in counterfeit scheme suspended for 3 years
A Bloomington attorney convicted of engaging in a counterfeit scheme to steal $10,000 from a client has been suspended from the practice of law for three years without automatic reinstatement.
Attorneys: Guidance needed for waiving presence at hearing
Counsel for both parties to a mental health commitment case agreed on one central issue when they argued before the Indiana Supreme Court on Tuesday: attorneys and judges need guidance on when a respondent’s right to be present at their commitment hearing can be waived.
Anderson settles lawsuit by workers fired by mayor in 2012
The city of Anderson and eight former employees have reached a settlement over their firings in 2012.
Man accused of killing doctor appears in court
A judge has entered a not guilty plea for an 18-year-old charged with murder in the fatal shooting of an Indiana University doctor and educator.
13 states sue to stop cage free eggs law in Mass.
Massachusetts is being sued by 13 other states that claim a voter-approved law to ban the sale of eggs and other food products from farm animals that are confined in overly restrictive cages is unconstitutional.
Federal judge retires as he faces accusations
The sexual misconduct allegations that have cut a swath through Congress brought down a prominent member of the judicial branch Monday with the resignation of Alex Kozinski, a federal appeals court judge known for his blunt and colorful legal opinions.
$4.2M deal for Indy justice center land
The city of Indianapolis has reached a $4.2 million deal to buy and lease land for a new $572 million criminal justice center.
Theft conviction reversed for man who failed to pay restaurant bill
The Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed a man’s misdemeanor theft conviction after finding the state failed to prove the man went to a restaurant and consumed food and drink with the intention of not paying. However, the court upheld the man's related disorderly conduct conviction.
Molestation convictions upheld against former stepfather
A Clinton County man convicted of molesting his former stepdaughter has lost his appeal after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined Monday the trial court did not abuse its discretion by excluding evidence that the victim was molested by another man.
Justices to hear mental health commitment, murder appeals
The rights of respondents to be present at their mental health commitment hearings will be considered this week when the Indiana Supreme Court hears oral arguments in a case in which a man was involuntarily committed for mental health treatment without being present at his hearing.
Justices weigh if trial can proceed after prosecutor misconduct
The Indiana Supreme Court will decide if a man charged in his wife’s shooting death will finally have to stand trial after a series of judicial recusals and state misconduct resulted in the trial court dismissing the criminal case.
Amended Southern District rules to take effect Jan. 1
The Indiana Southern District Court will implement new rules relating to Social Security appeals and indigent defense fee agreements when two amendments take effect on Jan. 1.
Milroy attorney to join CLE Commission
A Milroy attorney has been appointed to join the Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education beginning next year.
New juvenile case type to be introduced
The Indiana Supreme Court will introduce a new case type into the state’s uniform case numbering system at the start of the new year.
Dearborn County, Plainfield courts move to e-filing
One Indiana county implemented voluntary electronic filing on Friday while another moved to a mandatory system, continuing the push for statewide implementation of e-filing that is slated to wrap up in the next 12 months.
Mom who placed child for adoption can’t claim custody 13 years later
A biological mother and father who consented to the adoption of their child cannot 13 years later seek custody. The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed a trial court ruling to that effect Friday, finding that to rule otherwise would “lead to a patently absurd result in this case and potentially many others.”