COA reinstates small claims case after COVID cancelation of vacation
A small claims case arising from a COVID-canceled vacation will return to the trial court after the Indiana Court of Appeals found dismissal was improper.
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Executioners sanitized accounts of deaths in federal cases
Executioners who put 13 inmates to death in the last months of the Trump administration likened the process of dying by lethal injection to falling asleep and called gurneys “beds” and final breaths “snores.” The sworn accounts by executioners, which government filings cited as evidence the lethal injections were going smoothly, raise questions about whether officials misled courts to ensure the executions scheduled from July to mid-January were done before death penalty opponent Joe Biden became president.
AG Rokita swings back after Twitter slap
After Twitter flagged his Valentine’s Day tweet alleging election fraud, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is doubling down, repeating his claims while offering no proof, asserting the tech giant is censoring his freedom of speech and voicing his support for legislation that would give the Statehouse more power in changing the state’s election laws.
Indiana panels back tighter abortion law, ending gun permits
Indiana legislators advanced two measures Monday that join Republican-led drives across the country to tighten abortion laws and loosen gun restrictions.
Snow closes courthouses in Indianapolis, Southern Indiana District
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana is closing all federal courthouses Feb. 16 because of the winter storm dumping heavy snow throughout much of Indiana. Likewise, many state courts also closed, including Marion Superior and Circuit Courts.
Farmworkers awarded $460K in wage theft, labor trafficking judgment
A northern Indiana federal court has ordered a farm in Fowler and its owners to pay more than $460,000 in compensation and damages to nine farmworkers who alleged they were forced to work without pay, housed in abysmal conditions and threatened, among other claims.
Convicted molester fails to show victim’s testimony was incredibly dubious
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed a Morgan County man’s child molestation conviction Thursday, rejecting his argument that the victim’s testimony was incredibly dubious.
Man loses appeal over anger management probation condition
Even though a man whose guilty plea in a domestic violence case contained no terms requiring him to participate in anger management classes, a court that ordered them as a term of probation was within its rights to do so, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday.
Attorney-at-paw? Filter during Zoom hearing makes lawyer appear as cat
A West Texas judge has a word of caution to those attending court hearings via Zoom: Always check for filters before logging on. The advice came after a Texas lawyer had difficulty removing the filter during the hearing, assuring the judge, “I’m here live. I’m not a cat.”
Indy lawyer seeks to keep Trump election challenge alive at SCOTUS
As the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump on a count of incitement of insurrection began Tuesday, his Indianapolis lawyer who asked the United States Supreme Court to overturn election results in Wisconsin pleaded anew for the high court to keep the case alive because Trump may run again for president.
Indiana House panel OKs bill recognizing tribal court orders
For the second year in a row, the Indiana House Judiciary Committee has endorsed legislation to extend full faith and credit to tribal orders issued in Indiana by the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Indians.
Lawmakers reject no-excuse absentee voting, other election amendments
At least 13 bills dealing with election and voting have been introduced into the 2021 session of the Indiana General Assembly, but only three have received a hearing and none are addressing calls by Democrats for expanded absentee voting and easier access to early voting.
COA remands probation revocation based on ‘imprecise’ evidence
An order that a Delaware County man serve nearly 17 years in the Department of Correction following technical probation violations has been reversed, with the Indiana Court of Appeals remanding for a resentencing not based on “imprecise” evidence.
After rift between partners, court asked to dissolve George & Farinas
Claiming she and her law partner can no longer continue working together, Indianapolis attorney Kathleen Farinas is asking the Marion County Commercial Court to dissolve George & Farinas LLP, appoint a receiver and enter damages against Linda George.
Justices in tug-of-war over judge in suit accusing ex-lawyer of estate theft
Nearly eight months after the Indiana Supreme Court accepted the resignation of a one-time northern Indiana judge and former lawyer accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from a widow client’s estate, justices now are being asked to remove the judge hearing a related civil lawsuit.
Biden could change course in high court health care case
The pending Supreme Court case on the fate of the Affordable Care Act could give the Biden administration its first opportunity to chart a new course in front of the justices.
COA dismisses as premature appeal in breach-of-contract suit
The Indiana Court of Appeals on Friday dismissed as premature an appeal filed by a southern Indiana man who challenged a trial court order dismissing three of four defendants that he sued, claiming breach of contract in a real estate sales dispute.
Faulty translation voids man’s guilty plea in PCR appeal
The Indiana Court of Appeals vacated a man’s guilty plea in a child molestation case Friday, granting post-conviction relief on the basis that he did not receive the assistance of an interpreter to help him understand his rights.
Ruling on appeal reinstates condo owners’ suit alleging faulty construction
Condominium owners in a South Bend complex that they allege was shoddily constructed may pursue their claims against the insolvent developer, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled, reversing the dismissal of the condo owners’ claims.
Justices uphold life without parole in toddler’s brutalization, murder
A man’s sentence to life in prison without parole in the murder of an 18-month-old whose body bore the marks of torture and sexual abuse has been affirmed on direct appeal to the Indiana Supreme Court.