Indiana woman gets 50 years in mother’s slaying
A 19-year-old northwest Indiana woman has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for killing her mother.
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Lawyer sanctioned for ‘abandonment’ of federal case gets reprimand
A Lake County lawyer whose client learned his battery case against Hammond police was dismissed after his daughter looked up court records online has received discipline from the Indiana Supreme Court: a public reprimand.
Indy judge selection bill set for Wednesday hearing
A proposed merit-selection plan giving state lawmakers a strong hand in the nomination and appointment of Marion Superior judges will be introduced Wednesday to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Lawsuits deluge operator of towing business
Brian Fenner had big plans for his Indianapolis towing company, Sperro Towing and Recovery. His goal was to build a national network of bankruptcy attorneys who would let him know if a struggling client had a vehicle they couldn’t afford to keep. But the plan, which he appears to have hatched at least two years ago, quickly ran into trouble.
Selby, Ong nominated for federal bench
Even before a confirmation hearing has been gaveled to order or a floor vote scheduled, one nominee to an Indiana vacancy on the federal bench is facing opposition as a home state senator renews his call for a nominating commission.
Specialized courts get boost in State of Judiciary
Indiana’s first commercial courts are announced a week after Rush highlights problem-solving approaches in her annual State of the Judiciary address.
Do-it-yourself dangers
Where there’s a will, there’s a way to do it yourself with Internet services such as LegalZoom, Nolo and Rocket Lawyer. But attorneys say relying on online form providers for long-term financial and estate planning may not be the wisest investment.
Attorneys, courts feel drop in bankruptcy filings
Bankruptcy attorney Mark S. Zuckerberg recently described the current state of his practice: “Nobody’s coming into my office; nobody’s calling me; nobody’s paying me.” His loneliness can be tied to the drop in bankruptcy filings. In 2015, petitions nationally fell to 860,182, an 11 percent decline from 2014 and the lowest number of filings since 2007.
As drone sales soar, legal and regulatory atmosphere remains turbulent
Attorneys are at the horizon of what could be a new body of law involving drones, some of which could be decided by the courts.
Jury instruction splits Supreme Court
Jury instructions that included the interpretation from an appellate ruling split the Indiana Supreme Court as to when trial courts should look beyond the statute.
30 apply for Indiana Supreme Court vacancy
Thirty judges and lawyers have applied to succeed Justice Brent Dickson on the Indiana Supreme Court. The first round of interviews will take place in mid-February.
Investment broker’s plea deal erases 20 felony counts
An Indianapolis man accused of multiple felony securities fraud counts has reached a plea agreement with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office.
Indiana justices take case involving denied deposition request
The Indiana Supreme Court will decide whether a man on trial for a drug charge should have been allowed to depose two witnesses before trial. The issue divided the Indiana Court of Appeals in September.
Justices extend bar on automatic life terms for teenagers
The Supreme Court of the United States ruled Monday that people serving life terms for murders they committed as teenagers must have a chance to seek their freedom, a decision that could affect more than 1,000 inmates.
High court upholds government’s energy conservation program
The Supreme Court of the United States has upheld a 4-year-old federal program that pays large electric customers to save energy during times of peak demand.
Prosecutor won’t pursue case against state lawmaker
A special prosecutor says he will not pursue a criminal case against state Rep. Michael Aylesworth over allegations that he was inside a polling station illegally during election day in November 2014.
Justices: Officer could open container found after pat-down search
A police officer did not commit an unreasonable search when he opened a pill container found following a pat-down search after a man was lawfully placed under arrest for driving without a valid license. The Indiana Supreme Court upheld the search under the state constitution.
District Court in New Albany closes early
Snow has shut down the New Albany division of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
Attorney urges jurors in house blast trial to keep open mind
An attorney for a man accused of murder and arson in a house explosion that killed two people urged jurors to keep an open mind despite emotional testimony they will hear during the trial expected to last more than a month.