Carmel faces federal class-action lawsuit over traffic law
The city of Carmel is facing a class-action lawsuit in federal court for its enforcement of a local traffic ordinance a state appeals court has already struck down.
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Ryznar: Grandparent visitation 15 years after Troxel
Given continued high levels of divorce and out-of-wedlock births, the role of grandparents continues to be an important source of stability in some families. Thus, in 2015, grandparent visitation made several appearances on the Indiana court dockets.
Married lesbian couples seek birth certificate equality
Lesbian couples in Indiana are learning the fight for state recognition did not stop with the legalization of same-sex marriage. The battle now has moved to parenthood.
Expunged criminal records still may show up and might be required in some cases
If you’ve stayed out of trouble for the required number of years, Indiana’s expungement statute will erase your criminal record and give you a clean slate. (Individual results may vary.)
Coalition pushes for hate crime legislation
Indiana is one of five states without a hate crime law on the books.
Munster cardiologist’s practice faces some 300 medical malpractice complaints
The sweeping medical malpractice claims against Dr. Arvind Gandhi and other practitioners at Cardiology Associates of Northwest Indiana could take years to unwind, and they may change the calculus that sets surcharges physicians pay to the Indiana Patient’s Compensation Fund.
Young: Federal re-entry programs continue to benefit community
One of the longest-standing initiatives in the Southern District is the voluntary Re-entry and Community Help program. Dating back to 2007, REACH gives high-risk clients an opportunity to participate in monthly informal hearings with a team composed of a federal judge, federal public defender, assistant U.S. attorney, and U.S. probation officer.
Marion County judicial selection now in lawmakers’ lap
A federal appeals court rocked the Marion County court system last fall when it quashed its unusual judicial election process, saying it burdened the right to cast a meaningful vote. Now the court’s fate is in the hands of lawmakers, who will get a crack at replacing the election system the federal judges ruled unconstitutional.
Red-hot M&A target comes with a little legal problem in the US
For months now, Swiss seed maker Syngenta AG has been publicly courted by the likes of Monsanto Co. and China National Chemical Corp., part of a historic consolidation wave sweeping the agri-chemicals business. But lurking behind any deal are lawsuits against Syngenta in which U.S. farmers and grain handlers are claiming losses of up to $6 billion.
Dickson retirement date set for April 29
Justice Brent Dickson will retire from the Indiana Supreme Court April 29, he said Monday in a letter to Gov. Mike Pence.
Eastern Indiana man gets 69 years for fatally shooting buddy
A judge sentenced Bert McQueen III, 44, of Union County on Friday to 69 years in prison under a plea agreement in which he was convicted of murder and being a habitual offender in the September 2014 slaying of Brandon Wicker of Brownsville.
Evans settles federal lawsuit related to AIT labs sale
A federal lawsuit that accused AIT Laboratories founder Michael Evans of breaching his fiduciary duties by selling the Indianapolis-based company to employees at an inflated price has been settled, the company announced Friday afternoon.
Ringleader in $90M fuel scam sentenced to 20 years
The ringleader of a $90 million biodiesel scam operated in central Indiana was sentenced Thursday to serve 20 years in prison and to pay more than $56 million in restitution for his role in the fraud.
GM ignition nightmare won’t go away, for victims or company
The car maker, which faces at least 16 trials on death and injury claims in state and federal courts in the U.S. in 2016, has said in regulatory filings that it couldn’t estimate its potential liability.
Suit over courthouse ban of service dog proceeds
A man’s lawsuit alleging Tippecanoe County officials violated the Americans With Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act by refusing to permit him to enter the courthouse with his service dog will proceed, a federal judge ruled.
Terror-related arrests in 2 states refuel refugee debate
Two Iraqi-born men who came to the United States as refugees have been arrested on terrorism-related charges by federal authorities who allege one traveled to Syria to fight with terrorists in the civil war and the other provided support to the Islamic State group.
Elkhart-area man gets life without parole in teen’s slaying
A man convicted of murder for stabbing a 17-year-old girl and mutilating her body has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
3 originally sentenced for murder face burglary sentences
Three northern Indiana men sentenced to 50 or more years in prison before the Indiana Supreme Court overturned their murder convictions could be out of prison before the end of the year after being sentenced on felony burglary charges.
Justices swap woman’s name for initials in protective order case
The Indiana Supreme Court granted a woman’s request Wednesday to redact her full name from a court decision involving a protective order obtained against her.
Pretrial release project to test assessment tool
The Indiana Supreme Court is preparing to test the viability of allowing certain offenders to be released pretrial without having to pay a bail.