Indiana’s alcohol laws withstand court challenges
Recent rulings from state and federal courts underscore that while Indiana’s alcohol laws may be silly, quirky and arcane, they are not so easily changed.
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Smoking ban dispute heads to Supreme Court
The Indiana Supreme Court wants to hear more from Hoosier Park about why patrons at its Winner’s Circle off-track betting parlor in Indianapolis should be allowed to light up when smoking in public is otherwise generally banned by city ordinance.
House party hosts face heightened liability after recent COA ruling
Just in time for holiday revelry and New Year’s Eve celebrations, an Indiana appeals court ruled hosts of house parties may be held liable for the well-being of guests who drink too much.
Retiring federal Judge Robert Miller Jr. praised for legal analysis and temperament
With the exception of the year Judge Robert Miller Jr. spent clerking for the late U.S. District Judge Robert Grant, he has spent his entire working life wielding a gavel. He served for 11 years in St. Joseph Superior Court before his appointment to the federal bench.
DraftKings asks Illinois court to call fantasy sports legal
DraftKings Inc., one of the two main providers of daily fantasy sports games in the U.S., asked an Illinois court to overturn a finding by the state’s attorney general that the games are illegal gambling.
Bill would allow recovery of attorney fees in all wrongful death actions
A northern Indiana senator has introduced legislation to amend Indiana’s wrongful death statute to allow for surviving families to collect attorney fees.
COA on rehearing clarifies where to send payment
The Indiana Court of Appeals Monday rejected arguments that its prior decision regarding a student-loan debt owed to a bankrupt note-holder caused confusion as to who was owed and left the debtor open to the possibility of multiple judgments.
Reversal: BMV must report driver’s expunged OWI conviction
A trial court erred in prohibiting the Bureau of Motor Vehicles from reporting the operating while intoxicated conviction of a driver who had his criminal record expunged.
6 counties next in line for trial court e-filing
Six Indiana counties — Clark, Harrison, Henry, St. Joseph, Shelby and Wells — will be joining Hamilton County in implementing e-filing in the trial courts during the first half of 2016, with more to come later.
Indiana courts push ahead with shift to e-filing
Indiana's top courts are pushing ahead with adopting an electronic-filing system that state officials say will eventually give the public free access to online court records statewide.
Planned Parenthood shooting case stalls for mental exam
The case against the man who acknowledges killing three people in an attack on a Colorado Planned Parenthood clinic moves into a new phase while he awaits a mental competency evaluation, ordered after he defiantly told a judge he wanted to fire his public defender and represent himself.
Rolling Stone urges court to throw out UVa grads’ lawsuit
Rolling Stone magazine is urging a judge to throw out a lawsuit filed by three former fraternity members at the University of Virginia who claim they suffered humiliation and emotional distress because of the magazine's debunked article about a campus gang rape.
Pence may argue charity can’t represent Syrian refugees
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence may argue the Indianapolis charity that sued him for attempting to suspend its federal government-approved resettlement of Syrian refugees has “a lack of any valid right of action or standing to assert the rights of refugees,” court filings show.
7th Circuit rejects Conour’s bid to remove judge
Convicted fraudster and former Indianapolis attorney William Conour won’t get to represent himself for now, nor will he succeed in getting the federal judge he claims is biased thrown off his case.
Indiana attorney in adoption controversy resigns amid probe
An attorney who handled a contentious adoption case involving a New Jersey man who adopted twin girls born in Indianapolis to a surrogate mother has resigned his law license amid a disciplinary investigation.
COA reaffirms reversal of molest convictions for vouching
The Indiana Court of Appeals clarified its position on rehearing Wednesday in the reversal of child molesting convictions that the state “vigorously argues” were erroneously ruled reversible error.
Nonprofit ambulance service not entitled to ITCA protections
The volunteer emergency ambulance service provider in Sharpsville is not entitled to the protections of the Indiana Tort Claims Act, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed, because it is a private company rather than a governmental entity.
Reversal: Care facility must pay legal fees after $1M negligence verdict
An assisted-living facility where a resident died after being badly burned must pay the estate’s attorney fees, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday in reversing a trial court.
South Bend man wins partial reversal of sewer nuisance suit
A man who sued South Bend claiming that noxious gas from city sewer lines had been forced into his home may proceed with part of his lawsuit against the city.
5 finalists named for St. Joseph judicial position
The St. Joseph County Nominating Commission announced Tuesday the five finalists to fill the upcoming vacancy on the Superior Court due to Judge Jerome Frese’s pending retirement.