Reversal: US citizenship not required to obtain a name change
Citizenship in the United States is not required in order to obtain a name change, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday, reversing a trial court and ruling for two transgender men.
Courts
Articles
Involuntary commitment affirmed for woman walking in middle of highway
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed a Monroe County woman’s temporary mental health commitment at a Bloomington hospital after finding her schizophrenia made her dangerous to herself and gravely disabled.
Father’s molesting convictions once again affirmed in long-running appeal
An Indiana man who has been appealing for 10 years his convictions of molesting his daughter won no relief at the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled Thursday that errors in his trial “did not produce a significant likelihood an innocent person was convicted.”
COA reinstates patient’s claims against hospital in HIPAA-related suit
A divided Indiana Court of Appeals has reinstated a patient’s claim that a hospital is vicariously liable for the actions of a medical assistant who accessed her medical records and then shared details with her husband after she noticed that the patient had “liked” a photo of her husband on Facebook.
Supreme Court sides with Lucky brand in trademark dispute
The Supreme Court is siding with fashion brand Lucky in a dispute with a Miami-based apparel manufacturer that owns the “Get Lucky” trademark.
Rochester woman appeals conviction in fatal school bus crash
An appeal filed by a Rochester woman convicted in a crash that killed three children who were crossing a highway to board a school bus contends the state did not present sufficient evidence that she was criminally reckless.
High court further expands video, phone proceedings during COVID-19
Indiana Supreme Court justices have permitted the expansion of remote proceedings until further order amid the coronavirus public-health emergency.
Reversal: Paraplegic doctor’s estate denied full recovery in wrongful death suit
The estate of a deceased doctor was denied the full potential recovery it was entitled to after a hospital was awarded summary judgment in his wrongful death case, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday.
‘The wheels of justice must go on’: Indiana Supreme Court hears first remote arguments
Joining the trend of appellate courts nationwide, the Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday took the historic step of hearing oral arguments via videoconference in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Justices extend deadline for trial court transition plans to May 30
The Indiana Supreme Court has extended the deadline through May 30 for courts to submit transition plans for expanded trial court operations. The order also extends through the end of May emergency relief granted to trial courts in response to COVID-19.
Ex-youth coach’s 15-year rape sentence upheld on appeal
The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld a former youth football coach’s 15-year prison sentence for raping the sister of one of his players after luring her to his Fort Wayne home with the promise of a cheerleading coaching position.
Investigators’ interview tactics merit suppression, COA affirms
A prosecutor and detective who questioned a woman who was later charged in a child molesting investigation may not use any of her statements after she said wanted to be taken home, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday, rejecting an appeal by the state.
Justices fear ‘chaos’ if states can’t bind electors’ votes
Supreme Court justices invoked fears of bribery and chaos Wednesday to suggest they think states can require presidential electors to back their states’ popular vote winner in the Electoral College.
Teen’s attempted murder reversal splits COA in first-impression case
Is the parent of a juvenile defendant waived to adult court “essential” to the presentation of that juvenile’s defense? The majority of a split Indiana Court of Appeals panel concluded the answer to that question was yes, despite a dissenting judge’s opinion.
Award of custody to father reversed after no findings support ruling
A court that awarded custody of an 8-year-old child to the father after a modification proceeding had no evidence that doing so was in the child’s best interests, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday, reversing the custody determination.
Appeals court tosses suit against nurses who blew whistle on ex-employer
Three former case managers for a home health care service provider won a reversal from the Indiana Court of Appeals after it concluded that reports they made to the Health Department against their employer are protected by absolute privilege because they initiated a quasi-judicial proceeding.
Southern District extends COVID-19 in-person restrictions
No in-person proceedings will take place at the Southern District Court until June 15, except under emergency circumstances, the district court announced in a Tuesday order. That date, however, is subject to change depending on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in each of the district court’s four divisions, the order says.
Supreme Court appears likely to reject Trump immunity claim
The United States Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared likely to reject President Donald Trump’s claim that he is immune from criminal investigation while in office. But the court seemed less clear about exactly how to handle subpoenas from Congress and the Manhattan district attorney for Trump’s tax, bank and financial records.
Big data is predicting outcomes in court
Big data is growing in importance, and corporate legal departments, despite being slower to adapt initially, are increasingly utilizing data analytics as part of their practices, according to a 2019 report. But despite all the hype, big data, by itself, cannot do a thing.
Fishers couple’s reconviction in toddler’s daycare death affirmed
The involuntary manslaughter conviction of a Fishers couple after a retrial over the death of a toddler at their home daycare facility has been upheld by a divided panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals.