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.
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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.
Total Wine & More wins round in court fight to open in Indiana
Total Wine & More, the national alcohol retailer with more than 200 stores in 24 states, is a step closer to doing business in Indiana after a federal court has temporarily barred the Hoosier state from enforcing its statutory prohibitions that keep out-of-state businesses from holding liquor permits.
Starke County man’s appeal to appear on primary ballots rejected
A man fighting to get his name on the 2020 Starke County Republican primary ballot just weeks before the election had his case dismissed by an Indiana Court of Appeals panel on Tuesday.
Supreme Court to hear clash over Trump tax, bank records
The Supreme Court of the United States on Tuesday will take up President Donald Trump’s bid to keep his tax, bank and financial records private, a major clash over presidential accountability that could affect the 2020 presidential campaign.
Indiana justices begin remote oral arguments on Thursday
Indiana Supreme Court justices will start hearing oral arguments through videoconferencing later this week. Their first case deals with a medical malpractice dispute involving an unwilling prospective juror who was thought to be evading jury duty.
SCOTUS begins second week of arguments with live audio
Ready for round 2? The United States Supreme Court is holding its second week of arguments by telephone because of the coronavirus pandemic, with audio available live to audiences around the world.
COA upholds millions in damages for centrifuge company against ex-employees
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed an award of millions to a centrifuge company after two of its former employees took thousands of protected files in the creation of their own startup competitor company.