Panel dismisses contempt appeal as moot
A man held in contempt of court after a judge determined he threatened witnesses in his brother’s murder case had his appeal dismissed Tuesday.
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New Castle denied appellate legal fees in frivolous suit
A New Castle couple doesn’t have to pay the city’s appellate legal fees in its appeal of a frivolous litigation ruling, but they still must pay New Castle’s legal bills for the trial court filing.
IU pot-suspension appeal ‘near frivolous,’ 7th Circuit rules
An Indiana University student’s appeal of his suspension after a large marijuana plant and other evidence of illegal drug use were discovered in his dorm room “is near frivolous,” a panel of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled.
Judge blocks ‘contraception mandate’ for Catholic diocese plaintiffs
A federal judge in Fort Wayne has blocked enforcement of the “contraception mandate” for numerous health care providers in a lawsuit brought by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. The ruling could impact more than 10,000 people eligible for benefits through a number of diocese-related organizations.
Ex-coroner settles malpractice suit against Brizzi
One of two legal malpractice suits filed against former Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi has been settled.
Repeal of administrative code abolishes 3-year limit for filing petitions
In a ruling that it conceded could “open the floodgates,” the Indiana Tax Court found neither state statute nor regulations provided any time limits for homeowners to file petitions to correct error on their property tax assessments.
Shepard, Hamilton honored for support of civic education
Retired Indiana Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard and retired U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton were recognized at the We the People awards dinner with the William Baker Award.
Remove Judge Kimberly Brown, special masters recommend
Marion Superior Judge Kimberly Brown should be removed from the bench, a panel of three special masters has recommended to the Indiana Supreme Court.
Indiana Lawyer 2013 Year in Review
From big judgments to busy law schools and attorneys in trouble, the Indiana legal community saw it all in 2013. We asked you what you thought were the biggest news stories last year. Here's a recap of what made headlines, with your Top 2 picks kicking off the list.
Can parents sue DCS? Yes, divided justices rule
A sharply divided Indiana Supreme Court decision that a family may sue the state’s child protection agency for negligence is sure to resonate within the Department of Child Services, attorneys familiar with the case said.
Untying the knot yourself
Couples forgoing legal counsel in divorce risk creating big messes the courts can’t clean up.
Criminal law committee passes pilot programs, studies
Four proposals approved during the final meeting of the Criminal Law and Sentencing Policy Study Committee appear headed for consideration during the 2014 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
Indiana’s courthouses receive renewed attention ahead of state bicentennial
Chris Flook has an eye for Indiana’s courthouses and courthouse squares. He’s photographed all 92.
AG finds no caselaw that answers same-sex amendment question
Nearly 13 minutes into a press conference touting the accomplishments of his office in 2013, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller got a question on a topic he may have been hoping to avoid – same-sex marriage.
In monster-truck bankruptcy, courts errantly denied ex-wife’s claim
Federal Bankruptcy and District courts wrongly denied a woman’s claim against the estate of her ex-husband and business partner who owed her money after they divorced and unwound a monster-truck business for which she had lent money.
COA affirms post-conviction relief for ineffective counsel
A man who was convicted of multiple felonies related to a two-day instance of domestic violence in which he “terrorized” his girlfriend in their apartment will be resentenced on a lesser charge on one conviction.
Appeals court affirms out-of-state placement of child with father
A mother whose son was placed with his father in California after the Department of Child Services found her children to be children in need of services failed to convince a panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals that the placement was erroneous or that the DCS didn’t make a reasonable effort to preserve the family.
Bill pledges greater gun immunity, protection for judges
Judicial officers would be granted the same ability to carry firearms and immunity as law enforcement officers under a bill introduced by the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Exclusive appeal notice filing with state clerk begins Jan. 1
Attorneys who don’t file a notice of appeal with the Office of the Clerk of the Indiana Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Tax Court after Jan. 1 will forfeit their right to appeal.