Hundreds of volunteers celebrate strides made in child advocacy at CASA Day
Hundreds of CASA volunteers formed a wave of blue at the Indiana Statehouse on Wednesday in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Indiana State Office of GAL/CASA.
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7th Circuit reinstates prisoner case after 3 denied requests for counsel
A prisoner’s case has been reinstated after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found the Indiana Northern District Court’s denial of his three requests for appointed counsel prejudiced him.
COA reverses for Madison County commissioners in redistricting ordinance dispute
A redistricting dispute initially resolved in favor of two citizens has been reversed in favor of the local Madison County government after the Indiana Court of Appeals found that an ordinance meant to more evenly distribute the population did not run afoul of the controlling redistricting statute. The ruling comes as Indiana prepares for the 2020 election season.
Charlestown zoo inspection to proceed as scheduled, judge rules
An inspection of a controversial Charlestown zoo will continue as scheduled this weekend after an Indianapolis judge denied a motion to stay the inspection until the identities of the inspectors are revealed.
Royalties dispute over Indiana surgeon’s inventions returning to state court
An ongoing royalties dispute between Indiana spine surgeon Rick Sasso and medical-device giant Medtronic will continue in state court despite Medtronic’s efforts to remove the matter to a federal judge.
Custody ruling for mother upheld on appeal
The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld the grant of sole legal custody to the mother of a child with a rare genetic disorder upon finding the parents’ disagreements about the child’s medical and educational needs was impeding her development.
Justices OK state charges for immigrants who use fake IDs
The Supreme Court made it easier Tuesday for states to prosecute immigrants who use fake Social Security numbers to get a job. The issue for the court was whether states could pursue the immigrants in court or had to leave those choices to the federal government, which typically has authority over immigration.
Roberts chides Schumer for ‘dangerous’ remarks on 2 justices
Chief Justice John Roberts on Wednesday criticized as “inappropriate” and “dangerous” comments that Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer made outside the Supreme Court earlier in the day about Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.
Supreme Court divided in 1st big abortion case of Trump era
A seemingly divided Supreme Court struggled Wednesday with its first major abortion case of the Trump era, leaving Chief Justice John Roberts as the likely deciding vote.
Charlestown zoo says state must provide inspector identities before inspection
The Charlestown zoo at the center both state and federal litigation is asking an Indianapolis court to delay an inspection scheduled to begin Friday until the identities of the inspectors are revealed, arguing the state litigation is being used to bolster federal claims brought by the animal-rights group PETA.
7th Circuit: Collateral-attack waivers in plea deals defeat firearms appeals
Two men claiming their firearms convictions should be invalidated after a 2019 Supreme Court ruling failed to find relief at the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled that collateral-attack waivers in their plea agreements were valid and thus defeated their challenges to their convictions and sentences.
COA largely reaffirms ruling against quadriplegic in $35M car crash judgment
A panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals again denied relief to a man left permanently disabled in a drunken-driving crash, but the panel in a brief opinion on rehearing issued Wednesday corrected a prior statement of fact in the case.
COA upholds sentence for man who repeatedly stabbed wife
A Lake County man who stabbed repeatedly stabbed his wife did not convince the Indiana Court of Appeals on Wednesday that his nearly 30-year sentence for the crime was inappropriate.
Horse sense: Man’s case reinstated, counsel’s sanctions lifted on appeal
A LaPorte County man who tried to legally close the barn door after his horses allegedly got out and injured his neighbor must stand trial, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday. The panel also found the trial court erred by closing the courthouse door to evidence that it wasn’t the first time these horses went on the lam.
Federal legislation would grow, sustain veterans court programs
As veterans court programs expand nationwide, the federal government is exploring opportunities to provide additional resources to local courts. If enacted, the Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2019 would task the Department of Justice with establishing an office to provide additional funding and technical assistance to veterans courts.
Lawmakers honor retiring Judge Baker with jokes, well wishes
A staple of the Indiana judiciary for more than 40 years, Indiana Court of Appeals Judge John G. Baker was honored by members of the Legislature ahead of his impending retirement.
Indiana Court decisions – Feb. 13-26, 2020
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
Judges portrayed as aggressors in gunman’s self-defense claim
Did Brandon Kaiser pull the trigger on two Indiana judges only after they attacked him and placed him in fear for his life? He claims in court filings they did. But even as the judges involved in the now-infamous brawl have retaken the bench after brief suspensions, video that could prove conclusive remains under a court seal.
Legislation, lawsuits used to combat Indiana’s lead problem as contamination cases persist
Organizations and individuals around Indiana have been pushing for a solution to the lead problem. The toxin is everywhere and exposure, especially in very young children, can cause lifelong cognitive impairment.
Justice center’s first building — addictions, mental health center — nears completion
City leaders can look southeast out the top floors of the City-County Building and see the Community Justice Campus taking shape in the Twin Aire neighborhood. Today, officials are just six months from a tentative opening for the first piece of the project, the 37,000-square-foot Assessment and Intervention Center.