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.
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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.
Justices: Product Liability Act’s statute of repose can’t be extend for post-sale repair
Indiana Supreme Court justices Monday answered in the negative a question of whether the Indiana Products Liability Act’s statute of repose may apply to a judicially-created exception to the rule, finding it could not be extended by a manufacturer’s post-delivery repair, refurbishment or reconstruction of a disputed product.
Tax Court: Length of stay does not change character of hotel
A property owner could not convince the Indiana Tax Court that because its business offered rooms for extended stays, the property should be classified as residential and subjected to the lower 2% tax cap credit.
Muncie lawyer gets suspension, JLAP monitoring for having cocaine
A Delaware County lawyer found with drugs in his home will serve a four-month suspension, plus probationary monitoring under the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program. The order culminates the sixth formal disciplinary action against the Muncie attorney.
Money judgment upheld after ‘de factor merger’ affirmed
A de facto merger existed between two companies operated under a “continuity of management,” the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday, upholding a judgment against the successor entity.
COA orders new trial on repeat sexual, habitual criminal offender enhancements
The Indiana Court of Appeals has vacated a man’s habitual offender adjudications and remanded them for a new trial after finding he did not personally waive his right to a jury trial on the two enhancements.
Lawyer who wrote client refund check that bounced reprimanded
An attorney whose dissatisfied immigration client sued her in small claims court after the attorney’s check for unearned services bounced has been reprimanded by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Supreme Court will decide fate of Obama health care law
The Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide a lawsuit that threatens the Obama-era health care law, but the decision is not likely until after the 2020 election.
Reversal: Trial court erred in awarding joint custody in tense parental dispute
A mother will have sole legal custody of her children after the Indiana Court of Appeals concluded a trial court erred in awarding joint legal custody between two warring parents.
Detective’s false testimony won’t lead to vacated conviction, COA rules
A man convicted of obstruction of justice following the murder of his stepmom did not convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that his conviction should be vacated based on a detective’s false testimony.
Square peg, roundabout hole: COA affirms suppression motion in roundabout dispute
Does a motorist violate current Indiana traffic law by not signaling a turn when exiting a roundabout? The answer is no, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Friday in affirming a suppression ruling.
Judgment affirmed for bank in mortgage foreclosure
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed an award of summary judgment for a bank and trust company in a mortgage foreclosure case brought by a Noblesville couple, rejecting the couple’s evidentiary challenges.
For a historic high court pick, Dems must think outside box
Joe Biden is dangling a history-making promise shortly before South Carolina’s presidential primary Saturday, the first 2020 contest featuring a majority black electorate. Elect him president, Biden says, and he might nominate the first black woman to the Supreme Court.
COA splits over length of woman’s consecutive sentences for drug dealing
The Indiana Court of Appeals divided Thursday on a woman’s consecutive sentences for drug dealing convictions, with a dissenting judge contending her 24½-year term should be shorter.
Volunteers to gather Wednesday for CASA Day celebration
Hoosiers who volunteer their time and energy advocating on behalf of kids in the child welfare system will have a chance next week to celebrate more than three decades of effort.
Protective order reversed for insufficient evidence
A man seeking to be rid of a protective order brought against him by his ex-girlfriend convinced the Indiana Court of Appeals that insufficient evidence supported the order.