Jury awards $27M in damages
The damages trial dealt with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder issues stemming from a propane water heater explosion.
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Justices accept 2 appeals and deny 24 cases
The Indiana Supreme Court has accepted two cases, one involving a tax revenue assessment dispute and a second asking how trial judges decide on restraining defendants who disrupt courtroom proceedings.
Photos admissible when evidence has been destroyed
In an appeal from a man convicted of Class B dealing in methamphetamine and Class B misdemeanor visiting a common nuisance, the Indiana Court of Appeals has held that photos of a methamphetamine lab were admissible because the physical evidence had been destroyed.
COA sides with appellant in probation violation complaint
The Indiana Court of Appeals has held that when a probation is transferred between Indiana counties, the receiving county assumes supervisory authority over the case.
Third volume of Restatement of Property published
Attorneys and judges now have more scholarly guidance on wills and other donation-related issues in civil law, after a national organization released its third and final volume of the Restatement (Third) of Property: Wills and Other Donative Transfers.
Former city-county councilor sentenced to 40 months
U.S. Senior Judge Larry McKinney on Thursday sentenced former Indianapolis City-County Councilor Lincoln Plowman to 40 months in federal prison for attempted extortion and bribery.
Jasper County high school students to observe Court of Appeals oral argument
The Indiana Court of Appeals will hear arguments in Paul K. Ogden v. Robertson et. al. at 2 p.m. EST Dec. 6 at Rensselaer Central High School, 1106 E. Grace St.
7th Circuit affirms ruling against woman kicked out of public housing
A woman who challenged the Housing Authority of South Bend’s decision to terminate her lease for federally subsidized public housing because of criminal activity lost her appeal before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Appellate court upholds criminal recklessness conviction
The Indiana Court of Appeals determined there was sufficient evidence to uphold a man’s conviction of criminal recklessness regarding his firing of a gun.
Court seeks comment on changes to civil local rules
The U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, is seeking comment on proposed amendments to dozens of its local rules. If adopted, the amendments will become effective Jan. 1, 2012.
Technical issues interrupt COA webcasts
The Indiana Court of Appeals will not have any webcast videos, and potentially no audio, for at least several days, the court announced Wednesday.
‘Inextricably intertwined’ exception appropriate under state constitution
The Indiana Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that under Article 1, Section 13 of the Indiana Constitution, the right to counsel is violated only where a different offense is inextricably intertwined with the charge on which counsel is already representing the defendant.
Judges find ex post facto claim waived
The man who raised a constitutional challenge to the propriety of his conviction of failing to register as a sex offender waived his ex post facto claim when he entered into a plea agreement, the Indiana Court of Appeals held Wednesday.
Changes to federal courts effective Thursday
Several changes are coming to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana and the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Indiana Thursday.
Application process open for federal defense panel
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana is accepting applications from attorneys interested in serving on the court’s Criminal Justice Act panel for the Indianapolis and Terre Haute divisions.
Majority reverses Hopper advisement created last year
A divided Indiana Supreme Court has reversed its 2010 decision to require pro se defendants be informed about the dangers of pleading guilty without an attorney. Two of the justices who originally voted to create the “Hopper advisement” found themselves in the minority on the high court’s decision on rehearing.
Marion County judge admonished for fundraising flyer
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications has admonished a Marion Superior judge for mailing a questionable re-election fundraising flyer that it says put the judiciary in a negative light and implied that justice is for sale.
COA addresses impact of guilty pleas on immigration status
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of a man’s petitions for post-conviction relief, finding his attorneys’ failure to advise him of adverse immigration consequences of pleading guilty did not prejudice his defense.
Appellate judges travel to Indianapolis high school
The Indiana Court of Appeals will hear arguments in Christopher Bryant v. State of Indiana Tuesday at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis.
Judge grants limited class certification in stage collapse lawsuit
While she said she doubts the plaintiffs can win their case, U.S. Judge Sarah Evans Barker is allowing limited class certification in a lawsuit challenging the state’s $5 million damage liability cap. Plaintiffs incurred injuries in the Indiana State Fair stage collapse Aug. 13.