COA sides with Live Nation in naming dispute
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed the trial court’s dismissal of the Murat Temple Association’s claim that Live Nation Worldwide violated terms of its lease agreement.
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New disciplinary commission members named
The Indiana Supreme Court has appointed three new members to the Disciplinary Commission. Trent A. McCain of Merrillville, Andi M. Metzel of Indianapolis, and Nancy Cross of Carmel will each serve a five-year term. They replace Tony Zappia of South Bend, J. Mark Robinson of New Albany, and Sally Zweig of Indianapolis.
7th Circuit upholds denial of class action, statutory damages
In an appeal of the denial of a proposed class-action lawsuit based on the finding the attorney was inadequate to represent the class, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals noted that the attorney’s demeanor on appeal didn’t help his cause.
Court rules on genetic patents
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a ruling July 29 in a case that raised fundamental questions about the patentability of human genes.
Determining dependency in child support
A new law merges what guidelines had previously only recommended.
Formalizing relationships between unmarried couples
As the number of domestic partnerships increases, more couples are seeking legal agreements.
Rising CHINS cases cause concern
Southern Indiana counties struggle with increase in child abuse cases.
Indiana courts contemplate response to potential juror apathy
Kelly Scanlan can’t understand why people don’t want to serve on juries or why some don’t even respond to questionnaires and show up when called.
Appeals court: Federal judge should decide on state law claims
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has sent a case back to an Indianapolis judge, saying she didn’t properly weigh whether the case should be prolonged on remand to Hamilton Superior Court instead of her deciding on the issues that have already been fleshed out in federal court during the past year and a half.
Court could find juvenile must register as sex offender
A Montgomery Circuit Court had subject matter jurisdiction to order a juvenile to register as a sex offender for 10 years, the Indiana Court of Appeals held Monday.
Judge reduces death sentences to life without parole
If he’d had the ability more than three years ago to factor in a jury’s deadlocked view on the death penalty, a southern Indiana judge says he would have imposed life without parole rather than the death penalty for a man convicted of triple murder.
11th Circuit strikes portion of health-care reform law
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta ruled on a challenge to the federal health-care law filed by numerous states, including Indiana, and found the federal mandate that individuals have to purchase health insurance or face a penalty to be unconstitutional.
Man’s convictions upheld despite court’s use of inadmissible evidence
The Indiana Court of Appeals found a trial judge abused his discretion in admitting portions of a defendant’s out-of-court taped police statements, but the appellate panel determined that error was harmless and not reason to reverse the man’s multiple rape and sexual conduct convictions.
COA: Names in workforce development cases aren’t confidential
From now on, the Indiana Court of Appeals will publish full names of parties on workforce development review board cases after determining state statute doesn’t require those to be kept confidential in public court records.
Jefferson County Courthouse reopens
More than two years after an accidental fire destroyed the Jefferson County Courthouse roof and heavily damaged the upper floor, those displaced by the fire have moved back into the landmark.
7th Circuit senior judge dies
7th Circuit Court of Appeals Senior Judge Terence Thomas Evans has died. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the judge died at the University of Chicago Medical Center after suffering from a sudden serious illness.
Judge: Students’ off-campus Internet photos protected by First Amendment
A federal judge has ruled that a northern Indiana school district shouldn’t have disciplined two high school girls who posted racy online photos of themselves posing with phallic lollipops and simulating sexual acts because the pictures were outside of school and are protected by the First Amendment.
Indiana AG sues Florida foreclosure firm owned by lawyer
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has filed a complaint against a for-profit Florida foreclosure consultant company that Zoeller claims operated illegally in 15 Indiana counties and failed to provide refunds to customers after services were not provided.
Appeals court affirms sending employee appeal back to agency
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the grant of a fired Department of Correction employee’s petition for judicial review, finding that it was clear on the record that an administrative agency’s action was without evidentiary foundation. The appellate court noted the difficulty the judge had in conducting the judicial review due to deficiencies in recording testimony.