Justices could limit job bias lawsuits against churches
The Supreme Court said Wednesday it will consider expanding protections for churches against job-discrimination claims.
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Filings show starkly different views of AG Hill’s alleged misconduct
As the parties await a hearing officer’s report in the lawyer discipline case against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, their competing filings urge the hearing officer to take very different views of the underlying sexual misconduct allegations in making her recommendation to the Indiana Supreme Court.
Reversal: Court wrongly denied divorce continuance after counsel withdrew
The Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed the denial of a man’s motion to continue his divorce proceedings after his attorney withdrew as counsel just one day before the case’s final hearing.
7th Circuit: Officer who broke resisting arrestee’s leg entitled to qualified immunity
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed an Indianapolis police officer is entitled to qualified immunity in a federal civil-rights lawsuit filed after he took down a handcuffed man, fracturing the suspect’s leg in the process.
COA tosses jury verdict in Kokomo land-taking case, slashes damages
A Howard Superior jury’s damages award of $305,600 plus legal fees was voided Wednesday by the Indiana Court of Appeals, which instead ordered the trial court to enter judgment of just $100,000 to owners of property in Kokomo that the city condemned.
Trial court ruling against city to enforce mediation deal reversed
A northern Indiana trial court erred in ordering the city of Plymouth to enforce a mediation settlement agreement to pay a contractor $130,000 because terms of the agreement had not been fulfilled, an appellate panel ruled Wednesday.
COA affirms addition of farmland contractual interests in marital estate
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed the dissolution of a man’s marriage, finding the inclusion of his contractual interests in purchased farmland in the martial estate was not an abuse of discretion.
Disciplinary commission urges 2-year suspension for AG Hill
Competing filings in the disciplinary case against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill call for the Republican AG to face a sanction as severe as a two-year suspension or as little as nothing at all.
Landscaper’s home fraud conviction vacated
A man convicted of home-improvement fraud after being hired to landscape a yard had his conviction vacated Tuesday, when the Indiana Court of Appeals found his conduct did not fall under the home improvement fraud statute.
72-year sentence upheld for teen convicted in convenience store murder
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed the decades-long sentence against a then-teenager who killed a convenience store clerk during an attempted robbery.
Report: 5th straight year with under 30 executions in US
Fewer than 30 people were executed in the United States and under 50 new death sentences were imposed for the fifth straight year, part of a continuing decline in capital punishment that saw only a few states carry out executions, a new report issued Tuesday said.
Justices to take up dispute over subpoenas for Trump records
The Supreme Court said Friday it will hear President Donald Trump’s pleas to keep his tax, bank and financial records private, a major confrontation between the president and Congress that also could affect the 2020 presidential campaign.
Justices agree to hear Ohio River billboard dispute
The Indiana Supreme Court has granted transfer to a case involving an economic development group’s suit against a southern Indiana town over its plans to allow billboards near an Ohio River bridge.
Supreme Court lifts another suspension against Fort Wayne attorney
A Fort Wayne attorney facing multiple disciplinary actions has had his suspension in one of those actions terminated, though he remains ineligible to practice law in Indiana.
Allen County annexation, tax dispute back at COA
An annexation dispute over allocation of tax dollars is back before the Indiana Court of Appeals, which this time could resolve the merits question of whether a city or a fire district is entitled to the disputed tax revenues.
Indiana Supreme Court order recertifies 61 senior judges
More than five dozen veteran Indiana jurists were recertified this week to serve as senior judges in Indiana trial and appellate courts next year.
HOA fight for tax refunds can’t be heard due to lack of jurisdiction
The Indiana Court of Appeals has dismissed motions brought by two homeowners associations, finding the Marion Superior Court cannot order the county treasurer to refund the associations for overpayment of taxes.
Father loses appeal of denied petition to terminate guardianship
A father’s failed attempt to vacate a guardianship order was upheld at the Indiana Court of Appeals, which also warned his counsel against “vitriolic language” accusing the opposing party and trial court of improper motives.
Lake County man’s 5-year sentence for shooting upheld
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed that a Lake County man’s five-year sentence for shooting someone multiple times must be served despite his pre-sentencing rehabilitation efforts.
Tax Court affirms lakeshore property assessment
A lakeshore property owner in northern Indiana was unable to convince the Indiana Tax Court on Wednesday that an abuse of discretion took place when his vacant lot was assessed at a higher rate than he had hoped.