Drugs - The Indiana Lawyer

Courts as conveners: Task force led by Rush releases recommendations for judicial response to opioid crisis

December 11, 2019 | Olivia Covington

The National Judicial Opioid Task Force was created in 2017 to delve into ways the judiciary could get a handle on the opioid crisis. Co-chaired by Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush, the task force’s work culminated late last month in the release of a report that includes four findings and six recommendations for how courts can respond to the current drug scourge and be better prepared for the next addiction crisis.

CLE certifies attorneys to administer opioid overdose reversal drug

December 11, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

In addition to checking off two hours of CLE credit before the year’s end, attorneys who attended an Indianapolis Bar Association event earlier this month left certified to administer a life-saving drug. Lawyers learned how to properly use naloxone – commonly known by its brand name, Narcan – following a demonstration presented by the Indiana State Department of Health.

‘Kid from a cornfield’: Goff brings community mentality to Supreme Court bench

December 11, 2019 | Olivia Covington

He describes himself as “a kid from a cornfield.” And for Justice Christopher Goff, ties to his cornfield community run deep.

US Supreme Court rejects Arizona opioid case

December 10, 2019 | Associated Press

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a request by Arizona’s attorney general to force the Sackler family, which owns OxyContin-maker Purdue Pharma, to return billions of dollars they took out of the company.

Appeals on Wheels: Convicted man urges suppression of pre-Miranda statements

December 6, 2019 | IL Staff

The Indiana Court of Appeals will travel to northern Indiana next week to hear oral arguments in a case about the admission of a man’s statements made to police after being handcuffed but before he was read his Miranda rights.

Reversal: Dealing narcotics conviction not supported by sufficient evidence

December 5, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

The Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed a woman’s felony conviction for dealing narcotics, finding there was insufficient evidence to prove she committed the crime.

Man gets 5 years for threatening to bomb Lafayette courthouse

November 25, 2019 | Associated Press

A man who threatened to bomb a northwestern Indiana courthouse, prompting the building’s evacuation, has been sentenced to five years in prison. A special judge sentenced 48-year-old Michael Battering on Friday after detailing the lengthy criminal history he had amassed before he threatened to bomb the Tippecanoe County Courthouse in Lafayette.

Denial of belated drug-dealing sentence appeal affirmed

November 21, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of an Orange County man’s petition to file a belated appeal of his sentence, finding he had waived that right upon agreeing to a plea deal.

COA tosses belated probation revocation appeal

November 21, 2019 | Dave Stafford

Indiana Supreme Court rulings do not permit a belated appeal of a probation revocation, the Indiana Court of Appeals held in dismissing a man’s appeal in such a case Thursday.

Elkhart drug offender granted Holcomb’s first sentence commutation

November 20, 2019 | IL Staff

A convicted drug offender from northern Indiana will be released from prison about 1½ years early after Gov. Eric Holcomb commuted his sentence. The order issued Wednesday was the first sentence commutation during Holcomb’s term.

Reversal: Man’s drug convictions again tossed for speedy-trial violation

November 20, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

A Clark County man has again had his drug-related convictions vacated after the Indiana Court of Appeals concluded he was entitled to have them discharged when his request for a speedy trial was not met.

10 Clark Co. inmates charged in alleged jail drug-smuggling scheme

November 18, 2019 | Associated Press

Ten inmates at a southern Indiana jail are charged in an alleged scheme that authorities say used codes to help smuggle drugs into the jail. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office says the inmates worked with an outside contact who picked up drugs and hid them in the jail’s lobby, which inmates cleaned.

Probation revocation following positive drug tests affirmed

November 13, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed the revocation of a Kentucky man’s previously suspended sentence for an Indiana conviction after he admitted to violating his probation when he tested positive for illegal substances.

State drug czar McClelland announces retirement

November 7, 2019 | Samm Quinn and Indianapolis Business Journal Staff

The state’s first drug czar is retiring, and his deputy director will replace him. Jim McClelland, who was appointed the state’s executive director for drug prevention, treatment and enforcement in January 2017, announced his retirement Thursday.

Michigan City mayor facing felony charges amid reelection bid

November 5, 2019 | Olivia Covington

The 2019 Michigan City mayoral election is facing a controversial legal undercurrent as felony charges remain pending against Mayor Ron Meer. But as the LaPorte County court system searches for a judge who can take the case, Meer is alleging an “untenable conflict of interest” and possible political motivations should remove the proceedings from the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office.

Jury convicts Indianapolis man in 2017 triple slaying

November 4, 2019 | Associated Press

A jury has convicted an Indianapolis man of murder in the 2017 slaying of three people.

Muncie woman gets 6 years for dousing guest with hot grease

November 1, 2019 | Associated Press

A Muncie woman who pleaded guilty to dousing a house guest with a pan of hot grease has been sentenced to six years in prison. She told police she scalded her guest after accusing her of stealing deodorant.

Divided appeals court reverses habitual offender adjudication

October 31, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

A split Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed a man’s habitual offender adjudication after finding the state failed to bring him to trial within Indiana Criminal Rule 4(C)’s one-year statutory deadline.

Reasonable suspicion of drug activity prompts reversal in suppression case

October 30, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

The Indiana Court of Appeals on Wednesday reversed suppression of drug evidence in a man’s parole violation case that was found during a search of a rented storage unit.

Web Exclusive: Anti-doping counsel says athlete safety trumps sponsor preservation

October 30, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

Athlete well-being is paramount in sports. But the self-preservation of sponsors who support those athletes at times seems more important that ensuring their safety, an Indianapolis attorney and prominent anti-doping expert says.

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