Kokomo woman charged after 2 kids positive for meth, THC
A Kokomo woman faces neglect charges after two children in her care tested positive for methamphetamine and her infant son was found to be severely malnourished.
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National court leaders gather in Indy to discuss opioid crisis
Court leaders from across the country met in Indianapolis on Tuesday to brainstorm how the judiciary can best respond to the nation’s opioid epidemic. Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush co-chairs the National Judicial Opioid Task Force.
COA to hear argument in Lawrence, Clark counties this week
The Indiana Court of Appeals is headed south this week to hear oral arguments in Clark and Lawrence counties.
Former Vigo County commissioner faces new drug charges
A former Vigo County commissioner was charged with drug possession and domestic violence last week, nearly 10 years after he was first convicted of a drug crime. David W. Decker has been charged with possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of paraphernalia, invasion of privacy and domestic battery.
COA: Syringe offense not subject to felony enhancement
A felony enhancement against a Clinton County man convicted of possessing a syringe must be dismissed after the Indiana Court of Appeals found the man’s offense is not subject to an enhancement.
COA rejects Proportionality Clause claim, affirms 35-year sentence
A man convicted of multiple felony counts in 2011 and sentenced to an aggregate of 35 years in prison failed to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that he was entitled to post-conviction relief under a Proportionality Clause theory.
Marion attorney suspended after cocaine conviction
A Marion attorney who pleaded guilty to a felony drug offense earlier this year is now under an interim suspension from the practice of law.
IU McKinney professor to testify before Senate on opioid crisis
An Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law professor is headed to Washington, D.C., to testify before the U.S. Senate about his work combatting the ongoing opioid crisis. Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly announced Tuesday that IU McKinney professor Nicolas P. Terry will testify before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging.
Marion County seeks needle exchange amid hepatitis C surge
A public health emergency has been declared in Marion County amid surging hepatitis C cases in Indianapolis that officials hope to combat with a needle-exchange. The county’s health department director declared the health emergency Thursday amid a 1,000 percent increase in hepatitis C between 2013 and 2017.
Supreme Court greenlights driver rights in rental car case
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that people who borrow rental cars from friends or family are generally entitled to the same protections against police searches as the authorized driver.
COA upholds exclusion of drug evidence from car search
Evidence taken from the search of a car after a man was stopped in Jennings County on a traffic violation was properly suppressed by the trial court, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday.
COA: Participating in needle exchange doesn’t excuse drug activity
A Lawrence County man who argued he had “legal authority” to possess two syringes under the county’s needle exchange program has lost his appeal of his possession of paraphernalia conviction, with the Indiana Court of Appeals rejecting the notion that needle exchanges excuse illegal drug activity. However, the court overturned another of the man’s drug convictions for lack of evidence.
District court ordered to reopen drug felon’s life sentence
A convicted drug felon whose previous New Mexico convictions were vacated has successfully appealed an Indiana district court’s decision not to reopen his federal life sentence, with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling his sentencing challenge was based on the notion that his New Mexico convictions no longer exist.
New Indiana program addresses maternal opioid crisis
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb joined state health officials Monday in announcing a new program that targets opioid addiction among mothers and newborns.
Indiana cities, counties sue over opioid epidemic
Dozens of Indiana towns, cities and counties have sued drugmakers and distributors, joining more than 500 nationwide who claim pharmaceutical giants disregarded the risks of the addiction by placing profits above public health.
Report: Law changes could help combat Indiana opioid crisis
Indiana University experts who assessed the state's opioid epidemic have made recommendations for how Indiana can better address the crisis.
Madison County considers needle exchange program contract
Commissioners in a central Indiana county that ended its needle exchange last year are expected to vote to allow a local behavioral health system to resume the program.
COA affirms denial of motion to suppress drug evidence
A man found slumped over a steering wheel who later admitted to possessing methamphetamine and marijuana has lost his appeal of the denial of his motion to suppress the evidence against him. The Indiana Court of Appeals found the seizure of the man was constitutionally permissible.
IU’s pretrial diversion program sees fewer participants
Indiana University’s pretrial diversion program had a record low number of offenders this year who tried to work off misdemeanors collected during weekend celebrations for a student bicycle race. Those who successfully complete the program can eventually have certain charges dismissed, including public intoxication.
Patients, doctors concerned about new Indiana opioid limits
Some patients and doctors in Indiana are worried that increased restrictions imposed in response to the national opioid epidemic may reduce access to necessary medication.