Sen. Landske diagnosed with lung cancer, will stay in office
Indiana State Sen. Sue Landske (R-Cedar Lake) announced Wednesday that she will undergo treatment for lung cancer but intends to continue to serve after almost 30 years in the Senate.
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Criminal code committee still trying to answer funding and sentencing questions
The Indiana General Assembly passed an overhaul of the state’s criminal code during 2013 but left two major issues for the upcoming session – funding and sentencing.
Appellate arguments in cancelled IBM contract set for Nov. 25
A panel on the Indiana Court of Appeals will hear arguments later this month on whether the state should have to pay more than $62 million to IBM after cancelling its billion-dollar contract with the company to modernize Indiana’s welfare system.
Judge denies Brizzi’s bid for gag order in malpractice suit
A judge Tuesday denied former Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi’s request for a gag order in the legal malpractice claim filed against him by defrocked Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White.
COA rejects claim overhaul of Criminal Code shows Class A felonies disproportionate
A defendant attempted to persuade the Indiana Court of Appeals that the Class A felony classifications for dealing or possession of cocaine are disproportionate by pointing to the recent revisions to the Criminal Code. The new criminal classifications and sentencing structure that take effect next year no longer include these crimes in the highest level of felonies.
Post-conviction claim allowed in DOC placement change
Offenders may seek post-conviction relief from Department of Correction placement changes, the Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday after the state revised its view that a claim should be dismissed.
How the Brizzi public-corruption case unraveled
Federal authorities suffered a near-complete defeat in their efforts to prosecute the players in an unusual real estate deal in Elkhart, a setback that ultimately doomed an ambitious public-corruption case targeting former Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi.
Is a death certificate public information?
Differing interpretations of statutory language puts the state of Indiana and the Court of Appeals at odds.
Lawyer expertise and experience lift Honor Flight to new heights
Law brings people together but not often for positive reasons. Fortunately for Bob Kistler, an associate at Faegre Baker Daniels LLP in Fort Wayne, the law and a fellow lawyer forged his connection to Honor Flight.
AG announces largest-ever health care fraud settlement
Indiana will receive its largest-ever health care fraud settlement as part of a $2.2 billion agreement with Johnson & Johnson for illegal off-label marketing and kickbacks to promote Risperdal, Invega and other drugs, according to a statement from Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller.
Public meeting about health care reform scheduled for Monday evening
Two state legislators will be holding a public forum about the Affordable Care Act Monday evening in Indianapolis.
Martinsville native named commissioner of state’s department of labor
A former general counsel in the Indiana Department of Labor has been appointed by Gov. Mike Pence to lead the agency.
Judge sentences attorney Page to probation, fine
Attorney and real estate developer Paul J. Page will serve two years of probation and pay a $10,000 fine for concealing the source of a $362,000 down payment on his purchase of a state-leased office building in Elkhart.
State can’t keep interest earned on unclaimed property
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed Thursday with an Indiana woman acting as guardian for a relative that the state can’t retain the interest earned on unclaimed property once the owner files a valid claim to the property. Katherine Cerajeski argued that action by the state is a taking that violates the takings clause in the Constitution because the owner is paid nothing for his lost interest.
Appeals panel rules former same-sex partner has standing to seek visitation
A former same-sex domestic partner of a woman who gave birth to a child has standing to seek visitation, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday, reversing a trial court in an opinion begging lawmakers to speak to the rights of same-sex couples in parenting disputes.
Zoeller moves to strike Ritz’s suit against Board of Education
Attorney General Greg Zoeller Thursday asked a court to throw out a lawsuit filed by Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz against the Indiana Board of Education.
Overwhelming evidence of guilt trumps defendant’s post-conviction claims
The Indiana Court of Appeals upheld a northern Indiana man’s life without parole sentence for killing a police officer in 1997, finding the post-conviction court did not err when it denied him a new trial.
Court upholds 2-year suspension of teacher’s license
An administrative law judge in the Indiana Department of Education correctly imposed a two-year suspension of a special education teacher’s license, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday. The court found no error in the ALJ’s reliance on a California case when considering whether to revoke or suspend a teaching license.
Judges persuade Commission on Courts to reject bail bond proposal and review use of psychologists
Proposed legislation regarding bail bonds died Oct. 21 in the Indiana General Assembly’s Commission on Courts hearing after Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Brent Dickson raised concerns about constitutionality and legislative overreach.
When security actions become unconstitutional snooping
Indiana University Maurer School of Law professors join the effort to curb government surveillance.