Governor appoints Bonaventura as DCS head
Gov. Mike Pence named Lake Superior Juvenile Senior Judge Mary Beth Bonaventura as director of the Department of Child Services Wednesday.
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Defense attorneys in Bales case trash former co-defendant
Indianapolis attorney and developer Paul J. Page is no longer a co-defendant in the fraud trial of real estate broker John M. Bales and a partner after agreeing to a plea deal, but you wouldn't know it from the action Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.
Senate panel advances DCS oversight measure
A proposed commission that grew from a study committee examining problems at the Department of Child Services cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday.
Bales defense: Elkhart deal was a ‘scheme to help’
Facing a looming deadline to find suitable office space for the state Department of Child Services and the prospect that abused or neglected children in Elkhart County could go without services, real estate broker John M. Bales and partner Bill Spencer in 2008 dipped into their own pockets to help close a difficult lease deal, their defense attorneys contend.
Lawmakers amend bill to restrict sex offenders’ access to social media
In response to a ruling by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, two Indiana lawmakers have introduced a proposal restricting sex offenders from using social media sites.
Steuerwald: Lawmakers rewriting Indiana’s outdated criminal code
Rewriting Indiana’s criminal code is an issue that my colleagues and I have spent years analyzing. The code has been enhanced in the past, but there has not been a significant overhaul since 1977.
U.S. Supreme Court decision ignited grassroots effort to amend the Constitution
In the fight over corporate influence in politics, one group is hoping the voice of the people can trump the allure of money.
Debate over health care expansion heating up
Since hospitals are seeing cuts in Medicare, they’re asking the Indiana Legislature to enlarge the Medicaid program.
Dickson’s State of Judiciary highlights interplay of judiciary, Legislature
Indiana Chief Justice Brent Dickson’s first State of the Judiciary address after 27 years on the bench produced a few collegial chuckles as he offered examples of checks and balances and noted lawmakers had rewritten laws in response to at least three Supreme Court opinions in the last year.
Sovereign citizens disavow legal system, make bogus filings aimed at police, judges
Martin Jonassen describes himself as a sovereign citizen, one of a loose affiliation of people who believe most laws don’t apply to them. Adherents also strive to make life difficult and sometimes dangerous for law enforcement and the judiciary, and Indiana lawmakers have taken notice.
Marion County Clerk offering sweethearts a chance to say ‘I do’ to a healthy cause
While giving your heart to your Valentine, you can also help keep other hearts healthy.
Lawmakers discuss same-sex marriage and criminal code revisions at IU McKinney Law School
Two Republican lawmakers are backing off support for holding a second vote on the same-sex marriage amendment, advocating the Legislature take a wait-and-see approach.
Senate judiciary committee to look at abuse, DNA bills
The Senate Judiciary Committee meets at 9 a.m. Wednesday and has five bills on its agenda, including legislation that redefines child fatality committees in each county.
7th Circuit orders SSA take another look at woman’s case
Finding that the administrative law judge hearing a southern Indiana woman’s claim for disability insurance benefits made several errors in his consideration of the record, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals sent the case back to the Social Security Administration for more proceedings.
Probate, child seduction bills move out of committees
Several bills moved out of legislative committee this week, including one that would expand the definition of child seduction to include a mental health professional engaging in certain sexual behavior with a patient between 16 and 18 years old.
Senator files bill restricting educational credit time for sex offenders
Sen. Jim Merritt, R-Indianapolis, announced Wednesday that he has introduced legislation to revise the state’s education credit law for sex offenders. He said eight months ago that he would seek to change the law after a sex offender was released early after earning this type of credit.
Lake Superior judge to be honored for service at MLK event
Gov. Mike Pence will recognize four people for their service and commitment to the community, including Lake Superior Judge Calvin D. Hawkins, at an event honoring the life and works of Martin Luther King Jr. Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at the Indiana Statehouse.
Indiana Democrats trying to jumpstart conversation on health care
A coalition of Democratic senators and representatives gathered at the Indiana Statehouse Wednesday morning to “jumpstart the conversation” on health care exchanges and Medicaid expansion.
Smartphones replacing cash
Mobile payments are becoming popular, but consumers must proactively protect against fraud.
Ruling: DOC ‘indifferent’ to mentally ill inmates
The opinion from the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Indiana fits the national trend against isolation policy for these inmates.