Lawmakers taking second look at ‘second chance law’
Legislators want to take a second look at a new law passed this year that gives Indiana residents with nonviolent criminal histories a chance to limit public access to parts of their record.
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AG wants federal government added to lawsuit
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller filed motions in federal court Tuesday asking that the federal government be joined as a necessary party to the state’s immigration lawsuit.
Guidance offered on incarcerated parents’ attendance at termination hearings
Scolding the Indiana Department of Child Services for how it handled a parental termination case, the Indiana Supreme Court has found an incarcerated mother’s due process rights were not violated when she did not receive adequate notice about pending proceedings that would affect her rights as a parent or when she was not allowed to attend the hearings.
State justices accept certified question
The Indiana Supreme Court will consider a certified question from federal court concerning disability pension funds for police and firefighters who are already eligible and receiving benefits governed by Indiana statute.
Justices take FSSA reimbursement case
The Indiana Supreme Court has granted transfer to a case in which the Indiana Court of Appeals ordered a state agency to pay a long-term care facility after the agency terminated its contract with the facility.
City council discusses gun laws
On Oct. 24, the Hammond City Council will discuss ordinances introduced by Councilwoman Kim Poland that would repeal local gun laws in order to align with the new state laws.
Pros, cons of changes in domain naming
Patent attorneys wonder who will benefit from new process.
U.S. sees most significant patent reform in decades
Some Indiana attorneys think this new first-to-file process will create a race to the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office in order to obtain patent protection first.
Indiana State Fair tragedy renews cap debate
Indiana attorneys and legislators are embarking on a broader discussion about the state’s current tort claim cap and whether that decades-old limit is adequate to address the scope of this situation.
Legislative study committee to discuss UPL
The Indiana Probate Code Study Commission, which meets for the first time this year on Wednesday, will focus on three items at its meeting, including the unauthorized practice of law.
Deadline approaching for criminal justice grant
On Sept. 30, the Bureau of Justice Assistance announced an award of $4,423,859 for the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG). The deadline to apply for JAG funds is Oct. 31.
Commission urges discipline for former Marion County prosecutor
The Indiana Supreme Court’s Disciplinary Commission wants the state’s highest court to find former Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi committed misconduct when he made statements about two high-profile cases he handled as prosecutor.
Court: CHINS fact-finding hearing required by due process
The Indiana Court of Appeals disagrees with the state Department of Child Services that fact-finding and dispositional hearings in a child in need of services case are interchangeable. The appellate panel has ruled a Marion County father’s due process rights were denied because he didn’t receive the opportunity for a fact-finding hearing.
Federal judge finds U.S. law preempts state ‘robo-call’ statute
The state is not able to prevent out-of-state entities from placing political calls to residents within Indiana because of an existing federal law, according to a federal judge’s ruling on Indiana’s auto-dialer statute.
Indiana asks U.S. Supreme Court to take health care law challenge
Indiana and 25 other states have filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the Supreme Court of the United States asking the nation’s highest court to rule on a lawsuit involving the Affordable Care Act.
Index shows poor voter engagement
On Sept. 14, results of the inaugural Civic Health Index were released to the public. The data shows that while Indiana is on-par with national standards in volunteerism, the state’s voter turnout and registration are among the lowest in the country.
President signs patent reform law
A long-debated patent reform law is now in place, signaling the most significant change to the system in nearly six decades.
Settlement resolves casino money cases
The six-year casino revenue litigation that sparked multiple lawsuits statewide, went to Indiana’s appellate courts multiple times, and led to legislative initiatives is coming to a close.
2 cities face gun-compliance lawsuits
The plaintiffs’ attorney says the complaints are inspired by willful disregard of state law.
Attorney General agrees to return Durham campaign funds
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has agreed to return $11,000 in campaign contributions from indicted financier Tim Durham.