Lawyer elected U.S. Libertarian Party officer
Mark Rutherford wants America’s third-largest political party to make inroads by showing competence at the grassroots level of government.
Government
Articles
No issue with all legislative logrolling
The Indiana Supreme Court offered some clues recently about why it’s ignored repeated attempts to address the issue
of legislative logrolling, where multiple unrelated changes are stuffed into one massive bill that becomes law.
Justices consider juvenile placements
The Indiana Supreme Court is considering a case where a St. Joseph County juvenile judge has declared unconstitutional three
statutes involving child placements, a controversial issue that’s pitted many within the state judiciary against the
Indiana Department of Child Services for the past two years.
State changes victim alerts
The Indiana Department of Correction recently changed how it will notify those who register to find out where someone is in
the system, whether it’s a transfer from one jail to another, a change in status, or a legal hearing.
Prosecutor candidate drops out of race
The Democratic candidate for Gibson County Prosecutor has withdrawn from the race following his indictment on four charges,
including possession of child pornography.
Judicial pay case gets ABA support
The American Bar Association wants the Supreme Court of the United States to take a case that asks whether congressional denial
of cost-of-living adjustments for federal judges compromises judicial independence and violates the Constitution.
Could Indiana adopt a law like Arizona’s?
Immigration attorneys and victims advocates are reading up on the Arizona illegal immigrant law and bracing themselves for
what a similar bill in Indiana could mean for their clients.
Supreme Court upholds voter ID law
The Indiana legislature can require people to show photo identification at the polls in order to vote, the Indiana Supreme
Court ruled today.
Partnership targets Indiana’s corrections system
To address Indiana’s growing prison population and increasing related costs, the state is partnering with The Pew Center
on the States and the Council of State Governments Justice Center for the first comprehensive review of the state’s
criminal code and sentencing policies since 1976.
Idea for green tech patents gets mixed reviews
A federal plan to boost green technology innovation by dramatically cutting the patent processing time is drawing mixed reaction from intellectual property attorneys in Indiana as they wonder whether the pilot program will help or hurt their clients.
Robo-calls at issue in Indiana courts
A line of litigation has been playing out in state and federal courts involving what is and isn’t allowed under the Automatic
Dialing Machines Statute.
Report: Laws alone won’t stop cell phone use while driving
A House bill looking to ban texting while driving in Indiana on its own may not be very effective in preventing drivers from
using their cell phones in the car, according to a policy brief from an Indiana University research center.
Judge Magnus-Stinson takes oath
The newest judge for the Southern District of Indiana was sworn in Monday to officially become a U.S. District Judge.
County official wants review of new ethics leader
A Dearborn County commissioner alleges the county’s former attorney has wrongly accused two officials of violating federal law and has asked the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission to launch an investigation of its soon-to-be leader who starts in that office June 21.
Court excited about magistrate’s elevation
Within a week, the state's third federal female judge could be ready to handle her constitutionally created duties in
the Southern District of Indiana.
Criminal tax evasion offers legal option in targeting dog, puppy mills
A July 2009 law put more strength behind local prosecutors and state regulators who can now more diligently pursue
illegal animal activity of puppy mills who don’t pay taxes.
State slow to achieve juvenile justice reforms
Local successes exist; systematic changes lag.
Reforms urged to prevent mistakes
Indiana explores what revisions to make to its criminal justice system.
Vote set on federal magistrate’s nomination
The U.S. Senate plans to vote Monday on an Indianapolis federal magistrate’s nomination for a constitutionally created
judgeship in the Southern District of Indiana.