Lawyer who sexted client draws 30-day suspension
An Indianapolis attorney will serve a 30-day suspension for sending sexually explicit text messages to a client, the Indiana Supreme Court ordered.
Indiana Supreme Court
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Evansville lawyer on probation after OWI plea
A longtime Evansville lawyer is on probation following his guilty plea several months ago to a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Angola lawyer reprimanded for not telling opposing counsel about deposition
An Angola lawyer who failed to inform a litigant’s lawyers that the litigant was asked to sit for a deposition has been publicly reprimanded by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Supreme Court certifies 3 senior judges
Three northern Indiana trial court judges have been approved for senior judge certification.
Holcomb signs bill changing Lake, St. Joe JNCs
The structure of judicial selection in Lake and St. Joseph counties will soon change now that Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has signed controversial legislation changing the composition of the judicial selection panels in the northern Indiana counties.
Lawyers question Rokita’s actions in lawsuit filed by governor
Attorney General Todd Rokita’s move to insert himself into the dispute between Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana General Assembly over executive power is being challenged by members of the legal profession who see the state’s top lawyer as violating his oath and overstepping his authority.
Justices to hear arguments in tax jurisdiction case but deny another argument to IBM litigation
The Indiana Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case involving the dismissal of assessment challenges filed by multiple homeowners associations. However, the court has declined to hear arguments again in a dispute between the state and IBM Corp. over a broken contract.
In third appeal of burglary case, COA rules released defendant can’t be resentenced
Taking his case to the Indiana Court of Appeals for a third time, a man who served his sentence for burglary convictions and was released will not return to prison after the appellate court determined the trial court lacked authority to order the man’s resentencing.
Indiana Court decisions – April 8-21, 2021
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
Former magistrate banned from the bench now suspended for ignoring show-cause order
The former Hamilton County magistrate who is banned from the bench following his conviction related to a drug sting is now suspended from practicing law after he failed to respond to a show cause order alleging probation violations.
Justices toss suppression of drug evidence in home-detention search
A defendant sentenced to home detention waived his rights protecting him against searches and seizures even without reasonable suspicion, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled Friday, overturning the suppression of evidence found during a home-detention search.
Justices hear arguments in ‘fraud’ case stemming from missed diagnosis
The distinction between active and constructive fraud has long been established in Indiana law. But should that distinction be abolished, or an exception carved out? That question is before the Indiana Supreme Court in a closely watched medical malpractice lawsuit.
Justices overturn ruling to pay contractor after bank acquired business
The Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday struck down lower court rulings in favor of an unpaid contractor that performed work for a South Bend business, finding that because the business’s assets are now owned by a bank rather than the prior company, the new bank-owned business is not liable for the bill.
Justices publicly reprimand Greenfield, Indianapolis lawyers
The Indiana Supreme Court has handed down public reprimands against two Indianapolis-area attorneys, including an action against a partner at a major law firm.
Fired immigration lawyer who refused to withdraw gets brief suspension, probation
An Indianapolis lawyer who tried to continue representing clients in an immigration matter after being fired for noncommunication has been temporarily suspended from the practice of law.
Justices accept resignation of suspended Decatur lawyer
A northern Indiana lawyer who two years ago was suspended and jailed for forging a judge’s signature on a phony divorce order and attempting to coopt a deputy prosecutor’s identity has resigned from the practice of law rather than face a subsequent attorney discipline complaint.
Indianapolis lawyer suspended for noncooperation
The Indiana Supreme Court has indefinitely suspended an Indianapolis lawyer who failed to comply with a disciplinary investigation against her.
JNC to interview candidates to succeed Kirsch on COA in May
All 23 lawyers and judges who applied to succeed Judge James Kirsch on the Indiana Court of Appeals will be interviewed by the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission next month.
Justices to hear in-person arguments next week
The Indiana Supreme Court will hear arguments in person next week in three cases, including a dispute over a missed hepatitis diagnosis and allegations of a breached settlement agreement.
Female judges encourage women to seek out the bench, become ‘seed planters’
Women who aspire to become judges need mentors and role models to help show the way. One longtime Indiana appellate judge shared the value of such encouragement that speaks to the experience of many female jurists: “She saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. That caused me to apply.”