Justices reprimand 2 Indianapolis attorneys
Two Indianapolis attorneys have been reprimanded by the Indiana Supreme Court after they reached agreements with the disciplinary commission in their attorney ethics cases.
Indiana Supreme Court
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Hamilton County magistrate judge sentenced in meth case faces discipline
More than 18 months after his arrest on felony charges stemming from a methamphetamine sting, a former Hamilton County magistrate judge also faces a judicial discipline case related to his conduct. Police said that conduct included biting the thumb of an officer who tried to pry a bag of meth from the jurist’s mouth.
Justices vacate ruling for insurer in fatal UIM recovery case
Indiana Supreme Court justices have vacated a ruling in favor of a deceased woman’s parents’ insurance company, concluding that her estate is entitled to summary judgment on whether she was considered an insured person under her parent’s coverage.
Disciplinary commission discloses false statement in urging ex-prosecutor’s disbarment
A judge who recommended disbarment of the former Johnson County prosecutor for domestic violence has amended her report to the Indiana Supreme Court after being notified by a disciplinary commission attorney that he provided a false statement concerning key evidence.
ISBA members vote ‘yes’ to appellate judges’ retention
Each of the seven Indiana appellate judges up for retention this year have received favorable recommendations from members of the Indiana State Bar Association. The state bar released results of its retention survey Wednesday morning.
Rush now negative for COVID-19, Supreme Court says
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush has tested negative for COVID-19, the Indiana Supreme Court said in a statement Tuesday, a little more than three weeks after she disclosed she had tested positive for the disease.
SCOTUS rejects petition to hear Indiana Right-to-Farm dispute
A protracted dispute between a concentrated animal feeding operation in Hendricks County and its neighbors ended Monday with the U.S. Supreme Court denying certiorari to the nearby homeowners who claimed the odor from the 8,000 hogs disrupted their lives and diminished their health.
Supreme Court: Text, email notifications available for courts to contact jurors
Indiana trial courts can now send text and email reminders, cancellations, and rescheduling notices to jurors, the Indiana Supreme Court announced on Friday.
Justices split, affirm trial court in defamation default judgment case
A split Indiana Supreme Court on Friday granted transfer and affirmed a trial court’s ruling in a default judgment dispute involving alleged defamation and false reporting, siding with a dissenting appellate court judge.
Indiana attorney general may face bill over discipline case
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill could face a big bill from the disciplinary case stemming from allegations that he groped a state lawmaker and three other women during a party. The disciplinary commission has asked the Indiana Supreme Court to order Hill to pay more than $50,000 in costs related to the ethics investigation that resulted in his 30-day suspension.
Hearing officer recommends dismissal of Mackey discipline case
The attorney discipline case accusing high-profile Barnes & Thornburg partner Larry Mackey of an improper relationship with the ex-wife of a former Fishers money manager client who was convicted of securities fraud should be dismissed, the hearing officer in his case has recommended.
14-year sentence affirmed for man who killed 2 in high-speed crash
A man must serve a 14-year sentence for driving his SUV through a red light at 89 mph and killing two women whose car he slammed into in a Speedway intersection, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Friday. The decision also further chipped away at 1999 caselaw partially overturned this year that had stood as double jeopardy jurisprudence.
Justices split over transfer denial in horse injury case
The Indiana Supreme Court has split over the denial of transfer in a case involving a horseback riding injury, with Justice Steven David publishing a dissent expressing concern that the “pendulum has swung too far” in sports injury cases.
Supreme Court seeking comments on proposed rule changes
The Indiana Supreme Court is seeking public comment on several proposed amendments to the Indiana Rules of Court.
Counties again requesting additional judicial officers
The Indiana General Assembly is once again being asked to add to Indiana’s court roster, with six counties presenting requests for new judicial officers. Most significantly, Hamilton County is asking the Legislature to add a new court.
Disbarment recommended for ex-Johnson County prosecutor
The former three-term elected prosecutor of Johnson County should be disbarred from the practice of law for a domestic violence assault in which the hearing officer in his attorney discipline case said he “severely beat and injured his girlfriend” then misled the public about the events surrounding the attack.
Justices deny murderer’s petition to transfer
A man convicted of murder who was denied his petition for post-conviction relief was also denied his petition to transfer his case to the Indiana Supreme Court. Justices unanimously declined to consider the White County man’s claims of ineffective assistance of counsel.
Settlement program offers alternative to eviction
As the uncertainty continues over how many struggling Hoosiers could be evicted in the coming months, the Indiana Supreme Court is trying through the new Landlord and Tenant Settlement Conference Program to prevent housing loss and all the bad ramifications that can ensue by inviting landlords and tenants to first have a conversation.
Compelled contract? Indiana Supreme Court considers arbitration agreement in nursing home lawsuit
After hearing oral argument on petition to transfer Sept. 24, the court must now decide if it will rule in a dispute filed by an elderly woman and her representative against the Carmel assisted living facility where the woman once lived and an independent contractor hired by the facility who is accused of raping her.
New strategic goals set for improving state courts
The Judicial Conference of Indiana’s strategic plan for the next decade, titled 2020 Forward, rededicates areas of achievement previously attained with past white papers while also setting new goals striving for greater accountability and access to justice.