Justices certify Bartholomew County magistrate as senior judge
The Indiana Supreme Court has certified a Bartholomew County judicial officer as a senior judge.
Indiana Supreme Court
Articles
Rape convictions affirmed but probation condition ruled unconstitutional
An appeals court Monday upheld an aggregate 24-year sentence for a man convicted of three counts of rape, but it also found a condition of probation that barred him from visiting “businesses that sell sexual devices or aids” was unconstitutionally broad.
Indiana Supreme Court divided over custody reversal
Two Indiana Supreme Court justices have dissented from their colleagues’ denial of transfer in a child custody dispute that resulted with the mother gaining sole legal custody of her kids. The dissenting justices would have granted joint legal custody to both parents instead.
Justices split 3-2 over ‘force’ element of man’s resisting conviction
Justices of the Indiana Supreme Court have split over the denial of a New Castle man’s appeal to the high court after he was found guilty of forcibly resisting law enforcement. Three of the five justices voted to deny the petition to transfer.
Problems, complaints absent from remote bar exam
After a series of software failures, increasing anxiety and a quick pivot to another format, Indiana administered the state’s first remote bar exam Tuesday without an apparent glitch.
Northern District certifies negligence question to Indiana Supreme Court
An internal split within the Indiana Northern District Court over whether store managers may be held liable in certain negligence cases has prompted a federal judge to ask the Indiana Supreme Court for guidance.
Indiana eviction, utility shutoff moratoriums end next week
Indiana residents who have struggled to pay rent or utility bills during the coronavirus pandemic have one more week before the state’s protections against evictions and utility shutoffs end, despite a recent analysis that found that more than 40% of the state’s renters are unable to pay their rent.
Justices toss man’s child molesting charges for speedy trial violation
The Indiana Supreme Court has ordered discharge of child molesting counts, finding the defendant is entitled to the discharge because the state waited too long to bring a stay of the proceedings in order to toll Indiana Criminal Rule 4(C)’s one-year limitation.
Web Exclusive: First impressions of the first COVID-era jury trial
“I knew that I was the first trial and that if I screwed up, nobody else would get to go, so I wanted these people to be comfortable,” Lake Superior Judge Bruce Parent said. Parent and others shared their perspectives on the first Indiana jury trial permitted after court proceedings were suspended due to the pandemic.
Moratorium extended as landlords, tenants encouraged to avoid evictions
As Gov. Eric Holcomb extended the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until mid-August, Indiana state courts increased their calls for residents and property owners to start trying to work out agreements that will keep families in their homes.
Disciplinary Actions 08/05/20
Read who has resigned, been placed on probation or suspended from the practice of law in Indiana during the most recent reporting period.
Supreme Court affirms dismissal of firearm enhancement after COA reversed
Indiana Supreme Court justices vacated an appellate panel’s reversal on Tuesday, affirming the trial court’s dismissal of a firearm enhancement in a case involving a man who shot his roommate.
Legal community mourns passing of long-time Floyd Co. prosecutor Henderson
Keith Henderson, who served as Floyd County prosecuting attorney for nearly 20 years, died Aug. 1 at his home surrounded by his family following a battle with Lyme disease. He was 59.
Technical difficulties, high anxiety prevail during pandemic-era bar exam
Although the testing software was supposed to allow individuals to take the July 2020 Indiana Bar Exam while remaining safely in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, the technology malfunctioned so badly that the Indiana Supreme Court will be forced to administer the test by relying on email and the applicants’ integrity.
Judge’s retirement opens St. Joseph court vacancy
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The coming retirement of a St. Joseph Superior Court judge has opened applications for her successor, the Indiana Supreme Court announced Friday. |
Task force issues recommendations for handling increase in eviction cases
In anticipation of state courts being overwhelmed with landlord-tenant cases once the pandemic moratorium on evictions is lifted, a task force assembled by the Indiana Supreme Court released recommendations Wednesday that encourage payment plans and alternatives to forcibly removing residents from their homes.
Faulty bar exam software tossed in favor of emails, open books
The Indiana Supreme Court issued an order Wednesday again revamping the July 2020 bar exam, opting to send test questions by email and allowing applicants to refer to notes and course materials during the test. The test is still scheduled to be administered remotely Tuesday under the new format.
Indianapolis attorney convicted of OWI suspended for 90 days
An Indianapolis attorney has been suspended for 90 days with automatic reinstatement following his conviction of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and several violations of the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct related to client representation.
Merrillville attorney’s discipline converted to indefinite suspension
Indiana Supreme Court justices have indefinitely suspended a Lake County lawyer who was suspended earlier this year for failing to cooperate with the disciplinary commission concerning a grievance against him.
Lawyer sentenced for theft from charity resigns from bar
An Indianapolis attorney has resigned from the bar rather than face a disciplinary proceeding a month after he was convicted of felony theft related to the misappropriation of funds from a charity that benefited Riley Children’s Hospital and a related business.