Software headaches adding to bar exam worries
Two business days from the July 2020 bar exam, some Indiana applicants are reporting problems with the software and adding more anxiety that they will not even be able to log on to take the test Tuesday.
Indiana Supreme Court
Articles
Indiana bar applicants’ petition for open-book exam rejected
A late change in the way the Indiana bar exam will be administered has raised sufficient fears of some applicants about the potential for wide-spread cheating that they are asking the test to be open-book. But the Indiana Supreme Court rejected a petition from dozens of law school graduates who will take the bar exam remotely next week.
AG Hill’s accusers file state complaint, 7th Circuit appeal over alleged groping
Following two dismissals from the Indiana Southern District Court, the four women who have accused Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill of sexual misconduct are taking their claims for battery, defamation and invasion of privacy to state court.
COA affirms felony drug conviction sentence, invites justices’ guidance on modifications
A panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed a woman’s almost 10-year sentence for four felony drug convictions, but one appellate judge paused to invite further guidance from the Indiana Supreme Court on a sentencing issue he says has caused a split of opinion among his colleagues.
Indiana joins national split over Fifth Amendment technology question
A 3-2 Indiana Supreme Court decision last month ruled that Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination extends to court orders for a suspect to unlock her cellphone. Other states, however, have taken the opposite stance, setting the stage for a likely US Supreme Court case.
IndyBar: Indiana Appellate Institute Celebrates 10 Years
As we blow out the candles on the virtual “Happy 10th Birthday” cake, the Indiana Appellate Institute continues to do what it does well, especially help first-time or infrequent appellate advocates, while looking for ways to continue to innovate and improve.
IU McKinney students experience 2nd year of rural judicial clerkships
A second round of Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law students have been dispatched across the state this summer to assist rural county judges through a judicial clerkship program, despite setbacks caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
High court amends appellate rules, rescinds June order
The Indiana Supreme Court has amended several rules of appellate procedure. The order comes after the high court rescinded an order amending appellate rules issued June 26.
AG Hill pledges support to ‘conservative principles’ after convention defeat
In the aftermath of a convention defeat that will keep him from serving a second term in office, Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is vowing to “continue to support and fight for our conservative principles.” Hill, however, did not explicitly endorse Republican AG nominee Todd Rokita.
Divided justices order new trial in wrongful death suit involving unwilling juror
Indiana Supreme Court justices on Thursday split in ordering a new trial in a wrongful death case involving an unwilling juror and a denied for-cause challenge.
Indianapolis family law attorney gets stayed suspension after disorderly conduct
An Indianapolis attorney who pled guilty to disorderly conduct arising from a domestic altercation at home has received a stayed suspension from the Indiana Supreme Court, causing a divide among the justices, two of whom favored an active suspension.
Fort Wayne lawyer who neglected multiple clients agrees to 180-day suspension
An Allen County lawyer who admitted to bilking multiple clients and neglecting their cases will be suspended from the practice of law for 180 days without automatic reinstatement, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
Crown Point, Chesterton attorneys get stayed suspensions for attorney misconduct
Two Northern Indiana attorneys have received stayed suspensions stemming from their individual attorney misconduct, the Indiana Supreme Court ordered on Thursday. Both attorneys acknowledged that they mismanaged trust accounts and commingled client funds.
Indiana Court Decisions – June 18-30, 2020
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
Justices reduce meth dealing sentence in split opinion
A divided Indiana Supreme Court has sided with an appellate judge’s dissent in a drug dealing case, lowering a woman’s decades-long sentence pursuant to Appellate Rule 7(B).
About 250 lawyers face suspension over unmet dues, education requirements
More than 150 Indiana lawyers and nearly 100 out-of-state attorneys face suspension from the practice of law for unpaid dues, violations of Interest on Lawyer Trust Account rules or failure to comply with continuing legal education requirements.
Justices amend juror privacy, alternate dispute resolutions rules
The Indiana Supreme Court has issued orders amending rules of the court, some of which concern juror privacy and public access to juror questionnaires and discovery of certain insurance settlement information in mediations.
Supreme Court permits Lake County jury trial to start
A civil jury trial is underway in Lake County after the Indiana Supreme Court granted a request to hold a two-day trial starting Wednesday – the first in an Indiana trial court since the suspension of in-person court proceedings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
7th Circuit rejects convicted killer’s habeas petition over uncommunicated plea deal
A convicted killer lost his appeal in a federal habeas case in which he claimed he was entitled to relief from a 65-year prison sentence because his lawyer failed to convey a plea deal before he was convicted after a second trial.
Police-trainee’s blood-draw suppression in 2015 crash case reversed
A former police trainee accused of causing a drunken-driving crash on Interstate 465 five summers ago will go back to court with more evidence against him. The Indiana Supreme Court on Monday ruled that results of a blood draw after he refused a breath test were wrongly suppressed in Marion Superior Court.