Attorney’s kidnapper nets 60-year sentence
The man who abducted his attorney in July 2008 has been sentenced to 60 years in the Indiana Department of Correction.
Indiana Trial Courts
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Fate of courtroom cameras still unknown
The federal judge vying to become the next justice on the U.S. Supreme Court favors having cameras in court and says she might be interested in furthering their use at the nation's highest court that has resisted the idea for decades.
Judge wins in mandate action
A special judge has ruled in favor of St. Joseph Probate Judge Peter Nemeth, who'd issued a judicial mandate earlier this year directing county officials to transfer money for pay raises and improvements for the juvenile justice center.
Governor likely to soon get St. Joe judges bill
Gov. Mitch Daniels will likely receive legislation today aimed primarily at scrapping judicial merit selection in St. Joseph County and creating a new Indiana Court of Appeals panel starting 2011.
Judge awards $42 million in back pay suit
A Marion Superior judge is awarding more than $42.4 million to a class of thousands of former state employees who sued to recover back pay for unequal wages earned between 1973 and 1993.
Former Marion Superior judge dies
Former Marion Superior Judge John "Jan" D. Downer died Aug.10 at the age of 73. Judge Downer was appointed a Marion County Municipal judge in 1978 by Gov. Otis Bowen and served as judge for 22 years. He retired from the Marion Superior Court in 2000 and worked as a senior judge until 2004.
Comment sought on late fee rule change
Comments are being accepted regarding a proposed rule change that would allow Marion Superior and Circuit Courts to impose a $25 late payment fee for failing to pay costs, fines, or civil penalties.
High court hears first ‘rocket docket’ appeal
In the first appeal of a juvenile case under Indiana Appellate Rule 14.1, the "rocket docket," the Indiana Supreme Court ruled the juvenile court's determination that a child shouldn't be immediately reunited with his mother until after the school year concluded – contrary to what the Department of Child Services recommended – wasn't clearly erroneous.
Officers say wrong textbook hurt promotions
Three current Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers have filed a suit against the city because they received the wrong textbooks to study for a promotion examination.
Attorneys challenge state’s med-mal cap
Two central Indiana attorneys have filed a challenge to Indiana's Medical Malpractice Cap, arguing the cap violates the Indiana Constitution. The challenge follows a jury verdict in which a widower won $8.5 million following his wife's death.
Suspended judge returns to bench
Marion Superior Judge Grant Hawkins, who was suspended earlier this year without pay, returned to the bench today.
Longtime Madison County judge dies
A longtime Madison County judge died suddenly Wednesday. Judge David W. Hopper, 60, had served as a jurist for a total of 28 years.
Judge holds public hearings on foreclosure rule
Marion Superior Judge Cynthia Ayers is holding public hearings today and Thursday regarding the proposed local rule, 49-TR85-231, which would require mandatory mediation for mortgage foreclosure cases in Marion County.
Judge named chairman of alcohol commission
A longtime Wayne County judge has been appointed the new chairman of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission.
Judicial merit-selection override a possibility
The state's top executive has rejected the idea of scrapping merit selection in St. Joseph County, but it remains unclear whether lawmakers will attempt to override that veto during a special session.
Senate gets St. Joe judges bill, with twist
The full Indiana Senate will consider in the next week whether St. Joseph Superior judges should be elected or merit-selected and retained by voters. A Senate committee wants the full legislative body to consider that issue, but with a twist: An amendment has been attached to the controversial House Bill 1491.
Man faces federal charge in courthouse plot
The Pike County man arrested after police discovered his plan to blow up the county courthouse now faces federal charges.
Judge suspended for 60 days, no pay
The Indiana Supreme Court has suspended Marion Superior Judge Grant W. Hawkins from the bench for 60 days without pay, though two justices wanted a yearlong penalty while two others wanted a month suspension.
Former city judge dies in accident
A former city judge and current mayor of Butler, Ind. died May 17 following a motorcycle accident.
Judge: punitive-damage cap unconstitutional
A Marion County judge has refused to reduce damages in a priest sex-abuse case, saying the punitive damage caps put in place more than a decade ago are unconstitutional.