New laws for 2019
The following enrolled acts, followed in parentheses by their corresponding public law numbers, take effect July 1 unless otherwise noted below.
Justices/Judges
Articles
Census, redistricting top remaining Supreme Court cases
The Supreme Court enters its final week of decisions with two politically charged issues unresolved: whether to rein in political line-drawing for partisan gain and allow a citizenship question on the 2020 census.
Officials remain tight-lipped about judges’ shooting
Since Clark Circuit Judges Andrew Adams and Bradley Jacobs returned to their southern Indiana homes in mid-May to recuperate from being shot, few updates on their conditions and announcements regarding the prosecution of their case have been provided, leaving some in the community wondering.
Senior judge to serve as judge pro tem after Lake County retirement
A judge pro tempore has been appointed to temporarily fill the seat of Lake Superior Judge John R. Pera, who recently announced his plans to retire at the end of this month.
Senior judges may endorse political candidates, JQC says
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications determined that senior judges may endorse candidates for public office, but retiring judges may not. The commission issued its advisory opinion in response to questions posed about endorsements of candidates for public office by retiring and senior judges.
Applicants sought for Lake County judicial vacancy
Applicants are being sought for an upcoming judicial vacancy in Lake Superior Court next month as a longtime judge prepares to retire.
Goff discusses path to bench, sentencing reform efforts
Indiana Supreme Court Justice Christopher Goff won the lottery. That’s how he describes his legal career, at least. Goff spoke about his legal and judicial career during a Friday afternoon session at the Indiana State Bar Association Solo/Small Firm Conference, held over the weekend in French Lick.
COA remands case to clarify who should set sliding scale fees
The Indiana Court of Appeals has remanded a case after finding no clarification from the trial court as to whether Marion County Community Corrections was intended to evaluate a man on a sliding scale of fees for his home detention costs.
COA affirms BZA’s denial of fire department’s residential property use
A Southern Indiana volunteer fire department faced the heat after the Indiana Court of Appeals sided with a local board of zoning appeals to deny the department’s application to use a residential home as an emergency sub-station.
Application period open for Lawrence Circuit Court judgeship
Attorneys who want to be the next Lawrence Circuit Court judge have about three weeks to let Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb know. The application window for those interested as serving on the trial court bench in Bedford is open until June 28.
Hendricks Judge Freese suspended 45 days over friend’s estate theft
Hendricks Superior Judge Robert W. Freese has been suspended from judicial office without pay for 45 days after appointing a friend as a trustee of an estate case he was presiding over and failing to take action when the friend did not fulfill his duties, resulting in a “massive theft.”
Lawyer: Judges’ shooting case rife with ‘speculation and conjecture’
Nearly a month after two judges were shot on the streets of Indianapolis, after which the alleged shooter and his accomplice walked free, an attorney representing one of the arrested men in his probation violation case said the unusual nature of the prosecution and lack of information released about the case has left it “open to speculation and conjecture.”
Contamination at new Marion County justice center site raising concerns
An independent environmental assessment of the site for the new Marion County jail and courthouse has some judges questioning if the property will pose a health hazard to the people working and visiting the courts, but others are cautioning to not let fear dictate decision-making.
Tax Court remands for revaluation of shopping center
Capitalization rates determined by the Indiana Board of Tax Review for an Anderson shopping center were found to be improper by the Indiana Tax Court and were thus reversed Wednesday.
AG Barr says nationwide rulings are hampering Trump’s agenda
Attorney General William Barr is taking on another item from President Donald Trump’s agenda, railing against judges who issue rulings blocking nationwide policies.
2 judges shot in Indianapolis home from hospital
Two southern Indiana judges who were wounded in a shooting this month in Indianapolis are both home from the hospital.
Justices affirm $176K award of fees to Lake Superior Court judges
Indiana Supreme Court justices affirmed a special judge’s ruling that 14 Lake Superior Court judges are entitled to recover nearly $176,500 to pay court staff, ending a two-year dispute.
Fired Hamilton County magistrate judge pleads not guilty to meth charge
A fired suburban Indianapolis magistrate judge has pleaded not guilty to felony possession of methamphetamine.
New lawyers advised they cannot achieve success by themselves
As the newest group of Indiana attorneys raised their right hands and took their admission oaths Tuesday, they were reminded that just as they needed to achieve this success, they will continue through their careers to need a little help from their friends. The 120 individuals who passed the February 2019 Indiana Bar Exam were admitted to the Indiana Supreme Court as well as the Northern and Southern Indiana District Courts.
Bedford attorney appointed judge pro tem to fill McCord vacancy
A judge pro tempore has been appointed to replace former Lawrence Circuit Judge Andrea K. McCord following her appointment to the federal judiciary as the newest bankruptcy judge in the Indiana Southern District Court. Serving in McCord’s place as judge pro tempore will be Bedford attorney Nathan G. Nikirk.