Lawyer’s ‘series of unfortunate events’ no help in dismissal appeal
A water-damage negligence suit that lacked docketed activity for about two years was rightly dismissed for failure to prosecute, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.
Justices/Judges
Articles
Lake Superior Judge Tavitas named to COA, succeeding Barnes
Lake Superior Judge Elizabeth Tavitas was on the bench on July 18 when her phone rang with a message that would change her career. It was a call from Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, informing her that she had been selected as Indiana’s next Court of Appeals judge.
Federal judge admonishes attorney after jailhouse ‘ruckus’
Plaintiffs’ counsel who took selfies with inmates and acknowledged causing a “bit of a ruckus” during a jail inspection got handed a protective order as well as a sharp rebuke from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
COA affirms $4.8 million prejudgment interest award after $32 million verdict
The guardianship of a woman that previously received a $32.5 million jury verdict will also receive $4.8 million in prejudgment interest after the Indiana Court of Appeals found no error in the grant of the prejudgment interest award.
Equal distribution method, lack of substantial evidence leads to remand of benefits case
A lack of substantial evidence led the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to remand a social security case filed by a woman who was denied benefits despite being severely impaired by a brain tumor.
Slaughter replaces David as Coalition for Court Access chair
Indiana Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Slaughter has taken over as chair of the Coalition for Court Access, while three additional members have been appointed to serve under him. He will take over for Justice Steven David, who had chaired the coalition since its 2016 inception.
Retention website created ahead of Slaughter, Altice November retention vote
Indiana’s state courts have established a website with information about two Indiana appellate judges facing retention on the November ballot. Voters will vote yes or no on retaining Indiana Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey G. Slaughter and Indianapolis Court of Appeals Second District Judge Robert R. Altice, Jr. in the November 2018 general election.
Northern District flags at half-staff for late Judge Lozano
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana announced Friday that federal courthouses in Fort Wayne, Hammond, Lafayette and South Bend would lower flags to half-staff through Monday in honor of the late Senior Judge Rudy Lozano, who died Wednesday at 76 years old.
Judge accused of bringing gun into Chicago courthouse
A judge is charged with carrying a concealed weapon in a prohibited area after he was caught on video dropping a gun in a Chicago courthouse.
COA: Ex’s contempt order was valid but violated federal law
A trial court’s contempt order against a man who named his current wife beneficiary of his military survivor benefits was valid, even though the court’s order that the ex-husband redesignate his ex-wife violated federal law, the Indiana Court of Appeals found Tuesday.
Killer’s murder, arson convictions affirmed on appeal
A Vigo County man convicted of killing a woman and then setting fires in an attempt to cover up the evidence lost his bid to have some of his convictions overturned Tuesday.
Appeals panel affirms denial of drug suppression after vehicle search
A man arrested after police ordered him to exit his parked car when officers smelled burned marijuana could not convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that the evidence of drug possession should be suppressed at his criminal trial.
Porter, Madison, COA judges certified as senior judges
The Indiana Supreme Court has certified three new senior judges to serve in Indiana’s courts. Chief Justice Loretta Rush, acting as the chair of the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission, approved Julia M. Jent, Stephen D. Clase and Michael P. Barnes as senior judges in three Thursday orders. Jent is the former judge of the Porter […]
Grandmother can’t bring child wrongful death suit, COA rules
A woman who claimed to be her grandson’s de facto custodian failed to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that she had standing to bring a suit on the child’s behalf after he and his mother perished in an apartment fire.
Man’s contempt order for bail violation reversed on appeal
A northern Indiana trial court’s contempt order against a man who violated a condition of bail was an abuse of discretion, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday, reversing the order.
Insurer loses appeal in home-health worker crash case
An insurance dispute over who should pay for a bicyclist’s injuries sustained after he was struck by a vehicle driven by a home health aide will continue after an appeals court ruling that left the question open for now.
Justices to consider absentee juvenile adjudication that split COA
The Indiana Supreme Court will hear an appeal of a juvenile case in which a missing delinquent teen received another delinquency adjudication and was found to be in violation of probation after a court hearing where he was not present.
Justices to hear appeal of daughter disinherited from estate
The Indiana Supreme Court will hear an appeal from a Spencer County woman who claims she was disinherited by her stepmother from her father’s estate, from which her stepmom’s son later derived more than $3 million in mineral rights revenue from West Virginia properties he inherited.
40 to interview for Marion County court vacancies
All 40 applicants who submitted their names for consideration to fill three upcoming vacancies on the Marion County bench will interview with the Marion County Judicial Selection Committee next month.
Interviews to fill upcoming COA vacancy begin
Five Indiana Court of Appeals hopefuls sat for interviews Monday morning, beginning the process of filling the northern Indiana vacancy on the court that will be left when Judge Michael Barnes retires on June 1.