Lake County bench brawl
Mediation is ordered as the fight over Bonaventura vacancy goes public and exposes strife.
Lake County
Articles
Lake County murder conviction affirmed
A Lake Superior trial court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to give an accused murderer’s proposed jury instruction regarding the presumption of innocence, the Indiana Court of Appeals held.
Disciplinary commission seeks suspension of former clerk’s law license
More than a month after former Lake County clerk Thomas R. Philpot was sentenced to serve 18 months for theft and mail fraud convictions, the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission has requested his law license be suspended by the Supreme Court.
Sullivan to mediate Lake Superior judge dispute
Former Justice Frank Sullivan will mediate a dispute over a Lake Superior Court judgeship vacancy, the Indiana Supreme Court ordered Monday.
Judges reduce sentence due to ineffective trial counsel
The Indiana Court of Appeals Wednesday ordered a Lake Superior court to resentence a man to 23 years for his convictions stemming from a drunken-driving accident that killed another man. Joseph Scott’s trial attorney was ineffective because he failed to inform Scott of the correct maximum sentence he could face.
Lake County judge pro tem appointed to fill Bonaventura vacancy
Senior Judge Thomas W. Webber Sr. was appointed a judge pro tem late Friday as the Indiana Supreme Court intervened further in a controversy over who will be the next judge of the Lake Superior Court Juvenile Division.
Supreme Court blocks Lake Superior judge’s transfer bid
The Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday afternoon issued an emergency order preventing a Lake County judge from taking over the vacancy created when a fellow judge was tapped to lead the Department of Child Services.
Cedar Lake allowed to dissolve Parks Department, board
A Lake Superior judge erred when she used Dillon’s Rule to determine the scope of the town of Cedar Lake’s legal authority to dissolve its park board and Parks Department, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday. The proper legal inquiry is based on the state’s Home Rule Act.
Lake County magistrates ask Supreme Court to block judge’s move
Magistrates in Lake County have asked the Indiana Supreme Court to block a judge they say is circumventing state law in a bid to succeed a juvenile court judge selected to lead the Department of Child Services.
COA affirms Pennsylvania proper forum for complaint
The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday that a producer of limestone and other products must file its complaint for indemnification in Pennsylvania based on its contract with a trucking company, and not Lake County, Ind.
Lake County man warned against disparaging bench
A Lake County man with a history of filing unsupported allegations and derogatory comments in pleadings was rebuffed on his latest appearance before the Indiana Court of Appeals, which warned him against disparaging the bench.
COA: Court properly denied instruction on innocence
A Lake Superior Court did not abuse its discretion in denying a jury instruction on the presumption of innocence submitted by a man on trial for murder and neglect of a dependent, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.
Former Lake County clerk Philpot sentenced
A former Lake County clerk convicted of felony theft and mail fraud in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana will serve an 18-month sentence and pay a fine of $10,000.
Governor appoints Bonaventura as DCS head
Gov. Mike Pence named Lake Superior Juvenile Senior Judge Mary Beth Bonaventura as director of the Department of Child Services Wednesday.
Lake County leadership makes strides
Michael Jasaitis gives his family effusive praise for instilling the values that propelled him to the presidency of the Lake County Bar Association. But competitive collegiate Nintendo also might have helped.
Lake Superior judge to be honored for service at MLK event
Gov. Mike Pence will recognize four people for their service and commitment to the community, including Lake Superior Judge Calvin D. Hawkins, at an event honoring the life and works of Martin Luther King Jr. Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at the Indiana Statehouse.
Builder allowed to foreclose on lien
The Indiana Court of Appeals found a Lake Superior judge erred in denying a construction company’s request to foreclose on a mechanic’s lien after the client withheld a final payment, claiming faulty work.
Lake County judge: RTW suit may proceed
A challenge to Indiana’s right-to-work law will proceed after a Lake County judge this week rejected the state’s request to dismiss a lawsuit filed by United Steelworkers.
Judges reaffirm 2 Weinberger patients’ psychological evaluations
In reaffirming a Lake Superior Court decision that granted former doctor Mark Weinberger’s motion that two men suing him undergo psychological examinations, the Indiana Court of Appeals clarified that there is no requirement that a trial court must compel an involuntary psychiatric evaluation when faced with similar facts and circumstances as in the instant cases.
Appeals court upholds judgment for mortgage company
A Lake County trial court’s grant of summary judgment for the lender in a foreclosure case was affirmed Tuesday by the Indiana Court of Appeals.