Lake County - The Indiana Lawyer

Plaintiffs trying to overturn Lake County JNC tap brakes on court proceeding as judicial selection moves forward

December 8, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl and Katie Stancombe

A federal court has granted a request by the plaintiffs challenging the judicial selection process in Lake County to toss their previously filed motion for a preliminary injunction, which sought to stop the local nominating commission from filling the superior court vacancy created by the death of Judge Diane Boswell. Meanwhile, the Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission is preparing for interviews with 12 candidates vying to fill the Lake Superior Court vacancy.

COA reinstates landlords’ tort claims against Hammond

December 6, 2021 | Jordan Morey

A lawsuit against the city of Hammond brought by a group of corporate property landlords has been reinstated after the Court of Appeals of Indiana found the Lake Superior Court erred when it ruled their tort claims were filed in an untimely manner.

Speedy trial OK’d for Lake Co. murder suspect who fled transport van

November 29, 2021 | Associated Press

A murder suspect who escaped from a prisoner transport van last year when its driver stopped at a fast-food restaurant in northwest Indiana will stand trial in January in a Chicago man’s slaying.

Supreme Court announces pilot program allowing news broadcasts in select courts

November 24, 2021 | Katie Stancombe

The Indiana Supreme Court announced last week that members of the news media will be permitted to broadcast certain in-person proceedings in five Indiana trial courts through a new pilot project starting Dec. 1.

NW Indiana man charged in taxidermy thefts from DNR office

November 22, 2021 | Associated Press

A northwest Indiana man allegedly broke into a state office at a fish and wildlife area twice in 2018 and stole taxidermy animals, ammunition and other items, authorities said.

Broadcasting of in-person trial court proceedings permitted under new pilot program, Supreme Court announces

November 15, 2021 | IL Staff

Members of the news media will be permitted to broadcast in-person proceedings in five Indiana trial courtrooms through a new pilot project, the Indiana Supreme Court announced Monday. The pilot also allows the rebroadcasting of live-streamed proceedings.

Lake Co. opponents of judicial selection ask court to stop process to fill Boswell vacancy

November 15, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

In their lawsuit contesting judicial selection in Lake County, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott along with the city of Hammond filed on Friday a motion for preliminary injunction seeking to stop the Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission from moving forward with the process to select a replacement for the late Judge Diane Boswell, who died in October.

New crime units to tackle backlog of digital evidence

November 11, 2021 | IL Staff

Through 10 new High Tech Crime Units being established around the state, Indiana’s prosecutors say they will be getting much-needed help with the processing of digital evidence.

Eminent domain reversed for failure to give proper notice

November 10, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

The Gary Housing Authority, which tried to exercise eminent domain and take a property with an appraised value of $325,000 for $75,000, will have to cancel the demolition crew after the Court of Appeals of Indiana found the agency failed to give at least 30 days’ notice of its plans.

Judicial applications available to fill Lake Co. vacancy left by late Judge Boswell

November 9, 2021 | IL Staff

The Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission is beginning the process of selecting a new Lake Superior Court judge to fill the vacancy left by the late Judge Diane Ross Boswell.

Porter Co. judge receives public admonition for bond modifications

November 8, 2021 | IL Staff

Porter Superior Judge Christopher Buckley received a public admonition Monday for actions related to his service as a town court judge, when he modified several defendants’ bonds without giving them notice or without a motion from the prosecution.

Gary man charged in fatal shooting of trick-or-treater

November 4, 2021 | Associated Press

A man was charged with murder Wednesday in the death of a 13-year-old boy who was killed when shots were fired at a group of trick-or-treaters on Halloween in northwestern Indiana.

Lang temporarily filling judicial seat of late Judge Boswell

November 1, 2021 | IL Staff

Senior Judge Kathleen Lang has been appointed judge pro tempore in Lake Superior Court, Criminal Division 3, filling the seat vacated by the unexpected death of Judge Diane Ross Boswell on Oct. 19.

Credit time from dismissed sexual battery charges can’t be credited toward separate child molesting sentence, COA rules

October 29, 2021 | Katie Stancombe

The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed Friday that a Lake County man’s request to put his credit time from a previous charge toward his current child molesting sentence was properly denied.

Apellate court affirms forfeiture of 504 tax sale certificates purchased by ineligible buyer

October 29, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

The Indiana Court of Appeals did not buy a Lake County man’s argument that state statute allows ineligible buyers at tax sales to avoid forfeiture by paying delinquent property taxes, finding the man had time to clear his debt but never did so.

Holcomb names 2 attorneys, 1 nonattorney to Lake Co. JNC following legislative ‘reset’

October 29, 2021 | Olivia Covington

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has appointed two lawyers and one nonlawyer to the Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission, completing the selection of the JNC under controversial legislation enacted this year that changed the makeup of two judicial nominating groups.

Indiana Supreme Court told to reverse rulings against Lake County

October 21, 2021 | IL Staff

Indiana counties and probation departments are siding with Lake County in a dispute with the state over who is required to represent and indemnify two probation officers accused of sexual misconduct and retaliation. The dispute will go before the Indiana Supreme Court on petition to transfer next week.

Lake County Judge Boswell remembered as kind, caring, vibrant woman

October 20, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

Lake Superior Senior Judge Diane Boswell, described as a compassionate jurist who inspired many, died unexpectedly Tuesday. She was 72.

Gary man sues after accusing police of kneeling on him

October 20, 2021 | Associated Press

A Gary man is suing northwest Indiana police more than a year after he alleged that officers sprayed him with pepper spray and knelt on him when they encountered him near a protest over George Floyd’s death.

Guilty plea in fatal shooting outside Indiana high school

October 11, 2021 | Associated Press

A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to charges in a shooting that happened in a northwestern Indiana high school’s parking lot that killed one teenager and injured another.

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