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.
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Attorneys general warn against federal payday loan regulation
A bill in Congress that would extend federal regulation to the payday lending industry would pre-empt state laws and undermine consumer safeguards, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller warned in a letter signed by 40 attorneys general.
Man’s barking dogs did not violate noise ordinance
An Indianapolis man will be able to keep all four of his dogs after the Indiana Court of Appeals found that complaints by just one neighbor about barking didn’t support finding he violated a local noise ordinance. The trial judge had ordered he get rid of two of his dogs.
Lawsuits test gun restrictions at polling places, local regulations
Can you carry a gun to the ballot box? With a few narrow exceptions, the answer appears to be yes. A lawsuit filed last month in St. Joseph Superior Court could clarify further whether a 2011 law that voids local firearm regulations would make efforts to keep guns out of voting precincts illegal.
Judges disagree over whether car ad implied drivability
The Indiana Court of Appeals was divided on whether an Indianapolis car dealership was entitled to summary judgment on a buyer’s lawsuit that made Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act, Crime Victims Relief Act, and fraud claims.
Courts, DCS, Criminal Code Evaluation committees meet this week
The Commission on Courts holds its first meeting of the legislative interim Wednesday, and a common theme is the need for more judges.
Indiana pleased with decision to vacate EPA Transport Rule
The split decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to vacate the Environmental Protection Agency’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule because of federal law violations is “great news” for Indiana, Gov. Mitch Daniels said.
Lawmakers seek leader for ‘interesting, challenging and unique’ post
The Indiana General Assembly has begun the search for a new executive director of the Legislative Services Agency.
Tax judge declines to require attorneys represent LLCs in court
The Indiana Department of State Revenue asked the Indiana Tax Court to create a rule requiring limited liability companies be represented by attorneys in court, similar to a rule pertaining to corporations, but Judge Martha Wentworth declined to “invent such a rule where one does not currently exist.”
Inmate’s public records request denied
An inmate at the Pendleton Correctional Facility was unable to identify with reasonable particularity the records he sought from the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Indiana Court of Appeals concluded Wednesday. The case also allowed the judges for the first time to address “reasonable particularity” under the Access to Public Records Act.
DCS taking recommendations for members of child fatality review teams
The Indiana Department of Child Services has begun the process of establishing child fatality review teams across the state.
Zoeller: Parts of immigration law can’t stand
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said Tuesday a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down most of a tough Arizona law will impact a similar immigration law signed by Gov. Mitch Daniels in 2011.
Regulations are few, but food trucks do have laws and codes to meet
Take a food truck to Chicago and you may be required to attach a GPS tracking device to it. Park a food truck in Indianapolis and enjoy being able to do business in an environment of few regulations.
Struggles mount for labor
Indiana this year became the 23rd state to enact a right-to-work law in which workers cannot be compelled to pay union dues. Within months, individual workers in union shops opted out, even as court challenges linger.
Majority upholds habitual traffic violator conviction
Four justices found that Indiana Code 9-30-10-16 indicating when a person commits a Class D felony while driving with a suspended license is not unconstitutionally vague and evidence supports a man’s conviction of Class D felony operating a motor vehicle as a habitual traffic violator.
Sex offender’s home ownership doesn’t impact residency restriction
A convicted sex offender who argued that a probation condition prohibiting him from living within 1,000 feet of a school is unduly restrictive on his property interest in a home he owns lost his appeal before the Indiana Court of Appeals.
AG’s video conferences train Mexican prosecutors
About 50 prosecutors in Mexico are learning about the American legal system through video conferences this week arranged by the Indiana attorney general’s office.
State to defend Planned Parenthood ban after adverse Medicaid recommendation
The Office of the Indiana Attorney General continues to defend a 2011 state law that denies Medicaid funding for health care services to Planned Parenthood because the organization performs abortions. A federal hearing officer recommended that the Department of Health and Human Services disapprove the state Medicaid plan amendment in the law.
Indiana’s immigration law reeling
Attorneys say the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Arizona case likely dooms parts of Indiana’s law.
Court fee changes begin July 1
The cost to file a case in some courts will increase by $1 or $2 beginning July 1. The fee increases include a fee created to address deficiencies in pro bono funds.