Sheriff: Federal oversight could end soon at Indiana jail
A sheriff in northwest Indiana says a county jail could be released from oversight by the U.S. Department of Justice later this year.
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Capstone of criminal code reform put in place during 2015 session
The bill establishing the funding and the mechanism to distribute the dollars needed for Indiana’s new criminal code reform had a bumpy ride through the Statehouse. But in the final hours of the 2015 legislative session, lawmakers approved language that ensured the money would be funneled through local programs and projects designed to reduce recidivism and ease overcrowding in Indiana’s prisons.
City will push criminal justice center proposal at next council meeting
The proposed Indianapolis criminal justice center plan was not placed on the agenda of Monday’s City-County Council meeting, but Mayor Greg Ballard will seek to gather votes to pass the divisive 35-year private-public partnership next month. Ballard’s statement drew a rebuke from council chairwoman Maggie A. Lewis.
Marion County justice center debate proves divisive
Nearly a year-and-a-half after Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, Marion County Sheriff John Layton and other community leaders laid out a vision for an Indianapolis criminal justice center, its future is clouded as late opposition resulted in a major setback to the plan.
Hope town marshal to spend 2 weeks in jail
A southern Indiana town marshal will spend two weeks in jail after a jury in Columbus convicted him of felony misconduct and misdemeanor false informing.
New Albany council to weigh in on religious objections law
The revision of Indiana's religious objections law isn't stopping a southern Indiana city from considering a measure condemning the statute.
Northern Indiana county council rejects abortion ordinance
A county council in northern Indiana voted down an ordinance that would have added new local requirements for doctors who perform abortions.
Lawsuit over Covanta recycling center plan set for hearing
A lawsuit prompted by Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s controversial recycling-plant deal is set for hearing March 10.
Indy Land Bank trial could turn on government wiretaps
Reginald T. Walton is guilty of "very poor judgment" and "ethics violations," and also "did a pretty good job concealing" his involvement in private real estate partnerships during his tenure leading the Indy Land Bank, but he's not guilty of any crime, his attorney argued in federal court Wednesday.
Cumberland ups ante in fight to save historic church
Cumberland officials are stepping up their efforts to stop a supermarket and convenience store chain from demolishing a historic church by hiring one of Indianapolis’ top real estate attorneys to argue their appeal.
COA affirms attorney fees in frivolous suit challenging Logansport P3 deal
A woman’s lawsuit that claimed the city of Logansport had to pass an ordinance formally adopting the Public-Private Agreements Act before entering into a P3 deal was frivolous and in bad faith, thus justifying the award of attorney fees to the city, the Court of Appeals affirmed.
Ex-Chandler commission member’s lawsuit continues after COA ruling
The member of a town’s advisory plan commission who was appointed to a four-year term, then unanimously recalled, will be allowed to go forward with his lawsuit stemming from his removal, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled.
South Bend council urged to stop seeking police recordings
Two of the four South Bend police officers whose telephone recordings are at the center of a police wiretapping case want city council members to end their pursuit of those recordings.
Attorney general sues county auditor accused of theft
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller is suing former Owen County Auditor Angie M. Lawson to recover more than $380,000 in embezzled taxpayer funds. Lawson also faces criminal charges stemming from the same theft of public funds.
Questions over Greensburg police evidence could affect cases
A southeastern Indiana prosecutor says discrepancies uncovered during a State Police investigation of the Greensburg Police Department's evidence room could endanger 16 criminal cases.
Commissioner eyes vacant school as new Delaware County jail
A central Indiana county that has faced lawsuits and criticism for how it houses its inmates is being asked to consider building a new jail in a vacant school building.
Failure to file board record dooms claim for judicial review
A company that did not file the board record or request an extension of time to file the record within 30 days as required by the applicable judicial review statute should not have been allowed to proceed with its request for judicial review, the Indiana Court of Appeals held. The judges reversed the denial of the town of Pittsboro’s request to dismiss Ark Park LLC’s claims.
MacArthur Foundation pledges $75M toward fixing US jails
To reduce the number of people locked up in local jails around the U.S., the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced it plans to give $75 million to local jail officials working on ways to remove nonviolent offenders, people too poor to afford bail and the mentally ill from behind bars.
Fremont Town Court judge admonished for ex parte communication
A Steuben County town court judge who was admonished in 2012 for improper ex parte communications for assuming the role of prosecutor in a traffic infraction in her court has been admonished again for a similar violation.
Marion County justice complex decision could come at last minute
The Indianapolis City-County Council could push the closing of a $1.6 billion deal for a new criminal justice complex to the last minute.