Articles

Justices grapple with refiling of similar CHINS case

As Indiana’s executive and legislative branches work to implement reforms in the Department of Child Services and boost funding, the judicial branch is also reviewing the department in a case that could decide whether child welfare cases are subject to res judicata.

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Voters oust trial court judge; Carmichael beats party-switching ex-jurist

Southern Indiana voters rejected one trial court judge and narrowly re-elected another who was challenged by a former colleague who changed parties to run against her. Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Darrell Maurice Auxier, a Democrat, was the lone sitting Indiana trial court judge to lose his bid for re-election, while Clark Circuit Judge Vicki Carmichael retained her bench seat in one of Indiana’s closest countywide trial court races Tuesday. 

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New judges named in Allen, Monroe counties

An Allen County magistrate judge has been selected to fill one of two upcoming vacancies in the Allen County courts, and the successor has been chosen for a longtime jurist in Monroe County.

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Monroe County Judge Ken Todd retiring after more than 40 years

As he reflects on his career before his Oct. 15 retirement, Monroe Circuit Judge Kenneth Todd says his interactions with litigants and courtroom colleagues has been the best part of his 40-year stint on the bench. “I intended to do it for one term, but I found that it was a good fit for me,” he said of his judicial career.

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Prosecutors cite ethics rules to Hill in abortion lawsuit

Three Indiana prosecutors are renewing their calls for Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill to concede on their behalf the merits of lawsuit that blocked a 2018 abortion law and told the AG's staff in an email that Hill is obligated under the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct to follow their directive as his clients. Hill, however, maintains he is authorized to defend the statute on behalf of his "ultimate client:" the people of Indiana.

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Justices decline state’s appeal in I-69 land taking case

A Monroe County property owner whose road access to former State Road 37 is being cut off by its conversion to Interstate 69 will receive a trial on damages after a majority of the Indiana Supreme Court declined to hear the state’s appeal in a condemnation case.

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AG Hill: Prosecutors have no say in defending Indiana abortion law

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is hitting back at three county prosecutors who have declined to defend the state in its most recent abortion-related lawsuit, saying the prosecutors have no authority to determine how the case proceeds. Prosecutors in Marion, Lake and Monroe counties said Wednesday the ceded the merits of a case challenging a new law that would require reporting of “abortion complications.”

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IU’s pretrial diversion program sees fewer participants

Indiana University’s pretrial diversion program had a record low number of offenders this year who tried to work off misdemeanors collected during weekend celebrations for a student bicycle race. Those who successfully complete the program can eventually have certain charges dismissed, including public intoxication.

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