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Justices: Attorneys must consult with clients

January 1, 2009

The Indiana Supreme Court has suspended for three months a longtime attorney who prepared wills for clients without ever personally consulting with them.Issuing an order In the Matter of Paul J. Watts, No. 60S00-0809-DI-510, the justices ruled 4-1 that Spencer-based attorney Paul J. Watts, who’s been practicing since 1974, should be suspended for 120 days starting Jan. 29, 2010. The order was posted online today and is dated Dec. 22.The case stems from a previous disciplinary action involving Bloomington attorney David…

COA affirms ruling in ‘unusual’ termination case

January 1, 2009

In an unusual case on appeal in which a mother's parental rights were terminated to only one of her five children during a termination hearing, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the decision due to the circumstances of the case.

Commission on Courts ponders money issues

January 1, 2009

Money matters took up the most time for an interim legislative committee this morning, as members considered issues delving into the balance between fiscal responsibility and judicial efficiency.

Judges uphold molestation convictions

January 1, 2009

The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed a man's convictions of child molesting because it agreed the victim's recantation of the allegations weren't worthy of credit.

AG uses new law to freeze employee’s assets

January 1, 2009

The Indiana Attorney General is using a new public-accountability law to freeze the assets of the Brownstown clerk-treasurer accused of overpaying herself more than $360,000 in taxpayer money.

SCOTUS asked to take Indiana wine case

January 1, 2009

The Supreme Court of the United States is being asked to consider the constitutionality of Indiana's wine shipping law, which requires in-person contact before any direct delivery is allowed.

AG discusses settlement of mortgage lender suit

January 1, 2009

A civil deceptive practices suit against the former Countrywide Home Loans has ended with a $2.83 million settlement, as well as other components designed to address the state and country's mortgage foreclosure crisis.

3 firms noted as ‘best’ for women

January 1, 2009

Three law firms with Indiana offices have made the 2009 list of Best Law Firms for Women.

Former Indiana Supreme Court chief justice dies

January 1, 2009

A Former Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice who was known for his colloquialisms and quick wit died Tuesday morning at his home.

Court says why it removed special prosecutor

January 1, 2009

The Indiana Supreme Court released an original action Nov. 13 explaining why it ordered an appointed special prosecutor in Delaware County removed from a case.

Supreme Court grants 3 transfers

January 1, 2009

The Indiana Supreme Court granted three transfers Thursday to cases involving what manner an appellate court could reverse a revocation of probation, how to calculate guardian ad litem fees, and whether there is a rebuttable presumption that children ages 7 through 14 can't be found contributorily negligent.

COA: Police didn’t need to search car after stop

January 1, 2009

The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a man's unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon conviction, ruling the warrantless search of the car the man was driving violated his federal and state constitutional rights.

COA: Business is a nuisance to homeowners

January 1, 2009

Despite modifications to a mycelium-drying business located adjacent to a farmhouse, the business is still a nuisance that deprives the homeowners from the free use and enjoyment of their property, ruled the Indiana Court of Appeals.

Mortgage CLE numbers announced Monday

January 1, 2009

Representatives from the Indiana Supreme Court will be in Evansville Monday to release the number of judges, attorneys, and mediators who were trained this summer and fall to represent borrowers and handle settlement conferences.

SCOTUS denies Indiana wine case

January 1, 2009

The Supreme Court of the United States won't consider whether Indiana's wine shipping law is constitutional by requiring in-person contact before any direct delivery is allowed.

Law school symposium to discuss torture

January 1, 2009

The Valparaiso University School of Law, as part of its annual symposium lecture series, is offering "Torture: Justifiable?" which focuses on whether and under what circumstances torture may be justifiable.

Testimony based on medical journals allowed

January 1, 2009

A physician testifying at a medical malpractice case should have been allowed to offer testimony based on her reading of medical journals, and a Marion County judge erred when he excluded part of her statements, the Indiana Court of Appeals decided.

Red Spot could face $26 million in cleanup costs

January 1, 2009

A southern Indiana company could be on the hook for $26 million in contaminated site cleanup costs, a consequence of a federal judge's default ruling in June that found the business and its former attorneys had purposely withheld evidence and misled the court.

Death penalty, election arguments Thursday

January 1, 2009

The Indiana Supreme Court will hear arguments Thursday in a death penalty case, a dispute whether the elected mayor of Terre Haute was eligible to run for office, and whether an order for a mother's voluntary termination of parental rights should have been set aside.

COA: No preliminary injunction against casinos

January 1, 2009

A panel of Indiana Court of Appeals judges agreed a city isn't entitled to a preliminary injunction to order riverboat casinos to make payments to the city, but the judges disagreed as to why the city didn't meet its burden to prove an injunction was necessary.

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