US Supreme Court takes up cases about LGBT employment rights
The US Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in two of the term’s most closely watched cases over whether federal civil rights law protects LGBT people from job discrimination.
Oral arguments
Articles
Justices to review 181-year sentence imposed on Gary teen
The Indiana Supreme Court granted petitions to transfer in two cases last week, agreeing to hear a case concerning the sentence imposed on a 16-year-old murder defendant and a matter regarding a motorcycle crash involving a state trooper.
Title VII questions at U.S. Supreme Court echo Indiana case
The issue that arose in Indiana from the employment discrimination case against Ivy Tech will go before the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday as the nine justices will be asked whether Title VII protections extend to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Justices consider PCR for Gary man convicted in slaying
He was convicted in 2013 of brutally killing his wife and two stepchildren. His death sentence has already been upheld on direct appeal, but Kevin Isom is again asking the Indiana Supreme Court to give him another chance at a sentence less than death.
State appeals $8.5M award to charter schools over unpaid tuition
A dispute between a group of Indiana charter schools and the state concerning unpaid tuition money will be heard next week by the Indiana Court of Appeals.
COA hears free speech Facebook post case involving police threats
Arguments concerning a mother’s free speech rights on Facebook after she was convicted for harassing a police officer opened discussion about the uncharted waters of social media in court before an Indiana appeals court Wednesday.
COA will hear free speech appeal in Facebook harassment case
An angry mother who made threatening posts on social media toward a police officer after the death of her son is now appealing her harassment conviction, arguing her free speech rights were violated.
Civil forfeiture case back before Indiana justices on SCOTUS remand
For the third time in three years, Marion resident Tyson Timbs took his case before a Supreme Court. The man whose name became noted civil forfeiture caselaw said after arguments Friday, “I feel like I stand for something now.”
Appellate panel considers med-mal claim in wrongful death suit
An appellate panel considered Wednesday whether a healthcare facility employee’s act of kicking a resident, resulting in his death, could be shielded from liability under the Indiana Medical Malpractice Act.
COA considers case of $77K seized during a traffic stop
The Indiana Court of Appeals grappled with a case Tuesday dealing with a cash seizure and turnover after a traffic stop, getting stuck on whether the state’s arguments of standing were presented on appeal for the first time.
Supreme Court again hears arguments in fixed-plea sentence modification cases
The Indiana Supreme Court once again granted transfer in two cases dealing with issues of modified fixed-plea sentences, hearing back-to-back oral arguments last week. The arguments come after appellate panels reached differing conclusions.
5th Amendment smartphone privacy case goes before Supreme Court
It began in July 2017, when Katelin Seo was arrested on stalking-related charges and ordered to unlock her cellphone as part of the criminal investigation. Seo refused, invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, and a flurry of constitutional and technology-related questions ensued.
COA to hear denied public records request in case of woman’s death
The Indiana Court of Appeals will travel to Evansville on Monday to hear arguments in a case involving the denial of a man’s request for access to public records.
Venue transfer arguments face justices’ scrutiny
In back-to-back oral arguments, the Indiana Supreme Court considered whether to grant transfer in two medical malpractice cases seemingly in conflict with each other. The debate: whether Indiana Code § 23-0.5-4-12 is a validly enacted statute or a nullity under the Supreme Court’s interpretation of Trial Rule 75(A)(4) regarding venue.
Rent-to-buy contract argued before Indiana Supreme Court
A dispute that could have a far-reaching impact on the sizable rent-to-own housing market in the Hoosier state was presented to the Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday morning with attorneys arguing over the nature of the rent-to-own contract.
Man seeks return of 51 guns taken under ‘red flag law’
An Indianapolis man is again petitioning for the return of his 51 confiscated firearms after a judge previously determined him dangerous due to his bizarre behavior near a Bloomington bar. But an Indiana Court of Appeals panel Tuesday seemed to struggle with the argument that he was still dangerous six years later.
Cameras in court: 7th Circuit ushers in oral arguments on video
The 7th Circuit did something historic recently — an Indiana case involving Purdue University marked the first time the appellate court turned on the cameras and recorded video of an oral argument.
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.
Justices hear murder, jurisdiction arguments
Indiana Supreme Court Justices heard oral argument in two cases Thursday, beginning with a man who argued there was insufficient evidence to sustain his triple-murder conviction and that certain evidence was improperly admitted.
Justices question traumatic brain injury claims in triple murder
Counsel for a man sentenced to death for two separate murders and 65 years in prison for a third argued his representation was ineffective in the first two cases when prior counsel failed to adequately investigate and present evidence of a traumatic brain injury the man had sustained.