Trump sued for blocking some of his critics on Twitter
First Amendment advocates are suing President Donald Trump, saying some of his critics have been unconstitutionally blocked from following him on Twitter.
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Appellate court affirms murder conviction in Indianapolis shooting
A man’s felony murder conviction, stemming from a shooting he was involved in when he was 17 years old, will stand after the Indiana Court of Appeals found Thursday the trial court did not err in excluding evidence or in considering testimony.
Crowdfunding for court costs
Social media and online fundraising campaigns are becoming new venues to finance litigation.
Teen accused in killing over Facebook post gets fall trial
A judge has set an October trial for a central Indiana teenager accused of fatally shooting a man over a Facebook posting.
Twitter troll takes over lawmaker’s handle, demands apology
An Indiana state lawmaker who says he won’t “give in to terrorists” is refusing an apology demand from an unknown person who took over his abandoned Twitter handle.
Marion County prosecutor partners with NextDoor app
Indianapolis law enforcement and prosecution officials are teaming up for an innovative social media partnership designed to engage residents in prosecuting crime.
JQC holds that live-Tweeting is not ‘broadcasting’
The use of instant electronic communication such as Twitter in courtrooms is not considered broadcasting under the Code of Judicial Conduct, but judges still have the discretion to reasonably regulate the use of such communication in their courtrooms, the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications has held.
Facebook post costs woman chance to pursue lawsuit
A Facebook post has cost a woman her chance at pursuing a civil lawsuit against doctors who misdiagnosed her Lyme disease as multiple sclerosis.
3 Pulse families sue social media, alleging aid for IS
Families of three patrons killed in the Orlando nightclub massacre are suing Facebook, Google and Twitter, claiming the gunman who killed their loved ones was radicalized through propaganda found through social media.
Kissel and Olimb: New law affects estate planning for digital property
The Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act took effect in Indiana on July 1, 2016. See Ind. Code § 32-39 et seq. The new law addresses the rights of a fiduciary, such as a personal representative, trustee, attorney-in-fact or guardian, to access digital property, such as online financial accounts, emails, texts, social media accounts and online document and picture storage.
City of Elkhart, Martinsville police facing lawsuits after deleting Facebook posts
After preventing local residents from commenting on their official Facebook pages, the city of Elkhart and the Martinsville Police Department are being sued for alleged violations of citizens’ First Amendment rights.
Social media create potential for ethical violations
As social media continue to evolve, legal professionals should become increasingly cautious when they log in to various sites.
Facebook and its lawyers slammed by judge in terrorism suits
A federal judge slammed Facebook Inc., saying the social media giant might not be doing enough to deter terrorists from using its platform.
Incoming ISBA president outlines plans to help legal profession adapt to changing marketplace
Mitchell Heppenheimer’s agenda for his term at the helm is focusing on ways to help Hoosier lawyers be successful in the shifting landscape. In particular, he plans to launch a campaign to educate people on why they should turn to a lawyer for legal advice and that lawyers can be hired at reasonable prices.
Tweeting reporters allowed in court?
Members of the media and judges are working together to develop standards for journalists who want to cover court proceedings to protect defendants and allow transparency.
COA calls for guidance on social media use during criminal trials
In affirming that a man was not deprived due process when the media live tweeted during his murder trial, the Indiana Court of Appeals noted that it’s time for the judicial branch to address social media use concerns.
Fitness trackers add to flood of digital evidence in courts
The law surrounding the information is still evolving, particularly in the area of privacy and Fourth Amendment rights. Civil, but more likely criminal, attorneys will be handling digital evidence more and more especially as law enforcement increasingly relies on technology to track suspects and link them to crimes.
Beech Grove settles free-speech lawsuit over Facebook use
An Indianapolis suburb has settled a lawsuit accusing it of violating free speech rights when it removed two women's critical comments on its Facebook page.
COA upholds convictions of man who targeted Burmese
An Alabama man was unable to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that he was not behind several attacks on members of the Burmese community in Indianapolis two years ago. The judges affirmed Danny Cherry’s 80-year sentence for various crimes, including attempted murder.
Judge reignites debate over researching jurors online
Mining prospective jurors' Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts is common practice for many attorneys looking to spot biases that might cost their clients a fair trial.