Chief justice says state courts feel burden of drug crisis
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush said the scourge of drug abuse is being seen statewide, but problem-solving courts are helping communities deal with the crisis.
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Obama nominates Selby, Ong for federal judgeships
Winfield Ong, chief of the criminal division in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, was nominated for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Myra Selby, former Indiana Supreme Court justice, was nominated for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Indiana courts push ahead with shift to e-filing system
The Indiana Supreme Court and the state Court of Appeals began offering e-filing in November, and the Indiana Tax Court, will follow in January. The goal is for trial courts in all 92 counties to offer e-filing by the end of 2018.
Appeals court upholds Indiana’s cold beer law
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a state law that prohibits convenience stores, gas stations and other retailers from selling beer cold in the state.
Hamilton County blazes trail with court e-filing system
This summer, Hamilton was the first Indiana county to begin electronic filing of court cases. All counties are preparing for the transition, which will cost the state $5 million annually.
UPDATE: Expert testifies Fogle frequented prostitutes
A psychiatrist said Thursday during the sentencing hearing for Jared Fogle that the former Subway pitchman suffers from hypersexuality, pedophilia, and alcohol abuse and dependency.
UPDATE: Prosecutors to seek 12-1/2-year sentence for Fogle
Federal prosecutors have filed court documents saying they will seek the maximum agreed-upon sentence for former Subway pitchman Jared Fogle, who has agreed to plead guilty to child pornography and sex-crime charges. Fogle’s attorneys are seeking five years.
Supreme Court upholds former Colt’s ‘jock tax’ victory
The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from the city of Cleveland over its formula for taxing visiting athletes. The decision upholds a court victory by retired Colt Jeff Saturday and ex-Bear Hunter Hillenmeyer.
City still on hook for $11.2M on abandoned justice project
Taxpayers still owe $11.2 million to consultants and contractors involved with an abandoned plan to build a new criminal justice center for Marion County.
Obama calls for second chances, lighter sentences
A bipartisan movement to cut prison sentences for nonviolent drug crimes and make it easier for ex-offenders to find employment could get caught up it presidential politics.
Grand jury investigating Louisville basketball sex scandal
The book, “Breaking Cardinal Rules: Basketball and the Escort Queen,” has spurred a grand jury investigation into allegations that strippers and prostitutes were used to entertain University of Louisville basketball players and recruits.
Zimmer patent lawsuit heads to U.S. Supreme Court
A subsidiary of Zimmer Biomet Inc. in Warsaw will argue that it should not have to pay about $248 million in a patent infringement case.
More than 1.3M cases filed in Indiana courts in 2014
The Indiana Judicial Service Report said the number of new cases was down 10 percent from a year earlier.
Representing self, Conour files motion seeking release
Convicted fraudster and ex-attorney William Conour has asked a judge to free him from prison less than two years into his 10-year sentence for defrauding dozens of clients of nearly $7 million.
Indiana Supreme Court upholds state’s synthetic drug law
The court said the law banning K2, Spice and other chemical compounds meant to cause intoxication are not too vague. The law’s author, Sen. Jim Merritt, said the court ruling should help “keep our children safe and stop the spread of these harmful drugs.”
Cleveland appeals ‘jock tax’ ruling to U.S. Supreme Court
The case has widespread implications for pro athletes and cities with sports franchises that tax visiting players’ incomes. It’s rooted in part in a challenge brought by former Indianapolis Colt Jeff Saturday.
Whitestown, Zionsville pay $500K-plus in legal fees
The contentious case, which involves whether Zionsville has the authority to reorganize with Perry Township, has been through two courts and now is pending before the Indiana Supreme Court.
Beer distributor Monarch loses legal battle to also sell liquor
On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker ruled against Indianapolis-based Monarch Beverage Co., which claimed in a lawsuit that Indiana’s restrictive alcohol distribution laws violate the U.S. Constitution.
‘Jock tax’ ruling delayed during appeal to U.S. Supreme Court
The Ohio Supreme Court has delayed its decision that struck down the way Cleveland taxes visiting professional athletes while the city appeals. At issue are challenges by retired Colts center Jeff Saturday and former Bears linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer.
Court blocks use of pesticide made by Dow Agro
A federal appeals court has blocked the use of a pesticide made by Indianapolis-based Dow AgroSciences over concerns about its effect on honey bees, which have mysteriously disappeared across the country in recent years.