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.
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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.
Court rules Marion County judicial elections unconstitutional
The federal ruling throws out a 40-year-old system that ensured an even split of Democratic and Republican judges and facilitated a pay-to-play party slating system.
Leader of Fogle’s foundation faces at least 15 years in prison
The former director of an Indianapolis-based foundation created by ex-Subway pitchman Jared Fogle will spend from 15 years to 35 years behind bars for child sex crimes, according to a plea agreement reached Tuesday with federal prosecutors.
Cold beer getting warm as court weighs state’s alcohol laws
Judges heard arguments in January in a lawsuit challenging the state’s prohibition against convenience stores selling cold beer. Waiting seven months for a decision is not unusual.
Appeals court: Whitestown can annex 620 acres of Perry Township
The hotly disputed annexation can go ahead, unless residents want to take the case to the Indiana Supreme Court. The acreage is a small portion of the township land that Zionsville is in the process of taking over.
Indiana to pay $124K to settle sign language suit
A deaf man filed the lawsuits after being denied a sign-language interpreter so he could follow a court hearing in which his mother was a party.
Altice selected to succeed Friedlander on Court of Appeals
Marion Superior Judge Robert R. Altice Jr. is a 14-year veteran presiding in the Indianapolis courts with experience on the civil and criminal bench.
Durham fails to convince judge to reduce 50-year sentence
Convicted Ponzi scheme leader Tim Durham appeared in federal court in Indianapolis for a resentencing hearing Friday afternoon following the September dismissal of two fraud counts by the U.S. Court of Appeals.
Indiana groups hail court’s gay-marriage decision
Freedom Indiana campaign manager Katie Blair says lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents now need civil rights protections so they can’t be fired or denied services due to their sexual orientation.
Gay marriage legalized nationwide by U.S. Supreme Court
Same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry nationwide, the U.S. Supreme Court said Friday in a historic 5-4 ruling.