McCordsville man convicted of embezzling $91K from labor union
According to court documents, the man illegally transferred funds from the union’s bank account to his personal bank accounts on multiple occasions between 2013 and 2019.
Courts
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Pryor makes history in confirmation to 7th Circuit
The U.S. Senate confirmed Judge Doris Pryor to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in a bipartisan 60-31 vote Monday evening, making her the first woman of color from Indiana to sit on the Chicago-based appellate court.
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Judges involved in 2019 downtown White Castle give graphic court testimony
In bloody, emotional and never-before-seen or heard detail, the events of the early morning hours of May 1, 2019—when Clark County judges Andrew Adams and Bradley Jacobs were shot—are playing out in a Marion County courtroom.
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Pandemic forces delay in fraud trial of former Celadon execs
The criminal case against former Celadon executives Eric Meek and Bobby Peavler had been scheduled to begin on Feb. 22, but the judge has rescheduled the trial because local COVID-19 positivity rates are too high.
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Marion County courts, jail get ready for big move
The centerpiece of Indianapolis’ $590 million Community Justice Campus is set to open in December, five years after Mayor Joe Hogsett first unveiled his vision for it.
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Articles
Proposal seeks to change state constitution over who has right to bail
Prosecutors say Sen. Eric Koch’s Senate Joint Resolution 1 would keep dangerous people off the streets before trial, while defenders and civil rights advocates say its subjectivity could endanger the rights of those presumed innocent until convicted.
State of the Judiciary highlights role of state courts in Indiana’s economy
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush’s speech mainly focused on the work by the courts that “makes Indiana an attractive state for economic development and how it can protect public safety in Indiana.”
‘People are just angry’: Complaints against Indiana judicial officers reach 20-year high, stats show
According to the Indiana Supreme Court’s annual report, there were 609 complaints alleging judicial misconduct filed statewide during fiscal year 2021-2022. Of those complaints, 51 cases were not summarily dismissed.
Federal court leaders to pay $125M for overcharging for online records
The federal judiciary has agreed to pay hundreds of thousands of users of the nationwide online records system as part of a proposed settlement made public Tuesday in a long-running lawsuit aimed at reducing the cost to access court records.
Indy FOP vote shows almost no police confidence in county prosecutor, courts
The Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police said the confidence vote included input from police officers from every law enforcement agency in Indianapolis and Marion County.
Boone County employee alleges harassment in suit against councilor, county
The federal lawsuit filed Wednesday by the county’s director of human resources lists Boone County Councilman Aaron Williams and Boone County as co-defendants.
Judge involved in 2019 downtown shooting agrees to never hold judicial office again
Embattled Crawford Circuit Court Judge Sabrina R. Bell, who was previously disciplined for her role in a shooting in downtown Indianapolis, has resigned following her arrest for allegedly hitting her ex-husband in front of their children.
Proposed rule amendment would give judges discretion to allow cameras in court
The long-debated question of whether cameras should be allowed in the courtroom is up for conversation in a proposed rule before the Indiana Supreme Court, which is asking for public feedback on the matter.
Indiana’s abortion laws may tighten even before Legislature acts
Lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana have conceded defeat in their fight to block two anti-abortion laws following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last month to end constitutional protection for abortion.
Judge declines to block tighter Indiana bail restrictions
The ruling issued Wednesday will allow the law to take effect as scheduled on Friday.
Supreme Court’s abortion ruling sets off new court fights
The fall of Roe v. Wade shifted the battleground over abortion to courthouses around the country Monday, as abortion foes looked to quickly enact statewide bans and the other side sought to buy more time.
Zoo elephant named Happy isn’t a person, court rules
The zoo and its supporters warned that a victory in the closely watched case could open the door to more legal actions on behalf of animals, including pets, farm animals and other species in zoos.
Courts to begin move to new Community Justice Campus next week
The court said all non-jury, in-person court matters, with the exception of juvenile delinquency cases, will begin taking place Monday at the campus’ new courthouse in the Twin Aire neighborhood, three miles from downtown.
Crawford County judge involved in 2019 Indy shooting ends reelection bid after ‘incident’
Sabrina R. Bell of the Crawford Circuit Court announced Wednesday that she was ending her reelection campaign, just weeks before the May 3 primary election. Bell was first elected in November 2016.
Immigration court coming to Indianapolis in 2023, DOJ says
Currently, immigration cases from Indiana are sent to the Chicago Immigration Court in Illinois. The new court will serve the state of Indiana and have about 40 employees, the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed.
Appeals court allows students’ COVID breach suits vs. IU, Purdue to proceed
Lawsuits filed by students at Indiana and Purdue universities alleging breaches of contract when the schools moved to online learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic will continue, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled.
Marion County courts’ move to Community Justice Campus set to begin in April
The courts had planned to move at the end of 2021 or early 2022, but COVID-related delays changed those plans.
Appeals court rules convicted CEO doomed by evidence, not by attorney’s conflict of interest
Former CEO James Burkhart pleaded guilty in January 2018 to a scheme in which vendors working for American Senior Communities inflated invoices and kicked back profits to Burkhart and other company officials.
Indiana Southern District Court lifts mask, social distancing mandates
Visitors of the federal courthouses in the Southern District of Indiana won’t be required to wear face coverings or socially distance while entering and occupying public spaces beginning next week.