Provisions in a three-year-old Culver Community Schools teacher contract were part of an oral argument before the Indiana Supreme Court Thursday. Culver and three other districts in the state had finalized the 2017-2018 agreements with their teachers associations, only to have the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board (IEERB) deem certain parts non-compliant with state law.
Continue readingIndiana Courts Ordered to Suspend Jury Trials until March
The COVID-19 emergency has prompted all in-person jury trials in Indiana to be suspended until March 1. The order was handed down by the Indiana Supreme Court Monday.
Continue readingIndiana Launches Free Settlement Program for Eviction Disputes
A new program to help tenants and landlords settle eviction disputes is now up and running. Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush announced the launch of the Landlord and Tenant Settlement Conference Program, during state officials’ COVID-19 press conference Wednesday.
Continue readingIndiana Supreme Court Denies Governor’s Request for Clarification on Attorney General’s Office
The Indiana Supreme Court has denied a request for clarification from Governor Eric Holcomb on the suspension of the attorney general’s law license. Curtis Hill is suspended from practicing law starting today, with automatic reinstatement in 30 days. The governor’s legal team wanted to know if that meant Hill was no longer qualified to serve as attorney general under state statute, creating a vacancy in the office.
Continue readingGovernor Asks Supreme Court If Hill’s Suspension Means He Can Appoint a New Attorney General
Governor Eric Holcomb is asking for clarification on whether he can appoint a new attorney general, now that Curtis Hill’s law license has been suspended. In a document filed with the Indiana Supreme Court Tuesday, the governor’s attorneys note that a prosecutor has to be duly licensed to practice law under state statute, and Hill wouldn’t be allowed to fulfill many of his duties during the 30-day suspension.
Continue readingGovernor Figuring Out Next Steps Following Suspension of Attorney General’s Law License
Governor Eric Holcomb says he still needs to figure out his next steps, now that the attorney general’s law license has been suspended. The Indiana Supreme Court Monday suspended Attorney General Curtis Hill from family law attorneys practicing in Fresno in the state for 30 days beginning May 18, after a state representative and three legislative assistants accused him of inappropriate touching at an event in 2018.
Continue readingEmergency Relief Extended for Indiana Courts
Emergency relief in postponing and rescheduling court cases and trials will be extended through May 17, in an order recently filed by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Continue readingStimulus Checks May Not Be Seized by Creditors under Indiana Supreme Court Order
Hoosiers’ stimulus payments may not be seized by creditors for past-due bills, under an order from the Indiana Supreme Court Monday. During state officials’ COVID-19 press conference Tuesday, Cynthia Carrasco, deputy general counsel for the governor, explained that Indiana Legal Services and other groups had petitioned the court to protect stimulus checks.
Continue readingGovernor Opposes Releasing Department of Correction Inmates due to COVID-19
Governor Eric Holcomb says he doesn’t support the idea of releasing low-level offenders from the Department of Correction to protect them from COVID-19. “We’ve got our offenders in a safe place, we believe, maybe even safer than just letting them out, to avoid contracting this COVID-19,” Holcomb said during state officials’ COVID-19 press conference Monday.
Continue readingIndiana Supreme Court Denies ACLU Request to Release Eligible DOC Inmates to Shelter at Home
The Indiana Supreme Court handed down a decision this week that denies a request from the American Civil Liberties Union that would allow prisoners to be let out of prison who are at a heightened risk for severe illness or death from COVID-19. The request included early release of inmates who are within six months of their expected release date, reduction of sentences, place qualified inmates on home detention, or grant early parole.
Continue readingIndiana Supreme Court Temporarily Relaxes Rules to Meet Legal Needs
The Indiana Supreme Court took action recently to help attorneys and courts meet legal needs.
Continue readingACLU Requests Indiana Supreme Court to Identify Pre-Trial, High Health Risk Inmates for Release
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana petitioned the Indiana Supreme Court on Monday to take emergency steps to evaluate pretrial detainees and inmates who are at high risk of death due to COVID-19 and to release them.
Continue readingPulaski County Courts Adjust Operations in Response to Coronavirus
Pulaski County courts are adjusting their operations amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Indiana Supreme Court has granted Pulaski Circuit and Superior courts emergency relief, under Administrative Rule 17. As part of that order, no jury trials will be held in Pulaski County until after May 4.
Continue readingIndiana Supreme Court Grants Starke County Court Petition
Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall petitioned the Indiana Supreme Court for emergency relief in postponing and rescheduling court cases and trials and it was granted this week.
Continue readingStarke Circuit Court Judge Files Petition for Emergency Order
Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall filed a petition with the Indiana Supreme Court seeking the issuance of an Emergency Order to suspend all jury trials and to continue all non-essential civil and criminal hearings, effective immediately.
Continue readingJudges Spar with County Attorney over Pulaski County Court Program Grants
Pulaski County’s judges are worried that resistance from the auditor and county attorney is putting court programs in jeopardy.
In a lengthy and heated discussion during Monday’s county commissioners meeting, Circuit Court Judge Mary Welker said the county’s seen great success with its Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, but when coordinator Dr. Natalie Daily Federer tried to renew its funding, Auditor Laura Wheeler prevented it.
Continue readingNew Pulaski County Veterans Court is Indiana’s 100th Problem-Solving Court
Pulaski County’s new veterans court has gotten its official certification. That brings the number of problem-solving courts in Indiana up to 100 and the number of Indiana counties served by a problem-solving court to 50, according to an Indiana Supreme Court press release.
Continue readingState to Provide Computer Equipment to Pulaski County in Preparation for Court Software Switch
Pulaski County is getting some new computer equipment from the state, as part of its switch in court software. Circuit Court Judge Mary Welker told the county commissioners last week that Superior Court Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher has been working hard on the transition to the Odyssey system, and Circuit Court will benefit, as well.
Continue readingPulaski County Commissioners Issue Statement on Courthouse Considerations
The Pulaski County Commissioners have attempted to provide some clarification about the future of the County Courthouse. In a press release read during Tuesday’s meeting, the commissioners said they’ve been presented with a number of issues with the current building that have to be addressed.
Continue readingGrant Application for Veterans Court, Jail Treatment Program Gets Support of Pulaski Commissioners
Pulaski County is moving ahead with funding requests for its new veterans court and jail treatment programs. Last week, the county commissioners agreed to let Dr. Natalie Daily-Federer and Superior Court Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher apply for a 1006 grant through the Indiana Department of Correction.
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