Justice Robert D. Rucker retires after 17 years on the Indiana Supreme Court Robert D. Rucker was born in Canton, Georgia and grew up in Gary, Indiana. The man he most admired was his father, Robert Dennis Rucker, Sr., who worked hard and taught him the value of an education. He wanted his son to […]
Cover Stories
Partners in Justice: State of the Judiciary 2017
On January 18, 2017, Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush delivered her third address on the State of the Judiciary to a joint session of the Indiana General Assembly. Highlights of the speech follow. We also invite you to read the entire text, watch the video, and view photographs at: courts.in.gov/supreme/2552.htm The Supreme Court Justices and […]
Reforms to the Marion County Small Claims Courts
On July 18, 2011, an article appeared in the Wall Street Journal that criticized the operations of the nine township small claims courts in Marion County. The paper launched several additional stories covering litigant complaints of forum shopping, exorbitant attorney’s fees, and other unfair debt collection practices. Under the leadership of Marion Circuit Court Judge […]
Revolutionary move away from paper in progress
Indiana’s e-filing project is at full steam just two years after the Supreme Court announced it would pursue a uniform, statewide system. By the end of 2018, all Indiana courts will have voluntary e-filing available, and attorneys will be required to electronically file most pleadings. Twenty-first century pioneers Change is difficult; progress is even harder. […]
Celebrating the Bicentennial
Indiana Supreme Court returns to original Courtroom in Corydon as part of 2016 Bicentennial Celebration The Supreme Court is committed to providing an opportunity for students to learn about the courts even if they cannot attend oral argument at the State House. Since 1994 the Court has held more than forty traveling oral arguments. The […]
CASA Strong
Leaders, volunteers turn out for CASA Day at the State House A sea of about 350 volunteers in matching blue shirts filled the North Atrium of the State House on March 7, for CASA Day, an annual rally that connects CASA volunteers with lawmakers. Governor Mike Pence and Chief Justice Loretta Rush made remarks to […]
When Stars Align
For many years, those working in the juvenile justice system have been concerned with the children that are involved with, and have needs in, both the juvenile delinquency and child welfare systems. Juvenile judges, juvenile probation officers and Department of Child Services’ case managers have lamented for years the imaginary firewall that existed between juvenile […]
Grant program working to keep low-level criminals out of prison
The Indiana General Assembly focused on criminal code reform during the 2014 and 2015 legislative sessions. House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1006, authored both years by Representative Greg Steuerwald, R-Avon, rewrote criminal penalties and sentencing statutes to keep low-level offenders in local communities where they will have better access to mental health and substance abuse treatment, […]
Yes Virginia, Judges can be Santa Claus
Dear Ms. Meiring, With the holiday season approaching, Charity Y would like to know whether it is ethically permissible for our local judge to dress up like Santa Claus and pass out donated presents to the less fortunate kids in the community at our annual holiday party. Sincerely, Virginia, Director of Charity Y Ah, the […]
Second Chances: Indiana’s Evolving Expungement Law
While still a subject of some controversy, expungement, the process by which an Indiana citizen can seal past criminal records, has undergone significant revision since its inception. In 2012, Indiana lawmakers enacted legislation popularly known as the “Second Chance Law.” Under the 2012 procedure, only those convicted of misdemeanors and non-violent class D felonies were […]
