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. But that [...]

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 arguments [...]

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 an impassioned [...]

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 probation [...]

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 holidays – ‘tis 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 [...]

Employee Medical Leave Rights: It’s Complicated

Once upon a time, the employer determined medical leave. Whether an employee had the ability to stay home when ill without risk of termination depended on the boss.
After a nine-year legislative battle, in 1993 Congress enacted the Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA). For many workers, FMLA proved to be a great boon. [...]

One and Done: How INcite is reducing redundant DNA collection

One of the responsibilities of probation officers is to collect body fluid samples from clients to test for the presence of drugs or alcohol when that is a condition of their probation. But did you also know that Indiana law requires officers to collect a DNA sample for persons convicted of a felony? [...]

All Courts Shall Be Open

Continued emphasis on fair and impartial justice as Dickson transfers leadership to Rush
On June 11, 2014, Brent E. Dickson announced he would step down as Chief Justice of Indiana before September first and continue serving as an Associate Justice on the five-member Supreme Court. When Dickson informed the Judicial Nominating Commission of his plans, [...]

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