The Ethics of Judicial Campaigns: Part 2 (see Part 1) One of the hottest topics these days in judicial elections is campaign speech. As judicial elections become more heated, so too does the campaign rhetoric. It is important to remember, however, that judicial elections are different than other elections. Judicial candidates certainly maintain a first amendment right to express ideas during their campaigns. … [Read more...] about Speak when you are angry & you will make the best speech you'll ever regret
Hon. Lynne Elise Ellis
This is the twenty-ninth of our Court Times articles that highlight up close and personal a member of the Indiana Judiciary. Martin Circuit Court Judge Lynne Ellis is our judge featured in this issue. She received her undergraduate degree from Oakland City University and her law degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law (Bloomington) in 1999. Following graduation from law school, she joined her step-father, … [Read more...] about Hon. Lynne Elise Ellis
Civics Workshop for Teachers
Surveys, talk show hosts and the nightly news remind us that American students are woefully uninformed about even the most basic functions of our government. While no one group or organization can solve this problem on its own, the Indiana Supreme Court—through its “Courts in the Classroom” (CITC) outreach project—is doing its part by hosting workshops for Indiana teachers on the operation of Indiana’s judicial branch … [Read more...] about Civics Workshop for Teachers
Children Who Witness Violence
I once heard a judge compare her civil protection order docket to an emergency room—especially the ex parte cases. What an apt comparison! Judges and court staff often deal with people who have been physically, mentally, and emotionally traumatized when they consider ex parte protection orders. Violence of any kind is traumatic to human beings, and children, who lack the experience and coping skills of adults, are a … [Read more...] about Children Who Witness Violence
Sealing Court Records: The How and the Why (Not)
Some cases are embarrassing for the parties involved—with free, easy public access to many court records via the Internet, some people rue the day they ever decided to go to the courthouse and file a case. For a variety of reasons, the parties would rather their employers, in-laws, landlords, or bank loan officers were oblivious to their legal history. Because of this, trial courts sometimes find themselves presented … [Read more...] about Sealing Court Records: The How and the Why (Not)