Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers took part in a celebration at the State House on March 20, 2017, sponsored by the Indiana Supreme Court, Indiana Office of Court Services, GAL/CASA. More than 400 people from across the state clothed in blue t-shirts filled its north atrium, chanting “I am for the child” and “I am CASA strong.” They came to thank lawmakers for their ongoing budgetary support and recen … [Read more...] about 2017 CASA Day Celebration
Features
2017 Legislative Summary
New crimes/increased criminal penalties: Level 1 felony: neglect of a dependent with a mental or physical disability. (S.E.A. 246, P.L. 263 – effective July 1, 2017) Level 1 felony: causing serious bodily injury to any person other than the defendant during a robbery of a pharmacist acting in an official capacity or a pharmacy. Level 2 felony: (1) the use of a deadly weapon; or (2) causing bodily injury to any person … [Read more...] about 2017 Legislative Summary
Judicial Vacancy Process
Justice Robert D. Rucker’s Legacy In January 2017, Justice Robert Rucker announced his retirement from the Indiana Supreme Court. His last day on the Court was May 12, 2017. Appointed by Governor Frank O’Bannon in 1999, Rucker was the Court’s longest-serving active Justice. As Indiana’s first African-American Court of Appeals judge (appointed in 1991) and its second African-American Supreme Court justice (appointed in … [Read more...] about Judicial Vacancy Process
Canine Companions
Courthouse dogs join CASA programs to help kids in court The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program in Delaware County just added a new four-legged member to its staff. Frankie, a two-year old female black lab, started her job at the CASA program in April. Frankie is one of only two dogs in Indiana specifically trained to help ease the fears of children in courtrooms. Going to court is stressful for anyone, … [Read more...] about Canine Companions
Indiana Supreme Court forms Office of Admissions and Continuing Education
By order entered on January 26, 2017, the Supreme Court merged the two agencies that provide administrative support for the Indiana Board of Law Examiners (BLE) and the Indiana Commission on Continuing Legal Education (CLE) into a new Office of Admissions and Continuing Education (OACE). The order provides that the OACE will operate under the direction of an executive director “who shall supervise a staff created by t … [Read more...] about Indiana Supreme Court forms Office of Admissions and Continuing Education