How we select our judges has been a hot topic in the last year. Hugh M. Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal Co., ___U.S. ____, 2009 WL 1576573 (June 9, 2009), is a case with facts reminiscent of a John Grisham novel. We watched with great interest as it wound its way through the appellate process. On June 9, the United States Supreme Court provided another factor to consider in the continuing debate over merit selection v … [Read more...] about Judges: Selection, Conduct, and the Constitution
Features
New Roads Ahead for Self-Represented Litigants
Almost 10 years ago, a small team of individuals headed west to learn about the latest findings and information concerning the rising trend in “pro se litigation.” With the leadership, vision, and support of Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard, Judge David Coleman (Hendricks), Judge Gregory Donat (Tippecanoe) and Staci Terry, Esq. (formerly with Indiana Legal Services) attended the National Conf … [Read more...] about New Roads Ahead for Self-Represented Litigants
The Dangling Docket
Most courts, without even knowing it, encounter an annoying “dangling docket.” Every court in the state reports its docket of cases to the Division of State Court Administration on the Quarterly Case Status Report (QCSR). Each case is counted and noted as being filed, pending or disposed. A frequent question from the courts is: “When can a case be disposed?” Courts can readily label as “disposed” cases concluded af … [Read more...] about The Dangling Docket
When can a court collect assessments from cash posted for bond in a criminal matter?
Collecting fines and costs assessed upon conviction in a criminal matter is a daunting task for a county. So it is no wonder that being able to deduct fines, costs, fees and restitution from bond money already deposited with the clerk of the courts is seen as a good way to substantially increase the collection of these assessments without further use of county resources. The county cannot deduct any monies from c … [Read more...] about When can a court collect assessments from cash posted for bond in a criminal matter?
Lake County Juvenile Justice
The investigative series “Lake County Juvenile Justice” premiered on Saturday, July 4, 2009 on MSNBC. In July 2008, the Indiana Supreme Court announced it was once again allowing documentary filmmaker Karen Grau to have access to the Lake County juvenile court. Grau describes the series as a program that “explores where juvenile crime begins, how it evolves over time, and what’s at stake for kids, families and profes … [Read more...] about Lake County Juvenile Justice