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
Features
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
Family Court Project Surveys Elder Law Issues
According to the United States Census Bureau 2000 census, approximately 12% of this country’s population is age 65 or older. Between 1946 and 1964, 77 million babies were born in the United States. These children are known as the “Baby Boomer” generation, and by the year 2011, the oldest of the baby boomer generation will turn 65. Experts expect that in the very near future 20% of the population in this country will b … [Read more...] about Family Court Project Surveys Elder Law Issues