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
Articles
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
A Lifetime of Service
Justice Robert D. Rucker retires after 17 years on the Indiana Supreme Court Robert D. Rucker was born in Canton, Georgia and grew up in Gary, Indiana. The man he most admired was his father, Robert Dennis Rucker, Sr., who worked hard and taught him the value of an education. He wanted his son to have the opportunity to work somewhere other than the Gary steel mills. As the oldest son with three younger brothers in … [Read more...] about A Lifetime of Service
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
Partners in Justice: State of the Judiciary 2017
On January 18, 2017, Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush delivered her third address on the State of the Judiciary to a joint session of the Indiana General Assembly. Highlights of the speech follow. We also invite you to read the entire text, watch the video, and view photographs at: courts.in.gov/supreme/2552.htm The Supreme Court Justices and Judges of the Court of Appeals were greeted by escorts from the House and … [Read more...] about Partners in Justice: State of the Judiciary 2017