The Indiana Supreme Court announced the posting of the 2015 Court Reform Grant applications, now available at: courts.in.gov/admin/2420.htm. During the 2015 Judicial District Meetings, it was apparent trial judges needed help with two issues: language access to the courts managing an ever-increasing caseload of unrepresented litigants In response, the Court will focus the 2015 Court Reform Grant cycle on projects … [Read more...] about 2015 Court Reform Grant Applications
Articles
Employee Medical Leave Rights: It's Complicated
Once upon a time, the employer determined medical leave. Whether an employee had the ability to stay home when ill without risk of termination depended on the boss. After a nine-year legislative battle, in 1993 Congress enacted the Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA). For many workers, FMLA proved to be a great boon. Parents with newborns don’t have to negotiate for leaves of absence of less than twelve weeks. An i … [Read more...] about Employee Medical Leave Rights: It's Complicated
Indiana Public Defender Commission: Providing Legal Counsel for the Indigent
Criminal and juvenile cases now constitute almost half of all cases filed in Indiana (excluding infractions). Criminal and juvenile cases require the court-appointment of counsel if the defendant is indigent. When this occurs, judges must select from a relatively small pool of attorneys who are potentially eligible for appointment. Fifty-five of Indiana’s ninety-two counties have joined the state-funded public d … [Read more...] about Indiana Public Defender Commission: Providing Legal Counsel for the Indigent
Limited English Proficient Individuals: Access to Courts Through Qualified Interpreters
The gold-standard of interpreting in Indiana courtrooms is to provide LEP individuals with a Certified Interpreter. Certified Interpreters are important because their interpreting skills for court use have been rigorously tested. The friendly helper in the back of the court room who is bilingual in Spanish and English typically does not know all the legal words being used by a court. There can be a serious risk of … [Read more...] about Limited English Proficient Individuals: Access to Courts Through Qualified Interpreters
2014 Reform Grants
With nearly 1.6 million new cases filed in 2013, Indiana’s trial courts must continually look for new ways to increase efficiency while still providing a high quality of service to litigants and other court participants. One of these ways is through Indiana’s Court Reform Grant program, funded through federal reimbursements for previously uncollected expenses associated with Title IV-D enforcement actions. Since 200 … [Read more...] about 2014 Reform Grants