The newly formed Commission on Improving the Status of Children held its inaugural meeting on August 21, 2013. Governor Mike Pence signed Senate Bill 125 into law effective July 1, 2013. The multi-branch statewide Commission is aimed at improving the status of children in Indiana. In cooperation with other stakeholders, Commission members will study issues concerning vulnerable youth, review and make recommendations … [Read more...] about State Commission on Improving the Status of Children
Advocacy
US Supreme Court Examines Services for Self-Represented Litigants
The treatment of self-represented litigants is an ongoing dilemma for Indiana courts. Judges grapple with questions of how to effectively ensure access to justice for these litigants, who may be at a disadvantage in proceedings where important rights are at stake. This question was addressed by the United States Supreme Court in 2011 in Turner v. Rogers, 131 S.Ct 2507 (2011). Although the ruling in this case was … [Read more...] about US Supreme Court Examines Services for Self-Represented Litigants
Who's Overseeing the Overseers?
A Report on the State of Adult Guardianship in Indiana The Indiana Adult Guardianship State Task Force was convened in spring 2008. The Task Force membership includes key Indiana public/private agencies and organizations that serve or advocate for at-risk adults in need of guardianship services and individual guardianship professionals, advocates and others with an interest in providing quality guardianship … [Read more...] about Who's Overseeing the Overseers?
How a Guardianship Registry Benefits the Citizens of Indiana
An online registry tracking adult guardianships would enhance the protection of vulnerable adults, provide courts and law enforcement with vital and timely information, and allow for greater monitoring of guardianships across the state. The Probate Committee of the Judicial Conference of Indiana, in conjunction with the Indiana Adult Guardianship Task Force (IAGS), has been charged with ways to meet the increased … [Read more...] about How a Guardianship Registry Benefits the Citizens of Indiana
Access to Justice Workshop
“Because we’re here, I hope one less person is going to be a victim of domestic violence, one less person is going to be denied their benefits, one less person is going to feel shut out of the legal system that they thought was a promise to all of us.” This was expressed by Justice Nathan Hecht of the Texas Supreme Court during the Access to Justice Workshop. The workshop was held on March 22nd and 23rd at the State … [Read more...] about Access to Justice Workshop