Law & Politics
Indiana Supreme Court Headed to Portage, Indiana!
In its Traveling Oral Arguments program, the Indiana Supreme Court has selected Portage High School for its oral argument on October 30, 2015. (See official in.gov posting here.) Oral arguments in a particular case focus on the legal issues surrounding the controversy between the parties, and are usually presented after the case has been fully … Continue reading Indiana Supreme Court Headed to Portage, Indiana!
Read MoreLegal Formalism vs. Legal Realism: The Law and the Human Condition
It has long been said that, “A good lawyer knows the law; a great lawyer knows the judge.” This saying could not be more true in the everyday practice of law, but perhaps not for the reason most people first think of. In my experience, judges rarely rule based upon particular relationships or preferences for … Continue reading Legal Formalism vs. Legal Realism: The Law and the Human Condition
Read MoreInjecting Common Sense into the Porter County Jail Overcrowding Problem
Jail overcrowding has been a longstanding problem in Porter County over recent years. Most recently, the Sheriff, David Lain, pleads with the County to open, and consequently fund, the third pod of our 3-pod jail facility. (See Northwest Indiana Times article, “Porter County Sherriff Again Urging Response to Jail Overcrowding” 2 May 2012; Post-Tribune article, … Continue reading Injecting Common Sense into the Porter County Jail Overcrowding Problem
Read MoreIndiana Postpones Reform of Sentencing Guidelines
After a great deal of chatter, the Indiana General Assembly has decided it will not include in its agenda for 2012 a measure to reform Indiana’s dated sentencing guidelines. (See Post-Tribune Article, “Sentencing Guidelines Overhaul to Take Another Year” 14 January 2012). (See generally News and Tribune Article, “Daniels Urges Sentencing Reform 16 December 2010). … Continue reading Indiana Postpones Reform of Sentencing Guidelines
Read MoreAttorneys General Seek to Put the Squeeze on Banks and Foreclosure Nationwide
What is referred to as “The Economy” is a set of vast, complex systems that work together to demonstrate the financial pulse of a geographic area, a state, or a nation. It can be measured in a variety of ways, and occasionally can lead to confusing contradictions. This is not the case in our current … Continue reading Attorneys General Seek to Put the Squeeze on Banks and Foreclosure Nationwide
Read MoreIndiana Supreme Court Affirms, “No Right to Resist Unlawful Entry by Police”
It is no surprise that in a moot exercise in futility, the Indiana Supreme Court affirmed its own controversial determination in Barnes v. State from earlier this summer. (See Indiana Supreme Court Errs Heavily in Favor of Law Enforcement this Week in a Pair of Surprising Decisions, Indiana General Assembly Takes Quick Action to Amend … Continue reading Indiana Supreme Court Affirms, “No Right to Resist Unlawful Entry by Police”
Read MoreNew Statute Opens Question of Expungement of Criminal Records in Indiana
A new statute has arisen in Indiana that at least opens the door to limiting access to criminal records of some criminal defendants. Indiana Code Section 35-38-5-5.5 outlines a brand new procedure (effective July 1, 2011) that allows for restricting access to noncriminal-justice agencies under particular circumstances. Up to this point, expungement of one’s criminal … Continue reading New Statute Opens Question of Expungement of Criminal Records in Indiana
Read MoreLegalizing Marijuana in Indiana!?
According to a recent Northwest Indiana Times article, Indiana may be moving its agenda toward decriminalizing marijuana–or even legalizing it for home production. See Northwest Indiana Times article, “Region state senator leads charge for reform of Indiana marijuana laws” 24 July 2011. State Senator Karen Tallian (D-Portage) is proposing that Indiana loosen its marijuana laws–the … Continue reading Legalizing Marijuana in Indiana!?
Read MoreNew Indiana Immigration Policy–Targets Immigrants, or the Fourth Amendment?
Just like in Barnes v. State, the law seems to favor “public safety” over intrusion into privacy, something our Forefathers warned heavily against. This time, it isn’t the courts blazing the new trail, it’s the Indiana General Assembly: Northwest Indiana Times, “Judge Grills Indiana Attorney Over Immigration Law, 20 June 2011. The Indiana General Assembly … Continue reading New Indiana Immigration Policy–Targets Immigrants, or the Fourth Amendment?
Read MoreIndiana Conservative Camps Make Strange Bedfellows
I have obviously been thinking a lot about the recent Indiana Supreme Court Decisions, and they bother me a great deal to say the least. I think this guy has the right idea, but is probably overstating the more thoughtful position. I definitely abhor the recent shots at liberty over the past couple of weeks … Continue reading Indiana Conservative Camps Make Strange Bedfellows
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