Indiana Case Commentaries

Indiana Supreme Court Allows Extrinsic Evidence to Resolve Ambiguous Trust Terms

Date: Mar 15, 2006

Indiana Supreme Court Allows Extrinsic Evidence to Resolve Ambiguous Trust Terms Introduction The case of University of Southern Indiana Foundation v. Richard A. Baker addresses the interpretation of...

Strengthening Fourth Amendment Protections: Indiana Supreme Court Rules on Invalid Consent in Vehicle Searches

Date: Feb 17, 2006

Strengthening Fourth Amendment Protections: Indiana Supreme Court Rules on Invalid Consent in Vehicle Searches Introduction In the landmark case of SELLMER v. STATE, 842 N.E.2d 358 (Ind. 2006), the...

State of Indiana v. Quirk: Establishing Standards for Reasonable Detention and Search under the Indiana Constitution

Date: Feb 15, 2006

State of Indiana v. Quirk: Establishing Standards for Reasonable Detention and Search under the Indiana Constitution Introduction State of Indiana v. Thomas A. Quirk, 842 N.E.2d 334 (Ind. 2006), is a...

Reversing the Denial of Motion to Suppress: Indiana Supreme Court Establishes Stricter Standards for Inventory Searches

Date: Feb 15, 2006

Reversing the Denial of Motion to Suppress: Indiana Supreme Court Establishes Stricter Standards for Inventory Searches Introduction In the landmark case of Marvin TAYLOR v. STATE of Indiana, the...

Indiana Court Upholds Termination of Parental Rights under Clear and Convincing Evidence Standard: Castro v. State of Indiana

Date: Feb 14, 2006

Indiana Court Upholds Termination of Parental Rights under Clear and Convincing Evidence Standard: Castro v. State of Indiana Introduction In the landmark case of Douglas Castro v. State of Indiana...

Indiana Supreme Court Reinforces Jury’s Role in Sentencing Enhancements Post BLAKELY v. WASHINGTON

Date: Feb 9, 2006

Indiana Supreme Court Reinforces Jury’s Role in Sentencing Enhancements Post BLAKELY v. WASHINGTON Introduction The case of Tyrus Bryant v. State of Indiana (841 N.E.2d 1154) serves as a pivotal...

Indiana Supreme Court Establishes Accomplice Liability Without Principal's Mens Rea

Date: Jan 18, 2006

Indiana Supreme Court Establishes Accomplice Liability Without Principal's Mens Rea Introduction In the landmark case of Kenyan L. TAYLOR v. STATE of Indiana, the Supreme Court of Indiana addressed...

Balancing Completeness and Fairness in Confession Evidence: Indiana Supreme Court in SANDERS v. STATE

Date: Jan 13, 2006

Balancing Completeness and Fairness in Confession Evidence: Indiana Supreme Court in SANDERS v. STATE Introduction SANDERS v. STATE is a pivotal case adjudicated by the Supreme Court of Indiana on...

Automobile Exception Reinforced in MYERS v. STATE of Indiana

Date: Dec 22, 2005

Automobile Exception Reinforced in MYERS v. STATE of Indiana Introduction In James Thomas MYERS v. STATE of Indiana (839 N.E.2d 1146, 2005), the Supreme Court of Indiana addressed critical issues...

Reaffirming Parental Rights: Analysis of Indiana's Supreme Court Decision in Bester v. Lake County Office of Family and Children

Date: Dec 21, 2005

Reaffirming Parental Rights: Analysis of Indiana's Supreme Court Decision in Bester v. Lake County Office of Family and Children Introduction The case of Robert Bester vs. Lake County Office of...

Mental Retardation and the Death Penalty: Insights from PRUITT v. STATE OF INDIANA

Date: Nov 23, 2005

Mental Retardation and the Death Penalty: Insights from PRUITT v. STATE OF INDIANA Introduction PRUITT v. STATE OF INDIANA is a landmark case adjudicated by the Supreme Court of Indiana on November...

Uninsured Motorist Coverage and Diminished Vehicle Value: Insights from DUNN v. MERIDIAN MUTUAL INSURANCE Company

Date: Oct 28, 2005

Uninsured Motorist Coverage and Diminished Vehicle Value: Insights from DUNN v. MERIDIAN MUTUAL INSURANCE Company Introduction The case of James B. DUNN v. MERIDIAN MUTUAL INSURANCE Company addresses...

Good Faith Disputes and Punitive Damages in Insurance Claims: Insights from Monroe Guaranty Insurance Co. v. Magwerks Corp.

Date: Jun 30, 2005

Good Faith Disputes and Punitive Damages in Insurance Claims: Insights from Monroe Guaranty Insurance Co. v. Magwerks Corp. Introduction The case of Monroe Guaranty Insurance Company v. Magwerks...

Supreme Court of Indiana Sets Precedent on Child Support Modifications: Emphasis on Substantial and Continuous Changed Circumstances

Date: Jun 29, 2005

Supreme Court of Indiana Sets Precedent on Child Support Modifications: Emphasis on Substantial and Continuous Changed Circumstances Introduction The case of Donna J. MacLafferty v. William P....

Supreme Court of Indiana Upholds Contractual Limitation Period, Rejects Discovery Rule Extension

Date: Jun 29, 2005

Supreme Court of Indiana Upholds Contractual Limitation Period, Rejects Discovery Rule Extension Introduction In the landmark case of New Welton Homes v. Lance Eckman and Karen Eckman, the Supreme...

Indiana Supreme Court Revises Excessive Sentencing in Sixto Cotto Case: Balancing Aggravating and Mitigating Factors

Date: Jun 24, 2005

Indiana Supreme Court Revises Excessive Sentencing in Sixto Cotto v. State of Indiana: Balancing Aggravating and Mitigating Factors Introduction The case of Sixto Cotto v. State of Indiana,...

Indiana Supreme Court Reinforces Adverse Possession Tax Statute Compliance in FRALEY v. MINGER

Date: Jun 21, 2005

Indiana Supreme Court Reinforces Adverse Possession Tax Statute Compliance in FRALEY v. MINGER Introduction In the case of Clarence E. Fraley v. Clarence K. Minger and Eva Minger, decided on June 20,...

Indiana Supreme Court Establishes Clear Guidelines for License Plate Placement

Date: Jun 18, 2005

Indiana Supreme Court Establishes Clear Guidelines for License Plate Placement Introduction The case of Jelani MERRITT v. STATE of Indiana addresses the critical issue of proper license plate display...

Procedural Defaulting of Post-Conviction Claims in Capital Cases: Ke v. Conner

Date: Jun 17, 2005

Procedural Defaulting of Post-Conviction Claims in Capital Cases: Ke v. Conner Introduction In Kevin A. CONNER v. STATE of Indiana (829 N.E.2d 21, Supreme Court of Indiana, June 16, 2005), the...

Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights: In the Matter of In v. Vanderburgh County Office of Family and Children

Date: Apr 1, 2005

Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights: In the Matter of In v. Vanderburgh County Office of Family and Children Introduction The case of In the Matter of the Involuntary Termination of the...