Verdict . News

Oct 7, 2025•4 min read

•Indiana Supreme Court unanimously ruled property tax caps limited to one-acre homesteads regardless of actual curtilage size

Indiana Supreme Court Limits Property Tax Cap to One-Acre Homesteads

The Indiana Supreme Court unanimously ruled that property owners cannot claim constitutional tax cap protections beyond one acre, even when their curtilage extends farther. The decision in Tulsi Sawlani, M.D. v. Lake County Assessor clarifies homestead exemption limits under state law.

•Dr. Tulsi Sawlani and wife failed to prove their 3.981-acre property's excess land qualified as protected curtilage

Sep 11, 2025•4 min read

•Judge failed to recuse himself from cases involving former clients, creating conflicts of interest

Indiana Judge Elkin Sanctioned, Resigns Over Ethics Violations

The Indiana Supreme Court found Judge Matthew J. Elkin of Howard Superior Court guilty of judicial misconduct, including conflicts of interest and inappropriate courtroom behavior. Elkin agreed to resign and accept a permanent ban from judicial service.

•Made inappropriate comments to problem-solving court participants and showed favoritism

Jul 31, 2025•4 min read

•Phillips charged unreasonable fees in estate matters without proper written fee agreements

Indiana Supreme Court Suspends Attorney 180 Days for Estate Fee Violations

The Indiana Supreme Court suspended attorney Christopher Phillips for 180 days after finding he charged unreasonable fees in estate matters and mismanaged his attorney trust account. Phillips will serve 120 days actively with the remainder stayed pending successful completion of three years of probation under certified public accountant monitoring.

•Mismanaged attorney trust account while handling estate funds and property sales

Jul 23, 2025•5 min read

•Indiana Supreme Court found trial court erred by allowing counsel to waive juvenile's rights advisement without personally questioning the minor

Indiana Supreme Court Rules on Juvenile Rights Procedures in Sex Crime Case

The Indiana Supreme Court affirmed a juvenile's delinquency adjudication while finding the trial court erred in allowing counsel to waive rights advisements without personally questioning the minor. The case involved charges of child molestation and dissemination of harmful material to minors.

•Court affirmed delinquency adjudication on harmless error grounds despite procedural violations

Jul 22, 2025•4 min read

•Indiana Supreme Court ruled 4-1 that Perry County properly excluded councilman Keith Huck from health insurance

Indiana Supreme Court Upholds County's Right to Exclude Part-Time Officials

The Indiana Supreme Court ruled that Perry County lawfully excluded elected councilman Keith Huck from group health insurance coverage by classifying him as a part-time employee. The 4-1 decision reversed a lower court's preliminary injunction and clarified local governments' authority over employee benefit eligibility.

•Court held local governments can exclude part-time employees from group health coverage under state law

Jul 18, 2025•4 min read

•Indiana Supreme Court ruled on second disciplinary complaint against Attorney General Theodore Rokita over public comments

Indiana Supreme Court Disciplines AG Rokita in Second Case Over Abortion Doc Comments

The Indiana Supreme Court issued a disciplinary ruling against Attorney General Theodore Rokita in a second complaint related to public comments he made about investigating Dr. Caitlin Bernard, who performed an abortion for a 10-year-old Ohio rape victim. The case follows an earlier public reprimand for similar conduct.

•Case stems from statements about investigation of Dr. Caitlin Bernard, who performed abortion for 10-year-old rape victim

Jul 18, 2025•4 min read

•Indiana Supreme Court reversed Court of Appeals dismissal of mental health commitment appeal as moot

Indiana Supreme Court Reverses Mental Health Commitment Appeal Dismissal

The Indiana Supreme Court reversed the Court of Appeals' dismissal of a mental health commitment appeal, ruling that such appeals remain viable even after commitment periods expire unless facilities prove no collateral consequences exist.

•Court applied J.F. v. St. Vincent Hospital precedent requiring proof of no collateral consequences

Jun 30, 2025•4 min read

•State forfeited appeal rights by filing untimely notice in juvenile delinquency case

Indiana Supreme Court Dismisses State Appeal in Juvenile Battery Case

The Indiana Supreme Court dismissed the State's appeal in a juvenile delinquency case involving a battery charge, ruling that prosecutors forfeited their right to appeal by filing an untimely notice. The decision clarifies procedural requirements for state appeals in youth criminal matters.

•Court avoided ruling on whether criminal appeal statutes apply to juvenile proceedings

Jun 26, 2025•4 min read

•Patient visited Methodist Hospital for nausea and vomiting, ended up with amputated foot three weeks later

Indiana Supreme Court Rules in Medical Malpractice Amputation Case

The Indiana Supreme Court issued a mixed ruling in a medical malpractice case where a truck driver who visited Methodist Hospital for nausea ended up with an amputated foot three weeks later. The court affirmed the jury verdict favoring the patient but reversed portions related to Methodist Hospital's liability and prejudgment interest calculations.

•Indiana Supreme Court affirmed jury verdict against doctor and nurse but reversed trial court's denial of Methodist Hospital's directed verdict motion