A premature notice of appeal is not fatal to appellate jurisdiction.
Supreme
City of Lawrence Utilities Svc. Bd. v. Curry, No. 49S02-1609-CT-48, __ N.E.3d __ (Ind., Feb. 8, 2017).
Newly-elected mayor wrongfully terminated the city’s utility superintendent; under Ind. Code § 8-1.5-3-5, the superintendent could only be terminated for cause by the utility service board after notice and hearing.
Wampler v. State, No. 14S05-1701-CR-37, __ N.E.3d __ (Ind., Jan. 25, 2017).
Even where a trial court has not abused its discretion in sentencing, the Indiana Constitution and Appellate Rule 7(B) authorizes revision of a sentence if it is inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense and the character of the offender.
Shoun v. State, No. 20S00-1601-LW-00061, __ N.E.3d __ (Ind., Jan. 25, 2017).
The defendant’s sentence of life without parole (LWOP) is proportional considering the severe nature of the crime and his character.
Ellis v. State, No. 71S05-1606-PC-360, __ N.E.3d __ (Ind., Jan. 26, 2017).
A judge may not accept a plea of guilty when the defendant both pleads guilty and maintains his innocence at the same time.