The law and the jungle

Interesting:

Huh. Something I did not know about Indiana law:

It's likely that Super Bowl XLVI revelers Downtown will be able to carry open alcoholic drinks outside the bars where they bought them when festivities rev up on Jan. 27.

If the right-to-work law can be called the "right to work for less" law, I think it's fair to call the practice of licensing the "right to work for more" mechanism:

A bill making its way before leaders in Indiana would eliminate the need for some professions, like hairdressers and barbers, to be licensed and it's causing outrage in the cosmetology industry.

A state Senate committee has approved a bill to back away from the Indiana Supreme Court's assertion that Hoosiers have no right ever to resist unlawful police entry, and they seem to be on the right track. An amendment was offered to take out a line giving officers the right to enter "if there is suspected domestic or family violence" because the language was so broad that it could always be used to justify entry.

Shocking but true, it is reported that alcohol consumption was involved here:

A north-central Indiana man accused of auto theft also faces charges alleging that he threatened to eat his arresting officers, their entire families and their police dogs.

Man, that's one big appetite.

In his final State of the Judiciary speech, retiring Indiana Chief Justice Randall Shepard makes an interesting point about the justice system and the economy:

He also said improvements in the state's legal system have helped courts become an aid — or at least not a hindrance — to Indiana's economic development.

Phil Marx points us to this bill introduced in the Indiana Senate, which would permit "an employer to consider tobacco use by job applicants in the hiring process." Indiana is one of about 30 states that have so-called "smokers' rights" laws (here is a roundup and critique), and this would amend and weaken our statute, by taking out all references to "prospective" employees. Here, for example:

A Fort Wayne mother drags her son along for her 15 minutes of fame:
An Indiana mom caused a stir on a street corner when she forced her teenage son to stand there wearing a sign that read, "I lie, I steal, I sell drugs, I don't follow the law."

Dynesha Lax said she was tired of dealing with her 14-year-old son breaking the law and getting into trouble. After he had a recent run-in with the police, she came up with an unusual punishment. 

OK, show of hands: Who didn't see this coming?

Changes to Indianapolis' alcohol laws will allow thousands of Super Bowl partiers to enjoy the game on the streets.

A pretty silly column in the Lafayette Journal & Courier, under the headline "Civility continues to rule in Indiana":

A year removed from the Gabrielle Giffords shooting, tensions have been high among Indiana voters as the right-to-work legislation has led to the second Statehouse stalemate in as many years.