Shay Hughes Law Office, LLC

06/02/2026

The better argument is how Judge Swaim was appointed. Chief Justice Rush made public, personal statements and referred to Judge Meyer as a longtime friend. While understandable, it is unusual for such statements to be made. Thereafter, the Chief Justice issued an order appointing Judge Swaim. However, IMO, another Justice could have issued the order. With that said, difficult motion to win.

Thomas Moss filed a handwritten motion asking Special Judge Lisa Swaim to recuse herself in the judge's shooting case, saying she shows favoritism to prosecutors. See link below ⬇️

📸 Ron Wilkins/Journal & Courier

06/01/2026

Rhode Island FC vs. Indy Eleven (May 30, 2026; United Soccer League). First pro soccer game for yours truly. The Indy Eleven are named the 11th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment (served in the Civil War).

The club currently plays at Carroll Stadium (IU Indy) and had plans in place to build a new stadium. In fact, the City-County Council had approved a special tax district to finance the project. However, the city changed course and sought to pursue an MLS club w/ a different stadium district. The city soured on the club’s project contending there was a major funding gap and the finding of human remains on the site. Thereafter, the Council approved the city’s alternative MLS stadium tax district. However, the State Budget Committee has yet to approve the tax district.

05/31/2026

Champion City Half Trax vs. Lafayette Aviators (May 29, 2026). Opening week of the Prospect League (collegiate summer league). Aviators Manager Jamie Sailors enters his 4th season with the club. Sailors is from nearby Chalmers and went to Frontier. Currently teaches at Logansport. Last year, the Aviators were Eastern Conference champs.

Champion City plays out of Springfield, Ohio (NE of Dayton, home of Wittenberg University). Manager DJ Neff enters his 1st season and is an asst coach at Wittenberg.

Really enjoyed Teays River Brewing & Public House FlyBoy Light.

05/28/2026

Article cites to legal deserts but references an attorney who is working out of Crown Point. Skeptical widening bar admission is the solution. Pay for court appointed work remains low with some counties not friendly to private practice. It’s more than just licensing more attorneys.

Stefan May attended Purdue Global Law School, a fully online school, while working his security job. He graduated, passed the Indiana Bar, and now works for a private firm in Crown Point. 🔗 https://tinyurl.com/8pd682rx

05/22/2026

Good work by Boonville attorney Mark Phillips. Client acquitted of murder and two battery counts.

Officials say him Misdemeanor Domestic Battery charged was dismissed.

05/22/2026

Good work by longtime Tippecanoe Deputy Public Defender Andy Searle. Searle’s client was charged with Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor. However, the trial court suppressed the seizure and determined West Lafayette Police Officer Licona lacked reasonable suspicion to stop the Defendant. Thereafter, the trial court acquitted the Defendant.

05/20/2026

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have a couple of cases pending on appeal in which I argued, as trial counsel, that the State was attempting to impose an illegal double enhancement.

Today, in Watkins, the State conceded error.

Last year, the State charged Watkins with Failure to Register, Level 5 Felony, and being a habitual offender. But the felony conviction that created Watkins’ duty to register was the same conviction the State used in the habitual offender information. We argued this resulted in an improper double enhancement under Mills and Dye II. Once a conviction is used to establish the duty to register, it cannot also be used to enhance the sentence through a habitual offender allegation.

In its brief, the State agreed.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

05/20/2026

The State has conceded error. Will have more later.

05/20/2026

48th jury trial was completed yesterday. Difficult case given surveillance video and 911 calls. No meaningful takeaways other than the trial court does not appear inclined to entertain late amendments to the charging information.

I agree with that approach. Late amendments often alter the defense theory, deprive meaningful preparation, and leave counsel with a hollow continuance.