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No. 25-5557October Term 2025Decided Jan 20, 2026

Docket 25-5557October Term 2025 (2025–2026)

Indiana, ex rel. Danny W. Howell, Petitioner v. Circuit Court of Indiana, Wells County, et al.

This case involves a petition for a writ of certiorari and a motion to proceed in forma pauperis, likely concerning filing restrictions or bars imposed on an incarcerated litigant.

Case status

Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released Jan 20, 2026
Case Accepted
Arguments
Decision ReleasedJan 20, 2026
What it's about

This case involves a petition for a writ of certiorari and a motion to proceed in forma pauperis, likely concerning filing restrictions or bars imposed on an incarcerated litigant.

Question presented

1. Whether the Indiana Tort Claims Act's (ITCA) notice requirements are preempted by the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution when applied to federal civil rights claims brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 in state court. 2. Whether the doctrine of absolute judicial immunity extends to acts performed by judges or court officials that are administrative, ministerial, or taken in the complete absence of all jurisdiction. 3. Whether the state courts violated the Petitioner’s Fourteenth Amendment rights to Due Process and Equal Protection by dismissing constitutional claims on procedural grounds without addressing the underlying merits of the alleged civil rights violations.

Case path

Supreme Court of Indiana / Decision released Jan 20, 2026

Area

Civil Rights

Timing

Decided January 20, 2026

The Court released its decision on January 20, 2026 without hearing oral argument.

Grounding

Grounding
Primary-source trail available.
Note
Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
Checked
Apr 6, 2026
Primary materials3