ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- A St. Joseph County judge lifted a stay which means the South Bend tapes case can move forward in state court.

Judge Steven L Hostetler lifted the stay during a hearing Thursday morning.

In this case, the South Bend Common Council is suing the South Bend administration because it wants access to the tapes recorded at the South Bend Police Department in 2011.

The stay was granted two years ago when the case moved to federal court to determine whether the tapes recorded at the South Bend Police Department violated the federal Wiretap Act.

Robert Palmer, the attorney for the council, says this decision means the case can move forward in state court.

Later this month, the council and the administration's attorneys must file responses to recent motions.

The next hearing is not expected to be scheduled for a couple of months.