Articles

7th Circuit’s Williams joins Jones Day

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Senior Judge and Notre Dame Law School graduate Ann Claire Williams has joined Jones Day to lead the international law firm’s effort in advancing the rule of law in Africa.

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7th Circuit: Suit against Evansville, Kentucky police may proceed

A federal complaint alleging coercion, constitutional violations and falsification at the hands of Evansville and Kentucky police officers investigating a murder will continue after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals determined qualified immunity was not appropriate for certain claims against the officers.

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Gymnastics doctor sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison

The former sports doctor who admitted molesting some of the nation’s top gymnasts for years under the guise of medical treatment was sentenced Wednesday to 40 to 175 years in prison by a judge who proudly told him, “I just signed your death warrant.”

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7th Circuit remands case for resentencing, pro se hearing

The Indiana Southern District Court must resentence an Indianapolis man convicted of possessing ammunition as a felon after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals determined the district court did not adequately inquire into whether the man wanted to proceed pro se.

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COA affirms dismissal of malpractice suit against Barnes

A South Bend-based staffing company has failed to state a claim for relief in its legal malpractice complaint against Barnes & Thornburg LLP, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled in a Tuesday opinion upholding the dismissal of the complaint against the law firm.

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Wisconsin’s 7th Circuit nominee to appear before Judiciary Committee

The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to consider Wednesday the nomination for the longest vacancy in the federal judiciary — the Wisconsin seat on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. Michael Brennan, former Wisconsin state court judge and ally of Gov. Scott Walker, is scheduled to appear before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary at 10 a.m.

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7th Circuit affirms judgment in favor of IU Health

A former Indiana University Health doctor who sued IU Health North for failing to stop alleged racial discrimination has lost his appeal before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, with the federal panel finding the district court did not abuse its discretion during the trial, so the verdict in favor of the hospital was valid.

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Fixed plea modifications at heart of legislation, Supreme Court case

When a court accepts a fixed-sentence plea agreement, prosecutors and defenders alike say the long-standing practice has been for courts to uphold the exact terms of that sentence, absent an agreement between the parties. A recent Indiana Court of Appeals ruling, however, has seemingly put an end to that practice, leading to both a legislative and judicial review of the sentencing issue.

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Rush: Courts ready for hope-filled future

It’s no secret the ongoing opioid epidemic has ravaged nearly every corner of the Hoosier state, sending thousands to court on drug charges, ballooning the number of children in need of services and more. But even as the drug crisis strains Indiana’s judicial resources, Chief Justice Loretta Rush said new court programs and technology have positioned the judiciary to meet the crisis head-on and lead the state into a “hope-filled future.”

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Child support network faces fear of collapse

Several times while talking about the statewide computer system that keeps track of child support money, John Owens rapped his knuckles on the nearest piece of wood. Indiana’s technology, dubbed ISETS, processes almost $1 billion in child support payments every year. However, the Department of Child Services says in a report that ISETS is “built on dying technology” from the 1980s. The concern is one day, it will crash for good.

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Keeping East Chicago lead cleanup a priority

Two Statehouse Democrats from northwest Indiana know the cleanup of the contamination site in East Chicago will not only take years but also a steady state commitment. Their legislation — and affected residents’ federal court cases — aim to keep the issue in the spotlight.

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3 board members quit USA Gymnastics as more victims speak

Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics announced the resignations of three key leaders Monday while more women and girls told a judge about being sexually assaulted at the hands of a sports doctor who spent years with Olympic gymnasts and other female athletes.

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