7th Circuit rules Title VII covers sexual orientation
In a landmark ruling, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has found Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
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Political group takes ‘robocall’ law challenge to SCOTUS
A political advocacy group that wants to strike down Indiana’s ban on robocalls has asked the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn the state law it calls the most restrictive in the nation.
Supreme Court announces schedule for 2nd round of vacancy interviews
The Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission will move to the next step in the process of selecting three finalists to fill an impending vacancy on the Indiana Supreme Court during its second round of semifinalists interviews later this month.
Trump defends Obama’s for-profit college crackdown
For-profit colleges were supposed to thrive under a Trump administration staffed by officials known to be friendly to the industry. A legal filing from last week suggests perhaps those assumptions were premature.
Judge awards $850,000 to 8 fired Anderson city workers
A federal judge has ruled the city of Anderson must pay about $850,000 to eight people who were fired when a new mayor took office in 2012.
COA affirms neglect conviction against man with intellectual disability
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the felony neglect conviction of a Wayne County man with a mild intellectual disability, finding that the state presented sufficient evidence to prove that he knowingly neglected his child leading to the boy’s death, and that the testimony of two medical experts was proper.
Disciplinary Actions – 4/5/17
Read who’s been suspended or publicly reprimanded by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Disbarred Merrillville lawyer to face second mail fraud trial
The federal government will try again next month to convince a jury that disbarred Merrillville attorney Robert Stochel should be found guilty of mail fraud for allegedly embezzling more than $330,000 from a receivership he administered.
Fewer offenders paying user fees
A money crunch hits probation and community corrections departments around Indiana as a result of less offenders paying fees.
Semifinalists set for second round of Supreme Court interviews
From a pool of 20 candidates to fill the upcoming vacancy on the Indiana Supreme Court after Justice Robert Rucker retires, a little over half remain after the first round of interviews with members of the Judicial Nominating Commission last month.
Lawyer stands behind his own rollover crash tests courts ruled inadmissible
New Albany attorney Dave Scott wanted to prove a point when he strapped himself behind the wheel of a 1999 Ford Explorer that was pushed down an embankment, violently rolling over multiple times. Just to be safe, he later buckled into another Explorer that again was sent careening roof over wheels, rolling three times.
ACLU, Planned Parenthood praise preliminary injunction against abortion law
Pro-choice advocates are celebrating a “major victory” for a woman’s right to choose Monday after a federal judge blocked a portion of an Indiana abortion regulation that would have required women to get an ultrasound at least 18 hours before an abortion procedure.
US Supreme Court rejects bid to revive ballot selfies ban
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected New Hampshire's bid to revive a law prohibiting voters from taking selfies pictures with their completed ballots.
Judge’s ruling ends civil suit against former Irwin Union bank officers
An Indianapolis judge has ruled in favor of three former Irwin Union Bank & Trust Co. executives, closing the book on a civil suit that the bank’s bankruptcy trustee originally filed in 2011.
White House no longer wants ABA evaluations for judicial spots
The decision by the Trump administration to no longer seek input from the American Bar Association on nominees to the federal bench does not mean the national organization of lawyers will be cut completely from the evaluation process.
Donnelly supports Gorsuch nomination to Supreme Court
Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly says he'll support the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Public-private partnership proposed for Indy justice center
Marion County’s proposed criminal justice center should be financed through a public-private partnership, the task force studying the proposal announced Friday.
Federal judge blocks another Indiana abortion regulation
A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against an Indiana law requiring women to have ultrasounds at least 18 hours before having an abortion, holding that the regulation places an undue burden on low-income women.
Public-private partnership proposed for Indy justice center
Marion County’s proposed criminal justice center should be financed through a public-private partnership, the task force studying the proposal announced Friday.
Couples file reply brief in birth certificate dispute
The married female same-sex couples fighting Indiana’s birth certificate statute have filed their brief with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.