‘God’ gets more time to pay filing fee to sue IU
A man claiming to be God but who’s a little light on money can sue Indiana University and the Lilly Library by paying his federal court filing fees in installments, a federal judge ruled this week.
District Courts
Articles
Deputy prosecutor wins summary judgment on malicious prosecution claims
A deputy prosecutor accused of encouraging a criminal investigation into a former sheriff’s deputy due to connections she made from a television show based on her life has been cleared of the allegations against her after a district court judge found her actions were covered by qualified immunity.
Andretti Autosport sued over sponsorship money from HHGregg
A group representing the unsecured creditors of HHGregg has filed suit against Andretti Autosport in an attempt to claw back nearly $1.5 million in sponsorship money the now-defunct retailer paid the racing team in the months leading up to its bankruptcy.
District Courts warning of jury phone scams
Federal district courts across the country are warning citizens to be vigilant against jury phone scams.
Southern District Court announces selection of new magistrate judge
An Arkansas-born attorney with long ties to the Hoosier legal community has been selected to become the newest magistrate judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
Judge sides with Philadelphia in ‘sanctuary cities’ case
A federal judge in Philadelphia on Wednesday blocked the U.S. government from withholding a major grant that pays for public safety equipment because Philadelphia is a “sanctuary city.”
Indianapolis sues drug companies for opioid crisis
The city of Indianapolis is making good on its promise to sue some of the country’s largest opioid manufacturers and distributors and is seeking compensation for their role in the worsening opioid crisis that is “ravaging” the city.
Magnus-Stinson issues warning to parties filing frivolous motions
Indiana Southern District Chief Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson has issued a stern warning to any defendants considering filing an affirmative defense of failure to exhaust administrative remedies under the Prison Litigation Reform Act – provide evidence to support that claim or abandon the defense entirely.
Federal Bar Update: Revisions to SD Indiana case management plans
The Southern District of Indiana made modest changes to its Uniform Case Management Plans, both the general plan and the patent litigation plan, effective Nov. 1.
District court won’t enter judgment against Cuban government in sexual assault case
A district court judge has declined to enter default judgment against the Republic of Cuba on an Indiana woman’s claim against the foreign nation after finding members of the Cuban National Soccer Team were not acting within the scope of their employment for the country when they sexually assaulted her.
Transgender inmate sues DOC for hormone therapy
A transgender inmate is suing the Indiana Department of Correction and is seeking a preliminary injunction that would require the department to provide hormone therapy to treat gender dysphoria.
Indianapolis judge bars immigration detentions
A federal judge has barred the Marion County Sheriff’s Office from detaining people in Indianapolis based solely on requests by immigration officials.
District court rejects Fogle’s ‘sovereign’ challenge
Former Subway pitchman Jared Fogle will continue to serve his nearly 15-year prison term for multiple child pornography charges after a district court judge struck down his “sovereign” pro se motion challenging her subject matter jurisdiction as frivolous.
Menendez lawyer assails bribery case in closing to jury
The bribery case against Sen. Bob Menendez and a wealthy friend is built on assumptions and speculation and is devoid of evidence of an actual criminal agreement, the Democrat’s attorney told jurors in closing arguments Monday in Newark, New Jersey.
Indiana man accused of stealing, selling railroad bridge
He asked, they told him no, but he did it anyway, authorities say, accusing a scrap-metal dealer of taking apart an abandoned railroad bridge and selling the metal for $18,000.
Mueller estimates 3-week trial for Manafort, Gates
Court documents show Special Counsel Robert Mueller thinks it will take three weeks to present a case against ex-Trump campaign officials Paul Manafort and Rick Gates.
Due in court, Manafort attacks Russia probe indictment
Accused of multiple financial crimes, President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman on Thursday attacked the strength of the evidence against him, saying the case brought by special counsel Robert Mueller is “embellished.”
Barnes partner Sweeney nominated for Southern District judgeship
President Donald Trump has nominated Barnes & Thornburg partner James Sweeney II for a judgeship on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
Lawsuit targets Trump’s rollback of birth-control rule
Two national advocacy groups filed a federal lawsuit in Indiana on Tuesday challenging a rule change by President Donald Trump's administration allowing more employers to opt out of no-cost birth control for workers.
Menendez judge to rule on defense mistrial motion
Defense attorneys for U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez and a wealthy friend have accused the judge in their bribery trial of not letting them present evidence and witnesses to prove their case.