Senators seek candidate to fill Judge Barker’s vacancy
Indiana Sens. Joe Donnelly and Dan Coats have begun the process for selecting a candidate to fill the vacancy coming to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
District Courts
Articles
Body shops sue insurers, allege push to drive down prices
In a federal lawsuit, 14 Indiana shops accuse State Farm Insurance and competitors of extracting “unreasonable and onerous” concessions on vehicle repair costs.
Northern District seeks magistrate for Fort Wayne division
The U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Indiana is now accepting applications for a full-time magistrate judge in the Fort Wayne division. The Judicial Conference of the United States has authorized the appointment.
Bankruptcy court addresses e-filing, weather issues
The United States Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of Indiana has posted notice on its website as to how it will handle situations when the electronic case filing system is unavailable or weather creates access issues for customers.
Judge grants temporary restraining order in same-sex marriage suit
A same-sex couple’s plea that Indiana recognize their marriage was granted Thursday by a federal judge in Evansville, a significant ruling in one of the five separate lawsuits that are challenging the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.
Indy club must pay BMI for DJ’s tunes
A downtown Indianapolis nightclub must pay a tab approaching $20,000 because the club and DJs failed to obtain public-performance licenses after repeated warnings.
Senior status not likely to slow Judge Barker
Attorneys and judges alike say whenever Judge Sarah Evans Barker is on the bench, there is no question who is in charge in that courtroom. This is a judge they universally describe as well-prepared, well-organized and authoritative, but not averse to occasionally introducing a little humor in the proceedings.
Hearing on motion for TRO on marriage statute Thursday
The multiple challenges to Indiana’s ban on same-sex marriage are picking up steam with the federal court scheduling arguments regarding a temporary restraining order and the state filing a motion to dismiss one of the lawsuits.
Same-sex couple’s bid for recognition expedited due to grave illness
The chief federal judge in Indianapolis quickly summoned lawyers to address a same-sex couple’s emergency request that Indiana recognize their Massachusetts marriage because one of the women is gravely ill.
Court upholds Plymouth pay policy challenged by reservist
The city of Plymouth’s policy on longevity pay withstood a challenge by a police officer who unsuccessfully claimed he was entitled to the full benefit rather than a prorated share for time he spent deployed as a U.S. Air Force Reservist.
Judge Sarah Evans Barker to take senior status
After 30 years on the federal bench, Judge Sarah Evans Barker of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has announced her intention to take senior status effective June 30, 2014.
District Court properly handles expert testimony by non-expert witnesses
Although neither witness called to testify in a criminal trial was an expert, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the District Court did not err by barring the testimony of the defense witness while allowing the statements of the government witness.
Rose-Hulman to honor Muncie native serving on federal bench
Federal Judge Robert L. Wilkins will receive an honorary doctorate of engineering degree during the 136th commencement ceremonies on May 31 at Rose-Hulman.
Court won’t seal evidence in Spierer civil suit
Evidence in the federal civil suit against the last people believed to have seen missing Indiana University student Lauren Spierer may not be covered by a broad order shielding exhibits and testimony from public view.
Challenges to Indiana’s same-sex marriage ban piling up in federal court
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana Friday filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, becoming the third such complaint lodged against Indiana in a week.
Federal Bar Update: ND requires e-filing; SD launches hyperlink pilot
Effective Feb. 24, all new complaints and removals in the Northern District of Indiana must be e-filed.
Federal suit filed against Indiana marriage statute
While Indiana’s same-sex marriage amendment is on hold in the Legislature, a challenge to the state’s law banning same-sex marriage was filed March 7 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
7th Circuit affirms denial of motion to suppress search of car
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the denial of an automobile passenger’s motion to suppress evidence found in the car during a traffic stop, which led to his eventual pleading guilty to a heroin offense. The judges found no error by the District judge in crediting the testimony of the police officer who pulled the vehicle over because he believed the speed it was traveling and distance to the car in front of it violated Indiana law.
Mom and pop store can’t proceed pro se in Coach trademark lawsuit
The owners of a southern Indiana general store accused in a federal lawsuit of selling knockoff high-end Coach-brand products may not represent pro se their incorporated general store named in the suit.
No relief in sight for busy Southern District judges
Judges of the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Indiana are among the nation’s busiest. They have been for years, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.