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.
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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.
Cold beer sales hearing begins Thursday
A federal judge in Indianapolis Thursday will consider a group of convenience and grocery stores’ challenges to the state law prohibiting those businesses from selling cold beer.
Southern District testing inclusion of links in documents
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana announced this week that it is beginning a pilot program that will let the court and attorneys include active hyperlinks within e-filed and court-issued documents.
James Dean estate sues Twitter over ‘@JamesDean’
The estate of legendary Indiana film star James Dean has sued Twitter, claiming the Internet giant permitted the unauthorized personal Twitter account @JamesDean.
Biomet settles hip-replacement litigation
The most serious cases from among more than 950 patients around the nation who claim they were harmed by a Warsaw company’s implanted hip-replacement devices will share in a settlement expected to exceed $100 million, according to an attorney involved in the case.
21st Amendment again shut out of federal cold-beer suit
A federal judge Thursday affirmed a ruling that the Indianapolis-based 21st Amendment package liquor store chain is not entitled to intervene in a federal lawsuit challenging Indiana’s law prohibiting convenience and grocery stores from selling cold beer.
Performance of desegregation, busing case to celebrate Black History Month
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana will host a dramatic interpretation performance of the Indianapolis Public Schools’ historic desegregation and busing case as part of February’s Black History Month Celebration.
Court finds interview is not a violation of professional conduct rules
A federal magistrate in Hammond has ruled there were no violations of the Indiana Professional Rules of Conduct when defense counsel interviewed a potential witness in preparation for trial after discovery had closed.
Southern District courts delay opening Wednesday
All locations of the United States District Court, Bankruptcy Court and Probation Office for the Southern District of Indiana will delay opening until noon local time. The delayed schedule is due to the winter storm approaching Indiana Tuesday evening.
Civil case filing now all electronic in Northern District
Beginning Monday, all new civil cases filed by counsel will be filed electronically in CM/ECF, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana has announced. Electronic filing will become mandatory as of Feb. 24.
Bankruptcy Court seeks comment on local rule changes
The public has until Jan. 31 to comment on proposed amendments to local rules in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of Indiana. Local Rules that have been amended include B-1007-2, Noticing, Balloting and Claims Agents and B-9010-1, Appearances.