7th Circuit Court of Appeals hears oral arguments in Bloomington
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals traveled to Bloomington last week to hear six oral arguments in cases ranging from abortion access to strip searches
Judge Frank H. Easterbrook
Articles
7th Circuit upholds preliminary injunctions ordering 2 schools to allow trans kids to use gender-affirming bathrooms
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals declined to reverse preliminary injunctions against two school districts, upholding orders for the districts to allow transgender students to use the boys’ bathrooms.
7th Circuit allows student’s civil rights claims against Hammond officer following ride-along
A student who claimed her constitutional rights were violated when she was allegedly sexually assaulted and harassed on a police ride-along can bring a claim against a Hammond police officer, but not the city’s chief of police.
Suspected drug dealer who used alias to rent condo wins reversal at 7th Circuit
Although he had used an alias to hide from law enforcement and rent a condo, law enforcement did not have the right to search a suspected drug dealer’s residence with only his landlord’s consent, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.
7th Circuit revives bankruptcy collections dispute, overturns little-used ‘transfer’ precedent
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has revived a bankruptcy collections dispute, remanding the case to resolve a trustee’s petition to recover funds paid to a creditor. In doing so, the appellate court overturned a 39-year-old precedent.
7th Circuit orders East Chicago to restore firefighters’ schedule, but judge warns of infringement on democracy
In a dispute between the mayor of East Chicago and the local firefighters union that opposes him, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed that the city violated the firefighters’ First Amendment rights.
Exasperated 7th Circuit reverses block on Indiana’s fetal disposition law
In an outright reversal, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Indiana’s law requiring fetal remains to be buried or cremated and chastised the Indiana Southern District Court for blocking the statute in the first place.
7th Circuit affirms for ex-officer in fatal shooting of South Bend Black man
The family of a Black South Bend man who was fatally shot by a now-resigned white police officer found no relief from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals after it concluded that the officer gave the man “a chance to live” before shooting.
7th Circuit rules partially for defendant, officers, city in police-impersonation case
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed, reversed and vacated multiple partial summary judgment awards for a man who was cleared of impersonating police and who later sued the officers who arrested him.
Split 7th Circuit allows racial housing-discrimination claims to proceed against individuals but not Kokomo HOA
A Black couple subjected to racist harassment from their neighbors may proceed to jury with their racial housing discrimination claims, a split 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled. A dissenting judge, however, argued that a nexus between discriminatory treatment and an adverse housing action was lacking in their claims.
In affirming dismissal of Roncalli discrimination lawsuit, Easterbrook advises starting with statute
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has again sided with the Archdiocese of Indianapolis in an employment discrimination lawsuit filed by Lynn Starkey, a Roncalli High School guidance counselor who was fired for being in a same-sex marriage.
Indiana denied fees in foster care litigation
In denying Indiana’s request for an award of costs for successfully defending a lawsuit that had challenged the state’s foster care system, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals highlighted the appellate procedure rule that limits who can be held responsible for reimbursements.
Judge’s reliance on paraphrase leads to overturned sentence
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned the enhanced sentence of an Indiana man, ruling the enhancement did not apply because the gun he possessed was not the one used in the commission of the crime.
7th Circuit orders stay of injunction on Indiana abortion laws
An injunction against several provisions of Indiana law that tighten access to abortions was stayed Wednesday by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. A dissenting judge, however, blasted the majority’s position and state laws that “piously purport to protect women’s health” while “chip(ping) away” at longstanding abortion precedent.
7th Circuit affirms former Goshen factory not posing danger to residents
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a federal judge’s ruling that a former factory in Goshen is not posing any ongoing dangers to the health of residents in the area.
Divided 7th Circuit reverses for Indiana over ‘abortion complications’ reporting statute
An Indiana statute requiring medical providers to report to the state complications “arising from” abortions is not unconstitutionally vague on its face, a split 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a Monday reversal. A dissenting judge, however, would uphold the injunction against the “incomprehensible” law.
7th Circuit: Child with ADHD, other conditions not entitled to disability benefits
A Hoosier child with several intellectual limitations is not considered disabled and therefore doesn’t qualify to receive benefits from the Social Security Administration, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.
7th Circuit: Higher tolls on Indiana Toll Road not discriminatory
Truckers were unable to swerve around the higher fees charged on the Indiana Toll Road after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked their argument that the increased rates violated the Commerce Clause. The appellate court upheld dismissal of the lawsuit.
7th Circuit: State courts, not federal, should rule on counsel for kids in CHINS cases
The question of whether children in CHINS proceedings should be appointed counsel is best left for state court resolution, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled, finding no “civil Gideon” principle requiring counsel in child welfare cases.
7th Circuit affirms dismissal of debt collection challenge for lack of injury
Though an Indiana woman defeated a debt collector’s claim for arbitration, her lawsuit challenging the creditor’s debt collection practices lacks standing, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed, dismissing the case that previously had been remanded to the Southern District.