‘Death doula’ wins preliminary injunction while case challenging Indiana funeral laws proceeds
An Indiana “death doula” can continue to discuss end-of-life care with her clients while her lawsuit challenging the state’s funeral laws proceeds.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
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IN Northern District warns residents about phone scam involving fake law enforcement
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana is warning residents about what it calls a common and reoccurring nationwide telephone scam currently circulating in the district.
Firearm conviction, criminal contempt upheld for defendant who proceeded pro se
A defendant who unsuccessfully defended himself in federal court and who was found in criminal contempt for refusing to answer a prosecutor’s question did not find any relief from his firearm conviction or the contempt finding at the 7th Circuit.
IN Northern District Magistrate Judge Gotsch announces retirement in August 2024
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael G. Gotsch has notified Indiana Northern District Chief Judge Holly Brady of his intent to retire in August 2024.
Northern District nominees Brisco, Lund make 1st appearance in front of Senate Judiciary Committee
A pair of northern Indiana trial court judges made their first appearances before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, as they look to fill judicial vacancies on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.
ALJ properly analyzed ‘enough’ factors to support disability benefits denial, 7th Circuit rules
While an administrative law judge might have erred in his analysis of some factors in rejecting a woman’s disability benefits application, “enough” of his analysis supported his ruling, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in affirming the benefits denial.
Fees increasing at federal courts
Fee increases took effect today in both the Indiana Northern and Southern District courts.
Court dismisses Title IX lawsuit against Huntington University, officials over doping, sexual assault allegations against ex-running coach
In a case that came down to “who knew what and when they knew it,” a federal judge has dismissed the Title IX lawsuit filed against Huntington University and various school officials by former student-athletes who say they were doped and sexually assaulted.
Former Gary police officer sentenced to year in prison for violating handcuffed man’s civil rights
A former Gary police officer was sentenced Wednesday to a year in federal prison after pleading guilty to violating a handcuffed man’s civil rights by using excessive force while arresting him.
Brisco, Lund nominated to IN Northern District Court
St. Joseph Superior Judge Cristal C. Brisco and Elkhart Superior Judge Gretchen S. Lund were nominated to the federal bench in a Wednesday announcement from the White House.
Benched basketball player denied injunction against coach for ‘slight, speculative’ harms
A federal judge has denied a benched girls basketball player’s request for a preliminary injunction against her coach and school district, determining the teen’s alleged harms are “slight, speculative, and economic.”
Judge denies motion to dismiss complaint brought by employee whose wife’s insurance was canceled just before cancer surgery
A man’s complaint against his employer after insurance coverage for his child and wife, who has breast cancer, was canceled can proceed with his claim after a federal judge denied the company’s motion to dismiss.
School district, ex-wrestling coach who slapped student win summary judgment in federal court
A former high school wrestling coach who slapped a student and the school district he worked for have won summary judgment in federal court on claims filed by the student and her mother.
Former Elkhart police officer gets 1 year for civil rights violations
A former officer with the Elkhart Police Department was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for his role in assaulting a handcuffed detainee, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday.
IN Northern District posts opening to fill potential Kolar magistrate vacancy
With Indiana Northern District Magistrate Judge Joshua Kolar awaiting a confirmation vote from the U.S. Senate to fill a vacancy on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, the district court is preparing to fill the anticipated magistrate judge vacancy.
DCS employees sued in federal court in continued fallout from child death case
Two Indiana Department of Child Services case workers and a former director in LaPorte County are facing a federal lawsuit over a 4-year-old who was tortured and killed by his parents, the most recent development in the legal fallout from the child’s death.
Distributor made ‘commercially reasonable’ efforts to sell products, 7th Circuit affirms
A group of medical device firm shareholders failed to show that a distributor didn’t make a reasonable effort to sell their products, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Thursday.
IN Northern District, 7th Circuit still waiting for vacancies to be filled: Magnus-Stinson announcement means IN Southern District will also soon have an opening
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson has announced she will be assuming senior status in July 2024. That means the Biden administration will need to fill another federal judicial vacancy in Indiana.
Kolar fields 1st questions from Senate Judiciary Committee as 7th Circuit nominee
The nominee to fill an Indiana vacancy on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals faced some challenging questions on Capitol Hill on Wednesday as he took a first step toward possible confirmation by the full U.S. Senate.
Federal magistrate denies recusal motion in Purdue Title IX lawsuit
A federal magistrate judge in the Indiana Northern District Court has denied a motion to recuse brought by a male student at Purdue University who was expelled after the school determined he had sexually assaulted a female student.