Capp praised for work in U.S. Attorney’s Office
David Capp, who stepped down as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana over the weekend, is being remembered as a lawyer’s lawyer who was loyal and had a clear sense of right and wrong.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
Articles
District court again rules against Concord Schools on ‘Christmas Spectacular’
A district court judge has once again entered judgment against a northern Indiana school district after finding it has not made “absolutely clear” that it will permanently nix overtly religious content from its annual Christmas program.
Applications being sought for federal judicial, US Attorney vacancies
Indiana Sen. Todd Young is taking applications for several vacancies in federal court as well as U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal positions.
Pot-legalization group wins injunction against Tippecanoe County rally ban
A group advocating the legalization of marijuana that was denied permission to hold a rally at the courthouse in Lafayette won an injunction against the county in federal court.
Lake County sheriff’s official pleads guilty to wire fraud
The second-in-command at the Lake County Sheriff’s Department pleaded guilty to wire fraud Friday in a bribery case in which the sheriff and a tow truck operator also are charged.
RV plant-closing lawsuit proceeds
Workers at a northern Indiana recreational vehicle plant that closed in June may proceed with a lawsuit alleging company management failed to notify workers about the closing as federal law requires.
Lake County sheriff, Portage mayor charged in towing-bribe schemes
Lake County Sheriff and county Democratic Party Chairman John Buncich and Portage Mayor James Snyder have been indicted on public corruption and bribery charges handed down by a grand jury.
District court fees to increase Dec. 1
Several fees included on the U.S. District Court’s Miscellaneous Fee Schedule will soon increase after the Judicial Conference approved fee changes at its September 2016 session.
Suspended lawyer ‘cannot take no for an answer,’ must pay sanctions
A suspended Gary lawyer continues to pursue cases that federal judges have ruled frivolous, and a judge in Hammond this week rejected his claim that he couldn’t afford to pay a $500 sanction imposed in one of the cases.
Judge limits expert testimony in Simon antitrust suit
Expert witnesses for Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group and a competing shopping center developer will be barred from testifying on certain subjects in an antitrust lawsuit against Simon, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.
City of Elkhart, Martinsville police facing lawsuits after deleting Facebook posts
After preventing local residents from commenting on their official Facebook pages, the city of Elkhart and the Martinsville Police Department are being sued for alleged violations of citizens’ First Amendment rights.
Judge: East Chicago Housing Authority must stop warrantless home searches
The city of East Chicago and its housing authority have been ordered to stop what the ACLU of Indiana is calling “warrantless, nonconsensual entry” into residents’ homes after a district court ruled that doing so violated Fourth Amendment protections against unlawful search and seizure.
Historic trial re-enactment documentary seeks extras
If you’ve ever dreamed of appearing on the silver screen, the Historical Society of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has an opportunity for you.
Judge denies state bid to reduce $31 million award against DCS
A federal judge Friday rejected the state of Indiana’s motion to reduce a jury’s $31 million award last year against Department of Child Services workers and a state police officer for the wrongful removal of a couple’s children and prosecution of their parents.
Former Lake Station mayor, wife sentenced in gambling scheme
The former mayor of Lake Station will serve four years in prison and pay tens of thousands of dollars in fines for using campaign money and city food pantry funds to gamble.
Residents of contaminated Indiana complex sue city officials
Residents forced to move out of a northwest Indiana public housing complex because of high levels of lead in the soil are suing city officials and the companies they say are responsible.
Judge: Elkhart school’s Christmas program didn’t violate law
A U.S. District Court judge has ruled that an Elkhart high school's Christmas program last year didn't violate constitutional prohibitions against the endorsement of religion by public entities.
Insurance fight prolongs Hartford City junk yard’s pollution
Five years of court battles haven't resolved the blame game between a western Indiana junk yard and one of the nation's largest insurance companies over water pollution.
Fired Elkhart city attorney files federal suit against mayor
A female Elkhart city attorney who claims the newly elected mayor fired her because he “wanted my own guy” has filed a federal lawsuit alleging her First Amendment rights were violated. She also claims age discrimination and violation of the Equal Pay Act.
South Bend family questions $18 award for police abuse
The family of a black teenager who was punched and handcuffed by three South Bend police officers then subdued with a stun gun in a case of mistaken identity is questioning why jurors awarded them just $18 in a lawsuit accusing the officers of violating his constitutional rights.