Bankruptcy filings fall again in 2021, holding off expected ‘wave’
Bankruptcy filings fell again in 2021, dropping 24% nationwide, according to newly released data from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
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St. Vincent wants judge to order investigators to cooperate in case of fired physician
St. Vincent Medical Group wants to know more about why and when the federal government began investigating a Carmel doctor it fired in 2020, and has asked a federal judge to order the Department of Justice help it get to the bottom of the matter.
7th Circuit affirms, reverses on ‘bona fide error’ defense in consolidated debt suits
Two Indiana women who disputed debts they allegedly owed to debt-collection companies received conflicting results from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in a consolidated Wednesday decision.
7th Circuit upholds life sentence for Hoosier man in child sex crimes case
A life sentence has been upheld against an Indiana man convicted of a dozen crimes related to his production and possession of child pornography.
Courts announce closures in advance of winter storm
The winter storm predicted to dump several inches of snow on Indiana is disrupting courts around the Hoosier State, causing cancellations of some proceedings and closing courthouses.
Maley: Insights from the Indiana federal bench
At the annual federal civil practice seminar held in December, federal judges and staff offered practical insights and information.
Purdue faces off against European chip maker over two patents
One of Europe’s largest chip makers wants a federal judge to order Purdue Research Foundation to turn over documents concerning two patents that are the focus of a different lawsuit.
Lynch retiring from Southern Indiana District Court
Magistrate Judge Debra McVicker Lynch of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana will retire on Oct. 31 after more than 13 years of service to the federal judiciary, the court announced Monday.
7th Circuit overturns summary judgment, gives inmate another chance to litigate grievance
An inmate who was not given the necessary paperwork to file a grievance will get to litigate his Eighth Amendment complaint in federal court after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals issued the reminder that administrative remedies provided to prisoners must be “available in fact and not merely in form.”
Criminal case against former Celadon execs headed for court
More than two years after they were indicted on multiple fraud charges, two former Celadon Group Inc. executives are soon to have their day in court — if the pandemic allows it.
Escape Room locations sue SBA after missing out on pandemic relief funds
The Escape Room USA locations in Fishers and Indianapolis are suing the U.S. Small Business Administration, hoping to be recognized as live entertainment venues that qualify for pandemic relief funds.
Grand jury indicts suspect in Terre Haute officer’s slaying
A federal grand jury indicted an Indiana man Wednesday on charges that would make him eligible for the death penalty if he’s convicted in the fatal shooting of a Terre Haute police detective and FBI task force officer.
McMillian to speak at Southern District’s Black History Month program
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has announced local attorney Jimmie McMillian will be the speaker at its 23rd annual Black History Month event.
Southern District denies prisoner’s compassionate release request prompted by COVID-19 concerns
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana denied Thursday a prisoner’s request for compassionate release based on a fear of contracting COVID-19, finding no extraordinary and compelling reasons to reduce his sentence.
7th Circuit affirms sentence, prompts withdrawal of ineffective counsel claim in pharmacy robbery
An Indianapolis man who at 17 robbed a pharmacy then shot and killed one of his accomplices will have to serve his 19-year sentence after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found the district court was allowed to consider the acquitted charge of murder when calculating the sentence.
‘Global assault’ on Indiana abortion laws goes to skeptical 7th Circuit
The so-called “global assault” on Indiana’s abortion regulation scheme was back in court on Wednesday, with the state urging the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to keep in place a stay of an injunction against several Indiana abortion provisions put in place over the summer. But at least one member of the appellate court seemed hesitant to render a decision given a high-profile abortion case pending at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Noblesville student suing for discrimination loses argument that Barker has ‘personal animus’ toward pro-life views
A Noblesville high school student alleging her school discriminated against her when it prohibited her from running a pro-life student group has lost her bid to transfer the case away from Senior Judge Sarah Evans Barker based on allegations of the judge’s “personal animus” toward pro-life views.
Lawsuit challenging constitutionality of Indiana’s age limit on absentee voting proceeding in IN Southern District
Of the three lawsuits filed in 2020 challenging Indiana’s voting laws, one remains on the Southern Indiana District Court’s docket, with plaintiffs now seeking summary judgment to enable any eligible Hoosier, regardless of age, to cast an absentee ballot.
State prevails against fired DCS supervisor, but 14th Amendment claim will proceed
A former Indiana Department of Child Services supervisor who alleged he was fired in retaliation for complaints he made about race and sex discrimination will not be able to proceed with his complaint after a federal judge granted summary judgment to the state. However, one 14th Amendment claim survived the ruling.
7th Circuit upholds denial of motion to suppress gun evidence
The denial of a man’s motion to suppress evidence of a gun that resulted in his firearm conviction will stand, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday.