Defendants found guilty on all charges in Banc-Serv fraud trial
A jury has delivered guilty verdicts on all charges against the former officers and employees of a now-defunct financial services firm in Westfield.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
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Former Muncie officer pleads guilty to concealing ‘inappropriate use of force’
A former Muncie police officer is facing up to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty Wednesday to intentionally concealing a fellow officer’s inappropriate use of force.
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.
Southern, Northern District Courts reinstate mask, social distancing mandates despite vaccination status
Just two months after lifting the requirement, the Southern Indiana District Court is imposing restrictions mandating all individuals must again wear masks and social distance in public spaces in the district’s courthouses, regardless of their vaccination status, Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt announced in a Monday order.
Sentence affirmed for drug distributor in guideline calculation dispute
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a man’s 23-year sentence for his drug and firearms convictions despite his assertion that the district court erred by including both uncharged and acquitted drug amounts in his guideline calculation.
Fraud trial begins for five former directors, employees at Westfield financial firm
A federal fraud trial involving several former officers and employees of a now-defunct financial services firm in Westfield began on Monday.
New restrictions on electronic devices coming to Southern Indiana District courts
Citizens will have to turn off and secure their electronic devices before entering any of the federal courthouses in the Southern District of Indiana starting Aug. 2, Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt has announced.
Federal court properly abstained from franchise fees fight between Indiana cities, streaming platforms
The Southern Indiana District court is in the clear after it abstained from a lawsuit filed by several Indiana cities against popular streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in a Wednesday decision found the district court acted properly in removing itself from the fight.
7th Circuit denies third attempt of death penalty relief, notes questions raised about federal ‘savings clause’
An incarcerated man waiting on federal death row has for the third time unsuccessfully sought relief from his capital punishment, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled. This time, it rejected his argument under the “savings clause” that recent changes in clinical diagnostic standards show that he is intellectually disabled and ineligible for the death penalty.
Ex-transpo company worker may proceed with suit against employer, 7th Circuit rules
A former employee of a transportation company who sued under the Fair Labor Standards Act will be allowed to move forward with her individual claims after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled she was entitled to do so. However, it declined to address the complexities of her failed collective action.
Kentucky inmate wins sentencing relief from Indiana court
A Kentucky inmate has been granted sentencing relief after the Indiana Southern District Court determined that his prior Illinois residential burglary conviction does not qualify as a violent felony under the Armed Career Criminal Act.
Ex-music teacher who refused to follow Brownsburg Schools’ transgender name policy loses on religious discrimination claims
A former Brownsburg music teacher who resigned after refusing to abide by a school policy on how to address transgender students has lost his bid for partial summary judge on his religious discrimination claims against the school district.
National, state wiretaps see decreases during 2020
Federal and state judges reported a combined 26% decrease in authorized wiretaps in 2020, according to court statistics released last week. Convictions stemming from cases involving electronic surveillance also decreased significantly.
Southern District again offering training on representing domestic violence victims
Lawyers interested in receiving training on modest means and pro bono representation of domestic violence victims will be offered a virtual training session hosted by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in August.
Federal judge blocks ‘abortion reversal’ disclosure requirement
A federal judge has blocked a new Indiana law that would have required abortion providers to inform patients about the possibility of “reversing” a medication abortion. The Wednesday ruling prevents House Enrolled Act 1577 from taking effect tomorrow as scheduled.
7th Circuit upholds competency finding in ‘zig-zag’ weapons case
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a finding that a defendant facing a weapons charge was competent to stand trial despite defense counsel’s insistence to the contrary.
Franklin mayor sued for blocking resident on Facebook after BLM video
The mayor of Franklin has been sued by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana after he allegedly blocked an individual from accessing his Facebook page.
Geologist loses second wrongful-termination lawsuit against INDOT
A geologist who tried to detour around the summary judgment granted to the Indiana Department of Transportation in his wrongful-termination lawsuit was blocked by 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which found he was trying to take a road he had already traveled.
New rules on Social Security appeals, sealed cases to take effect in Southern District next week
New rules regarding Social Security appeals and sealed cases will take effect next week in the Indiana Southern District Court.
Racial diversity lacking: No minorities in decade of appointments to IN benches
Although the next Court of Appeals judge has not been selected, the three candidates nominated ensure Indiana will continue its 9-year streak of judicial appointments that do not include a person of color.