U.S. Senate Judiciary passes bipartisan JUDGES Act co-authored by Young
The JUDGES Act would increase the number of federal district judges in the most overburdened areas of the country, including the Southern District of Indiana.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
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ACLU lawsuit accuses Loogootee of blocking LGBTQ+ pride festival
The lawsuit alleges the southwestern Indiana city initially approved a permit for PrideFest 2024 to take place on Sept. 4 but has since changed the application process for using city property and rescinded its approval.
Porn sites file lawsuit to challenge new Indiana law requiring age verification
The Free Speech Coalition, which represents the adult entertainment industry, joined porn website operators in filing the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis.
The Free Speech Coalition joined porn website operators based in Florida, Cyprus, Czechia and Romania in filing a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis.
Chief Judge Pratt, Indiana Lawyer’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner, cites her father as first great mentor
Judge Pratt said she drew inspiration from a variety of people, but cited her father, the late defense and civil rights attorney Charles A. Walton, as her first great mentor. “I knew very early on I wanted to be like my dad. I wanted to be a lawyer,” she said.
7th Circuit finds care facility not liable for alleged harassment in employment discrimination case
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled a Newburgh-based long-term care facility was not liable for alleged harassment in an employment discrimination case filed on behalf of Black employees.
Ceremony celebrates new Southern District magistrate
A formal investiture ceremony celebrating U.S. Magistrate Judge Crystal Wildeman’s appointment was held last week in Evansville.
7th Circuit hears oral arguments regarding Indiana law prohibiting ‘human sexuality’ instruction in grades K-3
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Friday in a case involving an Indianapolis teacher who is seeking preliminary injunction against a new Indiana law that prohibits instruction on human sexuality in grades K-3.
Anderson man gets 15 years in prison for 2021 bank robbery
An Anderson man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to bank robbery and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
Former Indianapolis-area insurance broker agrees to guilty plea in $4M Ponzi case
Former insurance broker Brian Simms of Lebanon, who was accused of misappropriating nearly $4 million in client funds in a “Ponzi-like” scheme, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Cummins faces shareholder and customer lawsuits after $2B settlement
Cummins Inc. is facing multiple lawsuits from shareholders and Dodge Ram truck owners after the company agreed to pay $2 billion late last year to settle allegations that it unlawfully altered hundreds of thousands of pickup truck engines.
IN Southern District honors court-appointed attorneys with appreciation breakfast
Celebrating for the first time since 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana honored attorneys who have participated in the court’s Pro Bono Program by accepting an appointment in 2023.
Rush to keynote Women’s History Month celebration
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush will keynote this year’s Women’s History Month celebration hosted by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and the Indianapolis Bar Association.
Summary judgment briefing partially stayed in Anderson redistricting dispute
Summary judgment briefing has been partially stayed in an electoral redistricting lawsuit that alleges Anderson’s city council districts violate constitutional and statutory rights.
IN Southern District collects $25M in forfeiture assets, financial litigation debt in FY23
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana collected more than $25 million in asset forfeiture and financial litigation debt in fiscal year 2023.
Contingency-fee forfeiture prosecutions not unconstitutional, federal judge rules
Indiana’s practice of allowing private prosecutors to collect a contingency fee on forfeiture proceeds is not a violation of due process, a federal judge has ruled.
Judge rejects plea deal by former Muncie police officer, who will now stand trial for 3rd time
A federal judge rejected a plea agreement Wednesday for a former Muncie police officer accused of trying to cover up another officer’s use of excessive force, setting the stage for his third trial in the case.
Inmate placed in disciplinary segregation for 2 years loses summary judgment appeal
An inmate alleging his constitutional rights were violated in a prison disciplinary process that put him in segregation for two years has failed to find relief at the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Class certification granted in challenge to law banning gender-transition procedures for minors
Plaintiffs challenging Indiana’s 2023 law banning gender-transition procedures for minors have been granted class certification.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana to host 25th Black History Month event
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana will be hosting its 25th annual Black History Month event next month.
7th Circuit remands product liability complaint to get jurisdictional clarity on Samsung’s ties to Indiana
There were insufficient facts to determine whether personal jurisdiction existed over Samsung SDI in a product liability lawsuit where one of the company’s batteries allegedly exploded in a minor’s pocket, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.