Wildeman sworn in as magistrate judge in Southern District
Crystal Wildeman was sworn in as magistrate judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana at a private ceremony, the court announced Friday.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
Articles
Police nonprofit’s ‘untested, bespoke theory of liability’ falls short in defamation appeal at 7th Circuit
A nonprofit that purports to help police departments failed to convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that newspaper articles questioning its legitimacy were defamatory, with the appellate court affirming a lower court’s decision.
Magnus-Stinson assuming senior status next summer
Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson confirmed Friday she will assume senior status on July 1, 2024. President Joe Biden has not yet publicly announced his nominee to succeed her.
Ballot access issues surviving court challenges ahead of 2024 elections: Minor parties, absentee voting at issue
Election-related lawsuits have challenged Indiana laws as they relate to ballot access for both candidates and voters. Decisions in those cases handed down in recent months have been mostly favorable to existing Indiana law.
Maley: Changes to Indiana Southern District local rules
Effective July 1, the Southern District of Indiana made minor amendments to Local Rules 5-11 (sealed filings); Local Rule 6-1 (extensions of time); Local Rule 37-1 (discovery disputes); Local Rule 81-1 (removal); and Local Rule 83-5 (admission).
ACLU of Indiana sues DOC, alleging constitutional violations for not providing gender-affirming surgery
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana has filed a lawsuit against the Indiana Department of Correction, claiming the DOC won’t provide gender-affirming surgery for an incarcerated transgender woman.
State asks 7th Circuit to vacate injunction on law banning gender transitions for minors
The state has filed an appellant brief with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals and is requesting that the court vacate a district court injunction that preliminarily enjoined a law that would have banned gender transition procedures for Indiana minors.
Above-guidelines sentence is appropriate, 7th Circuit affirms
A man’s above-guidelines sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm was not inappropriate given his criminal history, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.
DCS employees win summary judgment on 4th Amendment claim after children were removed, killed in fire
A federal judge has dismissed a Fourth Amendment unreasonable seizure claim filed against four Department of Child Services employees who were sued after five children were removed from their adoptive parents and were subsequently killed in a house fire.
IndyBar: Federal Practice in the Southern District of Indiana
IndyBar is hosting a full-day CLE exploring all aspects of federal practice in the Southern District. More on that later, but first a few tips.
Judge upholds petition requirement for independent, minor-party ballot access in Indiana
Indiana’s requirement for political independents and minor-party candidates to obtain ballot access via petition — a process estimated to cost roughly $500,000 — is not unconstitutional, a federal judge has ruled.
Indianapolis man gets more than 6 years in prison for possessing firearm as previously convicted felon
An Indianapolis man has been sentenced to six years and five months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana announced Monday.
Indianapolis teacher appeals denial of injunction against law prohibiting ‘human sexuality’ instruction in grades K-3
An Indianapolis teacher has filed an appeal to overturn a federal judge’s denial of her motion for a preliminary injunction against a new Indiana law that prohibits instruction on human sexuality in grades K-3.
HBCU student-athlete sues NCAA for discrimination in assessment of academic performance
A women’s basketball player at Grambling State University in Louisiana is accusing the Indianapolis-based NCAA of discriminating against historically Black colleges and universities in a federal lawsuit filed Aug. 4.
7th Circuit affirms ruling for tech company in employment fraud case
A woman who sued her ex-employer for fraud after her position was eliminated the day she started work cannot add a new fraud claim to her amended complaint, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed.
Federal judge dismisses most claims in lawsuit stemming from sewage leak
A federal judge has granted most of a property owners association’s motions for judgment and dismissed with prejudice multiple damage-related claims in a civil lawsuit stemming from a 2015 sewage leak caused by a faulty lift station.
7th Circuit upholds convictions, sentences in scheme to defraud SBA
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the convictions and sentences for five people who took part in a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration, with the exception of a clerical error in a supervised release condition for one of the defendants.
Hospital employee loses appeal of summary judgment for ex-employer over denied COVID mask accommodations
A hospital director who claimed she couldn’t wear a mask to work during COVID due to her anxiety failed to convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that her discrimination and retaliation claims against her former employer should be revived.
Bail Project loses appeal of denied preliminary injunction against ‘charitable bail’ law
A split 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a district court’s denial of The Bail Project’s motion for a preliminary injunction against a law that puts limits on whom charitable bail organizations can bail out of jail.
7th Circuit upholds preliminary injunctions ordering 2 schools to allow trans kids to use gender-affirming bathrooms
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals declined to reverse preliminary injunctions against two school districts, upholding orders for the districts to allow transgender students to use the boys’ bathrooms.