Lawsuit challenging forfeiture survives attempt to moot
Marion County has failed in its attempt to derail a lawsuit over the state’s civil forfeiture statute by giving the property back to the named plaintiff.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
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Southern District celebrates pro bono attorneys
After enacting a rule allowing judges to assign pro bono cases to attorneys who frequently practice in federal court, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana is celebrating a “banner year” for pro bono service.
Southern District gets caseload help from Wisconsin
A declared judicial emergency caused by a vacancy on the bench of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has sparked a first-of-its kind partnership between the Southern District and its counterpart in the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Southern District to ‘borrow’ judges to ease judicial emergency
Two Wisconsin district court judges will begin lending their services to the Hoosier state Wednesday as part of a pilot partnership designed to ease the caseloads of the judges of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, consistently ranked among the 10 busiest federal district courts.
Black History Month CLE features relationship between Madam CJ Walker, her attorney
As Sarah Breedlove – better known to the public as Madam C.J. Walker, one of the nation’s first female, black, self-made millionaires – built up her line of haircare products at her Indianapolis factory in the early 20th century, there was always one person by her side to ensure that the I’s of her business were dotted and the T’s were crossed – her attorney, Freeman B. Ransom.
Federal judge denies declaratory judgment to former Supreme Court employee
A district court judge has officially denied declaratory judgment to a former Indiana Supreme Court employee alleging disability discrimination on the part of state judicial leaders.
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.
Court denies motions attacking jury verdict for worker in wage suit
A federal judge Thursday rejected motions for judgment in its favor or a new trial by employers who lost a jury trial over unpaid wages to a Terre Haute worker.
Federal courts offering free CLE for Black History Month
The federal courts and other agencies in the Southern District of Indiana are offering a free CLE this month honoring an Indiana legend as part of their annual Black History Month event.
Judge rules for Teamsters, notes plaintiff’s gambling bills
The owner of a defunct trucking business who sued an Indianapolis Teamsters local alleging interference with business relationships lost her case, and a judge used his order to point out that money withdrawn from the company’s bank account for gambling sprees occurred at the same time the union alleged its health benefits went unpaid.
District court declines to stop Supreme Court disciplinary hearing
A federal judge has declined to intervene in an Indiana Supreme Court disciplinary proceeding against a northern Indiana attorney who claims he is being discriminated against in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Birth certificate battle headed to 7th Circuit
Indiana’s battle over who can be listed on a birth certificate is headed for another round with the state filing an appeal of a federal court’s ruling that allows non-birth mothers to be listed on their children’s birth certificates.
Barker rules ballot photo ban unconstitutional
An Indiana law prohibiting voters from taking photos of their ballots for personal use is an unconstitutional violation of First Amendment rights, a district court judge has decided.
BLE members dismissed from suit challenging notice, bar exam constitutionality
A federal judge has declined to hear a recent law school graduate’s case against the members of the Indiana Board of Law Examiners, citing precedent that requires federal courts to abstain to from hearing certain ongoing state proceedings. But the judge did require the state to respond to the plaintiff’s claims that portions of the bar exam are unconstitutional.
Judge denies injunction to block VA’s Crown Hill project
A federal judge on Friday shot down a legal effort by environmentalists to block development of a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs cemetery on 15 wooded acres north of Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.
Southern Indiana courts see rise in heroin, meth sentences
Recently released court statistics show a growing percentage of prisoners sentenced for federal drug crimes in southern Indiana are heroin offenders.
Indianapolis, billboard company reach court agreement over digital signs
Billboard company GEFT Outdoor LLC and the city of Indianapolis have agreed to a court settlement that will allow the company to operate two local digital billboards while sparing the city any financial liability for a former sign ordinance that was found to be unconstitutional.
IU fraternity chapter suspended after hazing problems
The governing body of Delta Tau Delta has suspended the charter for the fraternity's chapter at Indiana University Bloomington following problems with hazing. The fraternity also faces a lawsuit alleging sexual assault.
Magistrate recommends dismissal of woman’s dog-mauling suit
Despite “horrendous injuries” incurred as a result of “a grievous lack of discretion” by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers, a district court magistrate recommends an Indianapolis woman’s federal claim against IMPD and the city of Indianapolis be dismissed because she did not state a legitimate constitutional claim.
Judge blocks Indiana’s attempt to limit birth certificate ruling
Indiana’s motion to alter the judgment allowing both females in a same-sex marriage to be listed on their child’s birth certificate was met with a sharp caution from the bench about re-litigating or attempting to limit the court’s order.