Settlement reached on foster care rates
The Indiana Department of Child Services has agreed not to cut subsidies for foster and adoptive parents and other caregivers as part of a class-action settlement in federal court.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
Articles
7th Circuit affirms attorney’s fees award under Lanham Act
Finding a plaintiff’s actions frivolous, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals today has affirmed a District Court’s grant of attorney’s fees to a company that successfully defended itself after selling lamps to the plaintiff home health care provider. The 7th Circuit also granted the defendant’s motion for fees and costs pursuant to Rule 38 of the appellate rules.
Lawyer sentenced on child porn case
Anderson attorney Samuel Hasler, who pled guilty to a pair of child pornography charges, has received a 151-month sentence, meaning he’ll spend more than 12 years behind bars and then face a lifetime of supervised release.
Federal magistrate’s robing ceremony Friday
United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana Magistrate Judge Debra McVicker Lynch's investiture ceremony will be at 3 p.m. Jan. 16 in Courtroom 216 in the Birch Bayh Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 46 E. Ohio St., Indianapolis.
DOC violated religious rights in denying kosher meals
A federal judge has found the Indiana Department of Correction was wrong to stop serving kosher meals to those whose religious practices required them to eat the specially prepared meals.
Dozens apply for new federal magistrate spot
More than 40 attorneys have applied for a new magistrate spot in the Southern District of Indiana, the first new position since the 1980s.
Southern District seeks comment on rule changes
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has proposed several amendments to its Local Rules involving discovery disputes, class action suits, appearances, and sentencing.
Court History Symposium set for Nov. 18
The third annual “Court History Symposium: Court History and History in the Making” CLE will feature remarks from Southern District judges as the court enters a new era.
Federal courthouse to celebrate new, old murals
An event Friday at the Birch Bayh Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Indianapolis will celebrate the recent installation of new murals on the third floor of the building as well as recognize the 75th anniversary of murals on that floor.
Courthouse renovations close courtrooms, move chambers
Because of major renovations under way at the Birch Bayh Federal Courthouse in Indianapolis, the locations of judges’ chambers have changed and courtrooms have closed.
Attorney sues condo developer over accessibility
A resident of the 3Mass condo development who uses an electric wheelchair is suing the developers for failing to provide handicap accessibility to a rooftop terrace overlooking downtown Indianapolis.
7th Circuit orders lower court to consider a minor participant reduction
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a man’s lengthy sentence for transporting drug money because the District Court needs to determine whether the man should receive a minor participant reduction since he only transported money one time.
7th Circuit finds for energy plant
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals today reversed a decision out of Indiana regarding a claim by the Environmental Protection Agency that Cinergy Corp. was wrong to modify its coal-burning plants without first obtaining a permit from the EPA.
Applications for new magistrate accepted
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana is accepting applications for a new magistrate position recently approved by the Judicial Conference.
Judge Pratt makes history
Judge Tanya Walton Pratt becomes the first African-American federal jurist in Indiana.
Suit filed following inmate’s suicide
A father whose son committed suicide while in a southern Indiana jail has filed a lawsuit against the county and its sheriff.
Judge: Girls’ basketball games schedule not discriminatory
A federal judge has ruled that 14 school corporations haven’t discriminated against girls’ basketball teams by scheduling more of their games on weeknights instead of weekends as compared to boys’ basketball games.
Judge Pratt to be officially sworn in Friday
The state’s first African-American federal judge will be formally sworn in Friday afternoon at the United States Courthouse in Indianapolis.
7th Circuit upholds injunction in adult-business ordinance case
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with a Southern District of Indiana judge who granted a preliminary injunction preventing Indianapolis from enforcing the 2002 ordinance that regulates adult-bookstore business hours.
Indiana gets new federal magistrate
For the first time since the early 1980s, the Southern District of Indiana has gotten approval to hire a new full-time federal magistrate. The U.S. Judicial Conference, which is the policy-making arm of the federal court system, approved during its annual fall meeting on Tuesday the Indianapolis-based magistrate spot along with three others throughout the country.