Indiana Court Decisions – Jan. 14-27, 2021
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Articles
7th Circuit extinguishes fraudster-arsonist’s appeal
A convicted insurance fraudster whose M.O. was arson has lost his appeal of his mail fraud convictions, with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals rejecting his argument that evidence of arson was improperly admitted at his fraud trial.
Fired neonatal doctor loses age discrimination appeal against St. Vincent’s
A veteran neonatal doctor who claimed she was discriminated against when she was terminated from her longtime position did not prove that she was unlawfully terminated and passed over for a new position based on her age, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals held Friday, upholding summary judgment for St. Vincent Hospital.
7th Circuit affirms dismissal of debt collection challenge for lack of injury
Though an Indiana woman defeated a debt collector’s claim for arbitration, her lawsuit challenging the creditor’s debt collection practices lacks standing, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed, dismissing the case that previously had been remanded to the Southern District.
7th Circuit grants petition for review in Indiana immigration case
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled for a man fighting his deportation in a case concerning immigration judges’ power to close a removal or deportation case administratively while a noncitizen pursues other relief.
FBI: Suspect targeted Indiana 7th Circuit Judge Hamilton, Rep. Carson
An Alabama man arrested near the U.S. Capitol after the rioting had a truckload of weapons, including components for 11 explosive devices, guns, smoke devices and machetes, along with a note containing information about an Indiana federal appellate judge and member of Congress from Indianapolis, prosecutors wrote in court documents Tuesday.
Supreme Court rejects fast track for Trump election cases
The United States Supreme Court formally refused Monday to put on a fast track multiple election challenges filed by President Donald Trump and his allies, including one filed by an Indianapolis law firm.
Inmate scheduled for Friday execution loses 7th Circuit appeal
A federal prisoner scheduled to be executed Friday at the United States Penitentiary in Terre Haute has failed to secure habeas relief from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Sex offender names ordered removed for ‘right to travel’ violation
Six men required to register as sex offenders after moving to Indiana can have their names removed from the sex offender registry, the 7th Circuit has held, finding that the state’s registration law discriminates between offenders who have consistently lived in Indiana and those who more recently moved into the state. A dissenting judge, however, disagreed with the majority’s holding that the registration law burdens the plaintiffs’ right to travel.
Disability benefits denial again remanded after ALJ issues ‘inconsistent’ ruling
A woman twice denied disability benefits despite evidence of serious mental disabilities causing limitations on her ability to work will get a third chance to make her case for benefits.
Nursing home patient, family seek to enforce rights as to care
A case pending before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals brought on behalf of a northwest Indiana man suffering from dementia asks whether a patient in a long-term care facility can enforce rights under the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act.
Woman denied higher starting salary ‘because’ husband had a job wins reversal in pay discrimination case
A Muncie teacher who sued her employer after being told that her starting salary didn’t need to be higher because her husband had a job has secured a reversal in her favor on her pay discrimination claims.
7th Circuit: Injured worker not qualified individual under ADA
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a ruling that a woman fired from her job after a spinal injury was not a qualified individual under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Indy Trump lawyer asks SCOTUS to toss Wisconsin vote
An Indianapolis attorney representing President Donald Trump has asked the United States Supreme Court to overturn the results of the Wisconsin election that Trump lost to President-elect Joe Biden by more than 20,000 votes.
7th Circuit rejects ‘aging out’ of crime argument in gun sentence appeal
A man convicted of possessing a firearm as a felon who alleged he was “aging out” of crime did not convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday that his above-guidelines sentence should be reversed.
Money laundering conviction, sentence vacated in federal drug bust
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated a man’s conviction and sentence for conspiracy to launder money for his involvement in a cross-country drug organization linked to the Sinaloa drug cartel that made its way to Avon, Indiana.
Trump’s impact on courts likely to last long beyond his term
On this, even President Donald Trump’s most fevered critics agree: He has left a deep imprint on the federal courts that will outlast his one term in office for decades to come.
Indy firm behind Trump Wisconsin election challenge weighs SCOTUS bid
With little more than a week before a joint session of Congress will formally count votes of the Electoral College that President-elect Joe Biden won by a 306-232 margin, President Donald Trump continues to bend the ear of an Indianapolis attorney who unsuccessfully argued to overturn Wisconsin’s election results.
Lawsuit challenges Indiana laws on disposal of fetal remains
An Indianapolis abortion clinic is suing the state of Indiana, challenging provisions of a state law upheld last year by the U.S. Supreme Court requiring fetal remains to be buried or cremated after an abortion.
7th Circuit: Appellate waiver precludes Nigerian national’s appeal despite immigration risks
An appellate waiver in a plea agreement has resulted in the dismissal of an appeal from a Nigerian national who pleaded guilty to defrauding the U.S. government out of millions. The dismissal comes as the man now faces deportation due to his crimes.