Indiana report says abortions dropped 5% in state last year
The number of abortions performed in Indiana fell by about 5% last year, according to a new state health department report.
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Articles
SCOTUS denies cert petition against South Bend abortion clinic
U.S. Supreme Court justices rejected a third Indiana abortion case on Thursday, refusing to hear a petition filed against an embattled South Bend abortion clinic that was permitted by a federal judge to open last summer.
SCOTUS remands 2 Indiana abortion cases, won’t hear ‘buffer zone’ challenges
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday remanded to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals two lawsuits challenging Indiana laws restricting abortions, leaving undisturbed for now lower court rulings striking down state laws that would have required stricter ultrasound measures and parental notification for mature minors.
7th Circuit rejects convicted killer’s habeas petition over uncommunicated plea deal
A convicted killer lost his appeal in a federal habeas case in which he claimed he was entitled to relief from a 65-year prison sentence because his lawyer failed to convey a plea deal before he was convicted after a second trial.
Judgment against widow in late husband’s workplace injury suit upheld
The widow of a man who sued his employer after a fall at a construction site failed to convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that a federal district court ruled for her late husband’s employer.
7th Circuit finds judge misapplied prison rule without explanation
A judge who overturned prison discipline for an inmate who wrote an unauthorized check to a fellow inmate’s family member left a panel of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals puzzled in a brief reversal Monday.
New and improved PACER system unveiled
The electronic PACER federal court records system is sporting a new look and improved functions as part of its first major upgrade in a decade. New features are touted as enabling users to more easily navigate the system, more quickly find what they are seeking, and get better access on their mobile devices. The upgrade also is designed to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.
7th Circuit halts deportation of crime victim, allows immigration judges to close cases
An Indianapolis man who came to the United States as a child and subsequently qualified for a limited visa as a victim of crime who cooperated with law enforcement was wrongly ordered deported, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday. The decision also rejected caselaw that limited immigration judges’ ability to administratively close cases when warranted.
Legal malpractice claim was far beyond statute of limitations, 7th Circuit affirms
A woman who filed a legal malpractice claim in a matter that began more than 20 years ago failed to convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that her complaint over the distribution of a trust was timely.
COA dismisses long-running suit from deaf litigant denied sign interpreter
A deaf man’s lawsuit that challenged the denial of a request for a sign language interpreter in a court-ordered family law modest means mediation was dismissed on appeal Friday.
Insurer owes no coverage in $50M Elkhart damages ruling, 7th Circuit affirms
A federal court ruling in favor of the insurer of a wood processing facility in Elkhart that was the subject of years of environmental litigation brought by neighbors was affirmed Thursday. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals held Westfield Insurance owed no duty to cover its insured against an environmental damages award of more than $50 million.
7th Circuit: Ineffective attorneys argument in fraud case deserves a hearing
After the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the district court’s denial of his motion to vacate his sentence, an Indiana man will have the chance to present his argument that if he had not followed the advice of his “constitutionally ineffective” lawyers and turned down a plea offer, his sentence would have been significantly less than the 92 months he received. One of the lawyers he accuses is now a magistrate judge.
Indiana Court Decisions – June 4–17, 2020
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
7th Circuit rejects sentence appeal as ‘way short of due diligence’
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the denial of a man’s claim that he is entitled to resentencing, concluding that his request was much too late.
7th Circuit orders resentencing in career offender’s bank robbery, carjacking
A man convicted of armed robbery will again have his sentence reconsidered after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found a district court failed to sufficiently justify why it deviated from his sentencing guideline range by more than 37 years.
7th Circuit removes East Chicago lead pollution case to federal court
Companies sued by residents who claim their former housing complex in East Chicago was polluted by toxins including lead and arsenic prevailed in their bid to have the case heard in federal rather than state court. In doing so, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals also eased the standard for when a defendant may assert a defense of acting under federal authority.
7th Circuit upholds life sentence for man in Kentucky, Indiana drug conspiracy
A man sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in a large narcotics conspiracy stemming from Louisville, Kentucky did not persuade the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse his conviction and sentence.
7th Circuit halts COVID-19 release for man convicted in IU student’s murder
The man convicted in the 2000 murder of Indiana University student Jill Behrman must stay in prison while his habeas case is on appeal, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in a decision vacating a release order issued less than two weeks ago.
7th Circuit affirms judgment for collection agency in class-action suit
A district court properly ruled for a debt collector in a class-action suit that sought damages for allegedly misleading letters sent to consumers, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.
Indiana Court Decisions — May 20-June 3, 2020
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.