Indiana Court Decisions – April 26-May 9, 2018
Read Indiana appellate decisions from the most recent reporting period.
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Articles
7th Circuit affirms judgment against rejected firefighter
A man who sued the Indianapolis Fire Department alleging he was not hired as a firefighter as retaliation for his father’s lawsuit against the department lost his appeal of a ruling against him Thursday.
Court reverses doctor’s $1M defamation award against CVS
An Indianapolis doctor awarded $1.025 million in defamation damages against CVS after a federal jury trial lost it all Thursday when the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the decision. The panel ordered a new trial on greatly reduced claims for damages.
Wisconsin nominee confirmed to 7th Circuit seat after party-line vote
With a slim vote along party lines, the U.S. Senate confirmed Michael Brennan to the Wisconsin seat on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday, filling the longest vacancy in the federal judiciary.
7th Circuit prohibits sex offender from voting at local high school
In a decision handed down one day before Indiana’s 2018 primary election, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found a rational relationship between an Indiana statute prohibiting sex offenders from entering school property and the state’s interest in protecting children. The court ruled the state does not violate a convicted sex offender’s voting rights by prohibiting him from voting at a polling place located in a high school, and instead requiring him to vote via one of three alternatives.
7th Circuit rejects Hustler Hollywood’s zoning denial appeal
An adult entertainment business cannot set up shop at its desired Indianapolis location after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a city ordinance that prohibits such businesses from operating in certain zoning districts.
District court ordered to reopen drug felon’s life sentence
A convicted drug felon whose previous New Mexico convictions were vacated has successfully appealed an Indiana district court’s decision not to reopen his federal life sentence, with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling his sentencing challenge was based on the notion that his New Mexico convictions no longer exist.
7th Circuit grants review to Indiana immigrant’s torture case
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered the Board of Immigration Appeals to re-examine a Honduras native’s case against his forced removal to his home country, finding the board did not adequately consider the man’s evidence of the threat of gang violence against him if he were returned home.
7th Circuit orders appointment of counsel for Arizona inmate
The Indiana Southern District Court must appoint counsel for an Arizona inmate suing two Indiana prison doctors after a circuit court panel found the lower court erred in determining the inmate was competent to litigate his own case.
Indiana Court decisions – April 12-25, 2018
Read Indiana appellate decisions from the most recent reporting period.
7th Circuit affirms denial of disability benefits
A man who was has been trying for more than 11 years to obtain Social Security disability benefits failed to convince a panel of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that he was wrongly denied benefits.
ACLU, Planned Parenthood sue over abortion complications reporting law
Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky is once again challenging an Indiana abortion law it says is “a cruel intimidation tactic,” this time taking aim at a 2018 piece of legislation that was signed into law less than a month ago.
Justices to weigh how right to publicity affects fantasy sports
The Indiana Supreme Court has agreed to consider how Indiana’s right-to-publicity statute affects the fantasy sports industry in order to provide guidance to a fantasy football case pending in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
7th Circuit strikes Indiana’s abortion law
In a split 2-1 decision, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Indiana’s abortion ban, which prohibited a woman from terminating her pregnancy because of the gender, race or disability of the fetus.
7th Circuit sides with sanctuary cities in fight over grants
The federal government cannot withhold public safety grants from cities that refuse to cooperate with President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday.
7th Circuit nominees get bipartisan support in committee vote
With 21-to-0 vote, Judge Amy St. Eve and Michael Scudder, the nominees for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, were approved Thursday by the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Their nominations now proceed to the Senate for a confirmation vote at date to be determined.
St. Eve and Scudder to face Judiciary Committee vote
The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary will consider the final nominees for the open seats on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday. Judge Amy St. Eve of the Northern Illinois District Court and Michael Scudder, partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, are on the agenda and, based on their committee hearing, do not appear to be facing any stiff opposition.
Indiana Court Decisions — March 29-April 11, 2018
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
7th Circuit nominees set for committee vote
The nominations of Michael Scudder, Jr., and Judge Amy St. Eve, the Illinois nominees for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, are scheduled for a vote by the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary on Thursday. If approved by the committee, the pair will go on to the full Senate for a confirmation vote.
7th Circuit upholds judgment for bank in insurance funds dispute
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld judgment in favor of U.S. Bank in a complaint under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act after finding the plaintiff failed to show how the bank’s allegedly inadequate response to a letter inquiring about insurance funds contributed to her legal injuries.