Indiana Court Decisions
Read opinions from Indiana’s appellate courts for the most recent reporting period.
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Articles
Letter to the editor: Posner’s pro se comments troubling
If what retired Judge Richard Posner is saying is true, then we have a very serious problem in the 7th Circuit warranting the attention of the U.S. Department of Justice as these judges are violating the civil rights of the pro se litigants who are constitutionally entitled to their day in court.
Robbery convictions upheld despite failure to swear potential jurors
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a man’s robbery-related convictions despite the district court’s initial failure to administer an oath of truthfulness to potential jurors, finding such an oath is not explicitly required.
Topless woman’s complaint splits 7th Circuit
A Chicago woman’s decision to celebrate “Go Topless Day” by baring her breasts has cleaved the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals over whether she can now cloak herself in the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of speech.
Barrett to join 7th Circuit Friday
Amy Coney Barrett will be sworn in Friday as the newest judge on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. The Notre Dame Law School professor will be the first judge to join the Chicago appellate court since Judge David Hamilton filled the other Indiana seat in November 2009.
Court upholds Indianapolis Land Bank fraud convictions
Two men convicted in an elaborate fraud scheme involving the Indianapolis Land Bank have lost their federal appeal, with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling Friday there was sufficient evidence to support their multiple fraud convictions.
Woman’s health care fraud, ID misuse convictions upheld
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a woman’s convictions for health care fraud and misusing an identity. The panel determined the district court properly handed down indictments and admitted evidence to allow the government to prove the woman was involved in a plan to defraud Indiana’s Medicaid program.
Barrett confirmation highlights fierce fight over judiciary
The controversy surrounding Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals did not end with the Senate’s confirmation vote Oct. 31.
Notre Dame’s Barrett confirmed to 7th Circuit
The U.S. Senate confirmed Notre Dame law professor Amy Coney Barrett to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals today on a 55-to-43 vote.
Young, Donnelly support confirmation of Barrett to 7th Circuit
Notre Dame law professor Amy Coney Barrett is expected to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate either today or early tomorrow morning to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals with the support of both Indiana senators.
DOC sex offender program faces Fifth Amendment test
The question of whether Indiana’s treatment program for convicted sex offenders is constitutional is not only providing a case of first impression for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals but could also give the U.S. Supreme Court the opportunity to clear the confusion over when a prison violates an inmate’s Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.
7th Circuit denies relief for man who killed stepmom at 17
A 17-year-old whose jailhouse confession to his mother that he killed his stepmother was secretly recorded by detectives, who testified about the incriminating statement at his trial, lost his federal habeas appeal Monday after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld his sentence.
Child porn convictions upheld against former daycare worker
A daycare worker convicted of taking sexually explicit photos of a 4-year-old girl in his care will remain in prison after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals declined to throw out his convictions on the grounds of impermissible evidence or jury instructions.
7th Circuit: Insurance company had no duty to defend, indemnify bank
A Mississippi-based bank that was sued for charging excessive overdraft fees was not entitled to coverage under its insurance policy because the policy specifically excluded claims arising from fees or charges, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.
Anderson appeals $850,000 verdict to fired city workers
The city of Anderson is appealing a federal judge's ruling that it must pay about $850,000 to eight people who were fired from their jobs when a new mayor took office in 2012.
Ex-attorney Conour may get new day in court after 7th Circuit argument
Ex-Indianapolis attorney and convicted fraudster William Conour may have yet another day in court, nearly four years after he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for stealing $6 million from three dozen clients and more than 18 months after he was resentenced to the same term.
Judicial committee narrowly approves 7th Circuit nominee Barrett
The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary voted along party lines Thursday to approve Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Senate confirms Minkler; committee advances Kirsch, delays vote on Barrett
The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary approved by voice vote five nominees for U.S. attorney, including the nominee for the Northern District of Indiana, Thursday. The full Senate on a voice vote also confirmed Josh Minkler as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.
Suspended special needs trust attorney, foundation’s legal woes continue
A suspended Indianapolis attorney charged with stealing from his clients’ special needs trusts remained at the center of a case argued Wednesday before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. Kenneth Shane Service crafted trust documents now in dispute that he has said he intended to be confusing, argued attorneys in a case involving the nonprofit foundation Service established.