Memorable moments from the 7th Circuit Bar Association and Judicial Conference of the 7th Circuit
Here are some highlights from the recent 7th Circuit Bar and Judicial Conference in Indianapolis.
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Articles
Lugar: I paid the price for support of Obama picks
Former Indiana Sen. Richard G. Lugar told members of the federal judiciary May 6 that his support of President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court appointees, opposed by many in his party, may have carried the greatest political cost of any decisions during his 36 years in the Senate.
Easterbrook: 7th Circuit ‘nation’s leader’ in productivity
Chief Judge Frank Easterbrook of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals presented his final State of the Circuit address during the Circuit conference this month in Indianapolis, describing the federal appellate court for Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin as perhaps the nation’s most industrious.
Lengthy gun sentence affirmed in 2011 hotel standoff
A federal prison sentence of more than 33 years was upheld Monday for a career criminal convicted of leading police on a chase, assaulting an officer until he lost consciousness and staging an armed, four-hour standoff at an Indianapolis hotel in August 2011.
7th Circuit orders resentencing, muses ‘wine speaks truth’ in felon gun case
An Elkhart felon’s defense that he was drunk at the time he told police that guns they confiscated from his girlfriend’s apartment belonged to him failed to sway the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which did find another error and order him to be resentenced.
Man’s prior conviction doesn’t render him a career offender
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the denial of a man’s habeas petition, finding his conviction of arson in the third degree in Delaware doesn’t qualify as a crime of violence under U.S.S.G. Section 4B.1. As such, his current sentence should be reduced to reflect he isn’t a career offender.
7th Circuit rejects claim that FMLA should be extended to non-eligible employees
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for a transportation company on a fired worker’s claims that her termination violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act. The judges didn’t agree with the woman that FMLA protection should extend to non-eligible employees who request leave for future periods.
7th Circuit: ‘Ransom demand’ requires third-party involvement
In order to enhance a criminal sentence on the basis of a ransom demand, that demand must be conveyed to a third-party, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals held Wednesday.
Chief Justice Roberts says budget cuts translate into judicial furlough and layoffs
Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts used part of his address to the 7th Circuit to highlight the fiscal constraints judges and courts are facing today.
7th Circuit reaffirms drug conviction over claims of ineffective counsel
A man convicted of federal drug charges failed to convince a panel of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that his conviction should be vacated due to ineffective assistance of counsel. The court affirmed a conviction from the District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.
Lugar: Votes for Obama Supreme Court nominees carried heavy cost
Former Indiana Sen. Richard G. Lugar told members of the federal judiciary Monday that his support of President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court appointees, opposed by many in his party, may have carried the greatest political cost of any decisions during his 36 years in the Senate.
Bankruptcy filings drop in Indiana, U.S.
Bankruptcy filings are down 14.4 percent for the 12-month period ending March 31 as compared to the same 12-month period ending March 31, 2012, according to statistics from the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
7th Circuit denies petitions seeking review of mine safety regulations
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Friday found that the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration acted within its statutory and constitutional authority in demanding review of employee medical records to ensure mines were not under-reporting injuries or illnesses.
7th Circuit rules for employer on fired worker’s claims
An Italian-born naturalized U.S. citizen who sued his former employer for religious discrimination and defamation after he was fired could not prove his claims before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
SCOTUS declines review of injunction against Medicaid cap on dental work
The Supreme Court of the United States will leave undisturbed a ruling that blocked state efforts to cap dental work for Medicaid recipients at $1,000 per year.
7th Circuit declines to overturn ruling on excessive force
A man who entered a conditional plea on drug charges couldn’t convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday that it should overturn a ruling that the use of excessive force during an arrest is not a basis for suppressing evidence.
GE did not discriminate against employee
A longtime employee at the Bloomington General Electric Co. plant could not prove to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that the company discriminated against her because of a disability and retaliated against her when she filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Judges affirm AUL Insurance owed no fiduciary duty to 401(k) plan
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of an insurance company on a 401(k) plan trustee’s lawsuit that the insurance company’s revenue-sharing practices breached a fiduciary duty under the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
7th Circuit affirms men’s drug convictions
In a consolidated appeal brought by two men convicted on charges stemming from a heroin conspiracy, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed their convictions. Ronald Zitt, who went to trial, argued he was entitled to a mistrial. Joshua Wampler pleaded guilty but argued he should be allowed to appeal.
Trial court needs to take another look at alibi defense
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the denial of a man’s petition for habeas corpus and ordered the District Court to take another look at the defense counsel’s alibi defense investigation.