Indiana legislative session enters its final day
Indiana lawmakers entered the final day of the annual legislative session with a substantial amount of work left to do and a midnight deadline to get it done by.
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Articles
Indiana Legislature taking pass on steps wooing Amazon
Indiana lawmakers are poised to wrap up this year’s legislative session without taking action to boost the chances of Indianapolis luring Amazon’s second headquarters and its tempting promise of 50,000 high-paying jobs.
ACLU of Indiana sues county over ‘not my mayor’ sign
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana has filed a lawsuit against Randolph County after a Winchester resident was ordered to remove a sign from her yard expressing opposition of an elected official in her city.
ACLU report: Debtors’ prisons no longer relic of Dickensian past
Hoosiers who bounce a check, fall behind in rent, or owe even a few dollars can find themselves arrested and thrown in jail, according to a new report by the American Civil Liberties Union released this week that examines the rise of debtor’s prison in the United States.
Judge certifies class in Hepatitis C case against DOC
A district court judge has certified a class action against the Indiana Department of Correction and various medical providers, alleging the defendants fail to provide adequate treatment for the class members’ Hepatitis C diagnoses.
U.S. Supreme Court rules against prisoner in lawyer fee case
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling will mean that prisoners who win civil rights lawsuits against their jailers will generally be handing over more of their winnings to their lawyers.
Indiana legislative session at halftime: what lives or died
Indiana lawmakers have reached halftime in this year’s legislative session, which has been marked more by plans deferred and legislation killed than major accomplishments.
ACLU: Indiana prison violated blind inmate’s rights
The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the Indiana Department of Correction, alleging that prison officials are discriminating against a blind former inmate by refusing to let him participate in a literacy program to get his sentence reduced.
Suit from truck driver shot by Merrillville police proceeds
The town of Merrillville and one of its police officers lost their bid for summary judgment on a truck driver’s excessive force claim after a district court judge determined questions of fact exist as to whether the officer was justified in shooting the driver during an altercation.
Hill joins 10-state amicus brief in defense of police officers
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has joined a 10-state amicus brief in a U.S. Supreme Court case he said could make police officers’ jobs more difficult.
Ex-trooper Camm’s $30 million lawsuit dismissed
A $30 million lawsuit brought by former Indiana State Police trooper David Camm was dismissed Monday by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in New Albany. Camm was twice convicted, but ultimately found not guilty of the murder of his wife and children in a third trial.
Hate crime bill dies in Senate committee
Hate crime legislation has again failed in the Indiana Statehouse after Senate Republicans could not reach a consensus on what the bill should include.
Senate panel to take up hate crimes bill — again
An Indiana Senate committee will take up a bill targeting hate crimes — again.
Human rights fellowship open to ND law students
University of Notre Dame Law School is encouraging first- and second-year law students to apply for a summer fellowship from the law school’s Center for Civil and Human Rights.
Indiana delegation seeks federal designation for Kennedy-King Park
Indiana legislators on Capitol Hill have filed companion bills that would give national recognition to the site where Robert F. Kennedy consoled and calmed an Indianapolis crowd after the assassination of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
Marion County to expand early voting, switch to vote centers in 2019
Voters in Marion County will have more options starting with the 2019 elections due to long-debated changes approved Wednesday that expand early voting and create vote centers in the county.
7th Circuit: Suit against Evansville, Kentucky police may proceed
A federal complaint alleging coercion, constitutional violations and falsification at the hands of Evansville and Kentucky police officers investigating a murder will continue after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals determined qualified immunity was not appropriate for certain claims against the officers.
IMPD excessive force claim proceeds to trial
The City of Indianapolis has lost its summary judgment argument on an excessive force claim after a district court judge determined genuine issues of material fact exist as to whether the city’s policies led two police officers to use excessive force against a veteran.
Coalition denounces proposed ICE detention center in Elkhart
Opponents are stepping up efforts to stop a proposed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in northern Indiana ahead of a county rezoning decision.
Advocates: Indiana’s prosperity depends on hate crime law
Emphasizing the economic as well as social benefits of hate crime laws, an energic and diverse crowd rallied inside the Indiana Statehouse Tuesday in support of two bills that would add penalties for crimes motivated by bias.