Applicants sought for Northern District Bankruptcy Court
Applications are being accepted through Aug. 10 for a pending vacancy in the bankruptcy court for the Northern District of Indiana in South Bend.
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Kokomo men sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking ring involvement
Two Indiana men will spend decades in federal prison after being sentenced for their role in a large drug trafficking ring operating in Kokomo, United States Attorney Josh Minkler announced Friday.
Judge blocks US agents from arresting observers in Portland
A federal judge specifically blocked U.S. agents from arresting or using physical force against journalists and legal observers at protests in Oregon’s largest city where President Donald Trump is testing the limits of federal power.
Southern District hosts first naturalization ceremony since March
Nearly 90 people took an oath to become an American citizen on Thursday morning, becoming the first group to participate in a naturalization ceremony hosted by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana since the onset of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
AG Hill’s accusers file state complaint, 7th Circuit appeal over alleged groping
Following two dismissals from the Indiana Southern District Court, the four women who have accused Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill of sexual misconduct are taking their claims for battery, defamation and invasion of privacy to state court.
Judge frees ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen from prison
A judge ordered the release from prison of President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer on Thursday, saying he believes the government retaliated against him for planning to release a book about Trump before November’s election.
Judge hears Oregon request to restrain federal agents
A federal judge heard arguments Wednesday on Oregon’s request for a restraining order against federal agents sent to Portland to attempt to quell protests that have spiraled into nightly clashes between authorities and demonstrators.
Scams and schemes rising with spread of coronavirus
Schemes to con people out of their stimulus checks, to get money for face masks that are never delivered and to get payments for bogus COVID-19 treatments or cures have surged. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission has a special coronavirus page on its website devoted to advising consumers on how to identify real contact tracers and to ignore offers for home test kits.
US executes 3 in first federal death sentences since 2003
The federal government last week carried out its first executions in almost two decades after the US Supreme Court in separate 5-4 rulings turned away last-minute appeals from two condemned inmates’ legal teams. Their executions, and that of a third defendant, were carried out by lethal injection at the federal prison in Terre Haute.
Maley: Pro bono appointments are necessary obligation for justice
I’m still processing the news that this morning my court-appointed death-row client, Wesley Purkey, was executed. I was his pro bono counsel on three civil-rights/conditions of confinement claims in the Southern District of Indiana. So as I wrestle now — and hopefully for some time — with the legal and moral aspects of capital punishment that otherwise have been remote, it seems appropriate and timely to discuss the needs and opportunities for pro bono service in civil cases in our local federal courts. Both are robust.
‘Men’s rights’ lawyer eyed in shooting of federal judge’s family
A self-described “anti-feminist” lawyer found dead in the Catskills of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound is considered the prime suspect in the shooting of a federal judge’s family in New Jersey, the FBI said Monday.
Son of US District Judge Esther Salas killed, husband shot
A gunman shot and killed the 20-year-old son of a federal judge as he answered the door of the family home Sunday in New Jersey and shot and wounded the judge’s husband before fleeing, according to judiciary officials.
Split COA affirms for Hamilton Co. Convention Center owner in defamation case
Judgment for the Hamilton County Convention Center’s owner was upheld by a divided appeals panel Thursday in a former employee’s defamation suit. It’s the latest chapter in a long-running litigation saga involving cross-claims of unpaid wages and employee theft.
NCAA loses appeal seeking insurance against student-athletes’ suit
The Indianapolis-based NCAA cannot rely on insurance coverage in a lawsuit brought by student athletes seeking upwards of $1 billion based on antitrust claims challenging caps on compensation for football and basketball players.
Insurers sue Indianapolis Archdiocese over sexual misconduct policy
Insurance underwriters have sued the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis, claiming it failed to disclose allegations against a suspended priest on its application for a sexual misconduct liability policy.
Judge halts execution amid claims inmate isn’t mentally fit
A judge on Wednesday halted the execution of a man said to be suffering from dementia, who had been set to die by lethal injection at the federal prison in Terre Haute in the federal government’s second execution after a 17-year hiatus.
Tax fraud sentence affirmed for man who sought ‘legacy trust’ IRS refunds
A man who repeatedly sought six-figure tax refunds from the IRS based on sovereign-citizen-style claims lost his appeal of a three-year sentence and an order that he repay nearly $150,000.
Judge seeks more details on Trump’s clemency for Roger Stone
A federal judge on Monday demanded more information about President Donald Trump’s decision to commute the prison sentence of longtime ally Roger Stone.
Court strikes Indiana ‘abortion complications’ reporting law
A federal judge has struck down another Indiana abortion law as unconstitutional, continuing a years-long streak of court action against Hoosier abortion legislation. However, the state also secured a victory when the same judge upheld a requirement that abortion clinics be inspected annually.
SCOTUS: Congress can’t get Trump records, but Manhattan DA can
The Supreme Court of the United States on Thursday upheld the Manhattan district attorney’s demand for President Donald Trump’s tax returns, but kept a hold on Trump’s financial records that Congress has been seeking for more than a year.