District Courts - The Indiana Lawyer

Blind Hoosiers claim Indiana failing to provide access to benefits programs

August 6, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

Claiming “systemic violations of the civil rights of blind Indiana residents,” two individuals and the National Federation of the Blind filed a complaint in federal court Tuesday against the directors of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration and the Indiana Division of Family Resources. The plaintiffs assert the defendants failed to provide printed communications about government benefits in alternative formats, such as Braille, and instead directed the blind individuals to have sighted third parties read the materials to them.

Northern District offering domestic violence representation CLE

August 6, 2019 | IL Staff

Attorneys interested in representing victims of domestic violence in court can learn about providing pro bono civil assistance during a continuing legal education program offered by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.

District Court: IPS must face teacher’s age discrimination claims

August 5, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

A former Indianapolis Public Schools teacher’s age discrimination claims will proceed against her former employer after a district court judge determined that a factfinder could conclude that IPS failed to hire her because of her age.

Louisiana lawsuit: Forced bar association dues are unconstitutional

August 5, 2019 | Associated Press

A lawsuit filed against Louisiana’s Supreme Court and the Louisiana State Bar Association says attorneys in the state are unconstitutionally forced to join the association and pay dues. The federal lawsuit says the mandatory bar association membership violates attorneys’ freedom of speech and association rights.

Authorities make arrests in Indiana gun shop burglary

August 1, 2019 | Associated Press

Authorities say they’ve arrested suspects after 33 handguns and rifles were stolen from a central Indiana gun shop in a matter of minutes.

After SCOTUS ruling, 7th Circuit reaffirms ‘crime of violence’ vague

July 31, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

The 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals will stick with its initial decision to vacate and remand two men’s sentences after the United States Supreme Court concluded that the definition of “crime of violence” in 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(3)(B) was unconstitutionally vague.

Southern District warns of scam using court’s telephone number

July 31, 2019 | Associated Press and IL Staff

Federal court officials in Indianapolis are warning that scammers are using the court’s main phone number to scam and intimidate people.

Hobart man accused of posting Trump threats pleads guilty

July 31, 2019 | Associated Press

A northwestern Indiana man has pleaded guilty to making threats against President Donald Trump on Facebook.

Charlestown zoo owner must keep big cats during animal-rights case

July 29, 2019 | Olivia Covington

A federal judge is doubling down on an animal-rights ruling that prohibits the owners of a southern Indiana zoo from moving its large cats out of its possession, though the judge stopped short of issuing sanctions for an alleged failure to follow that order.

Ex-Covance worker’s retaliation lawsuit reinstated

July 29, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

The 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals has reinstated a man’s lawsuit alleging his former employer refused to hire him permanently in retaliation of prior discriminatory complaints he filed.

Federal courts report bankruptcies continue to decline

July 26, 2019 | IL Staff

Continuing a trend of recent years, bankruptcies nationwide declined for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2019, U.S. Courts reported. Overall personal bankruptcies declined slightly, though business filings increased for just the third time this decade. Indiana’s Southern District bankruptcy numbers, however, told a different tale.

Inspector general fights AG Hill’s subpoena in discipline case

July 26, 2019 | IL Staff

As the disciplinary action against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill proceeds, a key player in the investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Hill is claiming her records from the investigation are privileged.

Five federal death row inmates face executions beginning this year

July 26, 2019

After the Justice Department announced Thursday that it will resume executing death row prisoners for the first time in nearly two decades, five inmates are facing potential execution dates at the high-security U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute.

Bankruptcy Judge Lorch stepping down (again) after 27 years

July 25, 2019 | IL Staff

Retiring Judge Basil H. Lorch III of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana will be honored in a private ceremony Friday for his 27 years of service in the federal judiciary.

Woman who bought gun used to kill deputy sent to prison

July 24, 2019

A 13-month prison sentence was handed an Indianapolis woman who purchased the handgun used to kill a Boone County sheriff’s deputy in March 2018.

Damon Leichty takes ‘quiet confidence’ to federal judiciary

July 24, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

The U.S. Senate approved Damon Leichty on an 85-10 vote, sending the South Bend Barnes & Thornburgh partner to fill the last vacancy in Indiana’s federal judiciary and making him the fourth judge confirmed to Indiana’s federal bench since last August.

‘Factually inaccurate’ disability denial over migraines remanded

July 22, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

A northern Indiana woman may find some relief after the Northern District Court reversed and remanded the denial of her appeal for supplemental security income.

Alleged drug ring leader’s trial moved to Evansville

July 22, 2019 | Associated Press

Richard Grundy III and four co-defendants first stood trial July 8 in Indianapolis on federal drug trafficking charges, but a mistrial was declared July 10 after a court order concerning jurors’ personal information was violated. Court documents show Grundy will now stand trial July 29 at the U.S. district court in Evansville.

Duke Energy sued for 2014 coal ash spill environmental harm

July 19, 2019

The federal, North Carolina and Virginia governments asked a court Thursday to declare the country’s largest electricity company liable for environmental damage from a leak five years ago that left miles of a river shared by the two states coated in hazardous coal ash.

2nd man sentenced in fatal southern Indiana gun shop robbery

July 19, 2019

An Indianapolis man has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for his role in the robbery and fatal shooting of a southern Indiana gun shop owner. A judge ordered the sentence Thursday after 24-year-old Darion Harris pleaded guilty.

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