Southern District proposes amended discipline rules
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana is seeking public comment on a proposed amendment that would completely reframe its current discipline enforcement rules.
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Hoosier among 4 convicted in dogfighting operation
Four men, including one from Fort Wayne, have been convicted in Trenton, New Jersey, for their roles in an illegal multistate dogfighting operation.
First-ever child porn suspect on FBI list pleads guilty
The first-ever child pornography suspect named to the FBI’s Most Wanted list had Indiana ties and once had been the keyboardist for Hoosier rocker John Mellencamp.
New lawyers reminded of civility, service and family at admission ceremony
Emphasizing civility and community service, Indiana state and federal judges along with other members of the legal profession welcomed nearly 300 new attorneys to the practice of law Tuesday as part of the Indiana Supreme Court Admission Ceremony.
Firms cite 1851 law in Missouri boat accident, seek mediation
Two companies facing multiple lawsuits over a summer tourist boat accident in Missouri that killed 17 people have invoked an 1851 law that allows vessel owners to try to avoid or limit legal damages as they also seek settlement negotiations with victims’ family members. But Tia Coleman, an Indianapolis woman who survived the accident, and lawyers for others whose family members died denounced the filing as callous and insulting.
Attorney-photographer loses suit against IPAC director
A McCordsville attorney and hobbyist photographer who has sued dozens of people for the alleged infringement of his photo of the Indianapolis skyline has lost key rulings in the most recent order in his various cases.
Hanlon confirmed to Southern Indiana District Court
James Patrick “J.P.” Hanlon was confirmed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana by the U.S. Senate Thursday evening in a voice vote. The partner at Faegre Baker Daniels was nominated by President Donald Trump and will fill the vacancy created when Judge William Lawrence took senior status in July.
15 charged in statewide corruption investigations
Federal and state charges announced by United States Attorney Josh Minkler on Thursday cap a statewide roundup that found 15 individuals accused of misappropriating more than $1 million in public funds.
7th Circuit affirms withheld attorney fees in disability cases
Attorneys who successfully represented two clients seeking Social Security disability benefits won’t get paid, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled, because their indigent clients owed debts to the federal treasury.
Judge details actions needed to improve Vigo jail
A federal judge says officials in Vigo County must take specific steps to improve conditions at the jail in Terre Haute or the court will step in to force changes.
Elkhart police K-9 excessive force case to continue
An Elkhart police officer accused of using excessive force when he deployed a K-9 officer on a suspect lying in a cornfield has lost his bid for summary judgment and qualified immunity in federal court.
State’s request for stay rebuffed in voter registration case
An attempt by the state of Indiana to squash discovery into its practice of maintaining voter rolls has been stopped by the Southern Indiana District Court, which pointed out to both parties that it has “extremely broad discretion in controlling discovery.” Judge Tanya Walton Pratt issued the order Friday in Common Cause Indiana v. Connie Lawson, et al., denying the state’s request to stay proceedings and discovery while the case is on interlocutory appeal.
Indiana gets more anti-violent crime funding
Nearly $657,000 has been allocated to the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana this year to continue efforts to reduce violent crime in the state and nationwide.
Judge blocks US immigration order, says Trump ‘harbors animus’
A judge on Wednesday blocked the Trump administration from ending protections that allowed immigrants from four countries to live and work legally in the United States, saying the move would cause “irreparable harm and great hardship.”
USA Diving wants dropped from lawsuit alleging sex abuse
Indianapolis-based USA Diving is seeking to be dismissed as a defendant in a federal lawsuit from several female divers who say they were sexually abused and exploited by a former coach who worked in Ohio and Indiana.
Judge grants summary judgment to Indianapolis in ‘horrendous’ police dog bite case
A lawsuit filed by an Indianapolis woman who suffered “horrendous” injuries after she was mistakenly mauled by a police dog will not proceed after a federal judge granted summary judgment to the city of Indianapolis and dismissed the remaining defendants from the case.
Troopers must face suit from black motorists stopped 2 hours
A lawsuit against Indiana State Police troopers accused of unreasonably questioning two black motorists for more than two hours on the side of an interstate will continue after a federal judge rejected the troopers’ qualified immunity claims.
Angry Kavanaugh denies Ford accusation, sees ‘disgrace’
Emotionally battling to rescue his Supreme Court nomination, Brett Kavanaugh on Thursday denied allegations that he’d sexually assaulted Christine Blasey Ford when both were high school students and told Congress the accusations and biting criticism by Democrats had “totally and permanently destroyed” his family and reputation.
Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate access to justice after Hurricane María
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and the Indiana State Bar Association Latino Affairs Committee will host a discussion about Puerto Rico’s recovery and access to justice after Hurricane María at its second annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.
Ex-cop expected to plead to embezzling $180K from FOP
Federal prosecutors say a former northwestern Indiana police officer allegedly embezzled more than $180,000 from a local Fraternity Order of Police lodge.