Ex-volleyball coach faces federal child exploitation charges
A former Muncie volleyball coach faces federal child sexual exploitation charges for allegedly having sex with two minors over a three-year period.
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Senate committee advances civil forfeiture bill
A long-discussed civil forfeiture reform bill has cleared its first hurdle in the Indiana statehouse. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday passed Senate Bill 99, which tightens due process procedures when prosecutors seek to confiscate property allegedly connected with crimes.
Bankruptcy filings fall at slowest rate since 2010
In a continuing trend, bankruptcy filings in 2017 continued to fall, but at a slower rate than any time since 2010, a new report issued by the U.S. Courts says.
Committee delays over vote on Sweeney nomination
The vote to send to the full U.S. Senate James Sweeney II’s nomination to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District was delayed Thursday by the Senate’s Committee on the Judiciary.
Panel seeking comments on Dinsmore reappointment
An Indiana Southern District Court panel is seeking comment on whether a sitting magistrate judge should be reappointed to his position for another eight-year term.
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.
Judiciary Committee schedules vote on Sweeney for Southern District
The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary is scheduled to vote Thursday on the nomination of James Sweeney II to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
7th Circuit remands case for resentencing, pro se hearing
The Indiana Southern District Court must resentence an Indianapolis man convicted of possessing ammunition as a felon after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals determined the district court did not adequately inquire into whether the man wanted to proceed pro se.
Keeping East Chicago lead cleanup a priority
Two Statehouse Democrats from northwest Indiana know the cleanup of the contamination site in East Chicago will not only take years but also a steady state commitment. Their legislation — and affected residents’ federal court cases — aim to keep the issue in the spotlight.
Indiana man gets prison term for selling guns in Illinois
An Indiana man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for bringing guns and ammunition across state lines and illegally selling them to people in Chicago and the south suburbs.
Federal courts open during government shutdown
With Congress failing to pass a budget measure by the deadline of midnight Saturday, and the federal government beginning the workweek amid a shutdown, federal judiciary officials sought to assure the public they are still open – for now.
NCAA scores victory in trademark infringement case
A Las Vegas-based fantasy sports sweepstakes company can no longer use the phrases “Final 3” and “April Madness” in its events related to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship after a district court judge granted the NCAA’s request for a permanent injunction in a trademark infringement case.
Trademark dispute between Splenda, Applebees and IHOP to continue
A trademark dispute between the owners of the Splenda sweetener brand and the Applebee’s and IHOP franchises will continue after a district court judge denied the restaurants’ motion to dismiss on Thursday.
Elkhart denies wrongful conviction amid Cooper lawsuit
A northern Indiana city is maintaining the guilt of a Chicago man convicted in a 1996 shooting after the man filed a lawsuit following his pardon.
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.
Workplace rights lawyers racing against shifting legal landscape
While employers across America paid a record amount in settlements for workplace violations last year, don’t expect it to be the beginning of a trend. Think of it more as the storm before the calm, as labor lawyers rush to lock in payouts ahead of a shifting legal landscape.
Federal courts create workplace conduct committee
On the heels of a call from the U.S. Supreme Court to review the judiciary’s sexual harassment response policies, the U.S. Courts Administrative Office has established a working group to review the safeguards in place for protecting court employees from inappropriate workplace conduct.
Sweeney shows respect, humor at nomination hearing
James Sweeney II, nominee for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, practically breezed through his nomination hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary Wednesday.
In big-cat fight, judge scratches defamation counterclaim against PETA
A lawsuit filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals against what it terms “an unaccredited roadside zoo” near Charlestown is proceeding after a judge dismissed the owners’ counterclaim that the nonprofit had defamed them in its complaint.
Judge blocks Trump decision to end DACA immigration program
A federal judge on Tuesday night temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s decision to end a program protecting young immigrants from deportation. U.S. District Judge William Alsup granted a request by California and other plaintiffs to prevent President Donald Trump from ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program while their lawsuits play out in court.