No immediate impact on courts if government shuts down
The federal judicial system will conduct business as usual, even if Congress fails to reach a funding agreement before midnight tonight.
District Courts
Articles
Irked judge in tanning trademark dispute: ‘This is a busy Court’
A federal judge warned a tanning product maker and lawyers defending it from a trademark infringement claim that they were dangerously close to getting burned.
Judge: Suit challenging Marion County judicial slating may proceed
A federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a state law that has given rise to the Democratic and Republican slating system under which Marion Superior judges are elected will go forward.
Judge reverses ATM fee class decertification; suggests any award go to charity
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals court didn’t exactly call an Indiana appeal a small-change case, but it suggested the few dollars each member of a class might receive could be more usefully given to charity.
7th Circuit: Recording of drug deal doesn’t taint conviction
A taped conversation between a suspected heroin dealer and a confidential informant in which a sentence was admitted into evidence was not fruit of the poison tree dooming a conviction that was supported by plenty of other evidence, the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.
Volokh to argue in Brewington before justices, partake in McKinney moot court
One of the National Law Journal’s 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America will be before the Indiana Supreme Court this week to argue on behalf of a blogger convicted and sentenced for intimidating a Dearborn County judge who revoked the man’s joint custody of his children.
7th Circuit cautions bare-bones recitation of Rule 403 insufficient
A District Court’s failure to review evidence and provide a considered analysis for admitting that evidence drew an admonishment – but no reversal – from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
7th Circuit reinstates mechanics’ claims of faulty trailer-support design
Complaints for damages from two mechanics that were injured by a semi trailer they were working on were partially reinstated Friday by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
7th Circuit declines to second guess co-defendant credibility in firearm sentence
Contradictory testimony given in two plea agreements presented the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Evansville Division, with the “classic choice” of whom to believe.
ITLA to give $30,000 Conour donation to restitution fund
A $30,000 donation that convicted former attorney William Conour made four years ago to the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association will be given to a federal court fund to provide restitution to his fraud victims.
Southern District Bankruptcy Court amends rules
New rules in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana regarding wage assignment orders in Chapter 13 cases and additional requirements for electronic filing will be effective Sept. 23, according to an order posted Thursday.
Men sentenced for aiding inmate-run meth ring
Two men found guilty of participating in a drug-trafficking ring directed by Indiana prison inmates were sentenced in federal court on Tuesday.
Appeals court reverses, finds judgment on pleadings for insurer
An Orange Circuit Court judge erred when he failed to approve an insurer’s motion for judgment on the pleadings, and the Court of Appeals on Tuesday ordered the case remanded and such a ruling entered.
New planning report form now in use in Northern District
Effective Aug. 14, the Northern District of Indiana has a new form for the “Report of Parties’ Planning Meeting” that is required to be submitted after the parties’ Rule 26(f) planning conference. This new form is to be used going forward.
Truck owner-operator fee dispute stays in federal court
A lawsuit claiming that hundreds of tractor-trailer owner-operators may be owed damages of more than $5 million will remain in federal court, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday.
ACLU alleges IMPD officers infringed panhandlers’ free-speech rights
The ACLU of Indiana has filed a federal lawsuit claiming the city and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers violated the free speech rights of indigent panhandlers ordered to move from near Circle Center Mall last week.
Northern District judge tosses challenge to Indiana immigration law
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging portions of Indiana’s immigration law passed in 2011.
Judge tosses one of two stent patent suits against Cook Medical
A federal judge Wednesday dismissed a patent dispute case against Cook Medical Inc. of Bloomington, but a Texas corporation continues to press its claim that the device maker infringed its patents on blood vessel stents and grafts.
Judge clears IU to donate $450,000 for Conour victim restitution
A judge last week approved an order clearing the way for Indiana University to transfer $450,000 to a federal court restitution fund for victims of former personal-injury and wrongful-death attorney William Conour.
Liquor store chain seeks to impose strict regulations on convenience stores selling alcohol
A chain of 19 liquor stores in Indianapolis wants the drug, grocery and convenience stores that sell alcohol to be subject to the same strict regulations that govern package liquor stores.