New magistrate judge’s investiture Friday
Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana will be formally sworn-in Friday at the federal courthouse in Indianapolis.
District Courts
Articles
7th Circuit agrees crack cocaine offender’s sentence can’t be reduced
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals addressed an issue involving crack cocaine sentencing Tuesday – whether a defendant sentenced under the career offender guideline, but with a downward departure for substantial assistance, is eligible for a sentence reduction under 18 U.S.C. Section 3582(c)(2).
SCOTUS denies one Indiana case, sidesteps others for now
The Supreme Court of the United States denied one prisoner lawsuit from Indiana today, while not saying whether it will address another case from this state on judicial speech. No decision was made on a third Hoosier case it heard arguments on more than a month ago addressing vehicular flight.
DCS to impose 5 percent reduction for reimbursement in 2011
The Indiana Department of Child Services and IARCCA, an Association of Children and Family Services, announced their agreement today in a dispute regarding reimbursement rate cuts. The dispute led to a lawsuit filed in late 2009 between the two organizations.
Court reverses class certification in hail-damage action
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed the class certification granted by the District Court in a suit brought by unsatisfied homeowners following a 2006 hailstorm in central Indiana.
Justices answer certified question on fault
After revising a certified question received from the federal court, Indiana Supreme Court justices answered the question in the affirmative.
Hammond District court closed Thursday
The Clerk’s Office and Hammond District Court in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana remain closed Thursday due to weather conditions.
Many courts shut down due to weather
Several courts around the state are closed today after heavy snow and ice hit Indiana this week. The weather has even caused the Indiana General Assembly to postpone hearings for a second day.
Indianapolis federal court on 2-hour delay
The Indianapolis Division of the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana will open for business at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. The court had closed early Tuesday because of a winter storm bringing snow and ice to Indiana.
Some District Courts closed due to weather
Some of the federal courts in both of Indiana’s districts are closed because of the inclement weather.
Indiana courts to host judicial independence panel discussion
The Indiana Supreme Court is hosting a panel discussion in mid-February to discuss the broad topic of judicial independence and how courts operate in our democracy, and it’s turning to the online and social media world to help shape how the event unfolds.
Weather causes closures, cancellations
The ice and snow falling in central Indiana has led to cancellations of two court events and closed the Indiana General Assembly.
Motion & discovery
A settlement is the quicker resolution. A trial is the longer resolution. How the initial give and take between attorneys determines what happens.
Indiana has received 14 multidistrict litigation actions over four decades
It began with a mid-air plane collision over Shelby County in 1969. That deadly aviation action symbolized Indiana’s introduction to multidistrict litigation.
Florida judge rules health-care law unconstitutional
A federal judge in Florida has found that Congress has exceeded its authority in passing sweeping health-care reform in 2010 by including the individual mandate that people must purchase health insurance by 2014 or pay a penalty. Indiana had joined with 25 other states, two individuals, and the National Federation of Independent Business to challenge the law.
Federal judge rules against state on immigrant paternity case
Sitting at the crossroads between immigration law, paternity establishment, and the controversy on how the United States handles illegal immigrants, a federal judge in Indianapolis has ordered state health officials to stop denying unmarried immigrant parents without a Social Security number the ability to file an affidavit establishing paternity.
Federal judge certifies state question on misdemeanor voting
A federal judge in Indianapolis wants the Indiana Supreme Court to decide whether the term “infamous crime” as used in the state constitution applies to misdemeanors and can be used to keep those convicts from voting.
Lawsuit challenges free-expression restriction at airport
A Fort Wayne man is suing the Allen County Airport Authority because he claims a recently enacted resolution severely restricts his ability to protest the new screening procedures implemented by the Transportation Security Administration.
Judges order consideration of discovery demands
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ordered a Northern Indiana District Court to reconsider a German company’s discovery demands made in relation to a lawsuit pending in Germany over the alleged theft of trade secrets.
Hospitals seek Medicare reimbursement
Several Indiana hospitals are suing the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over a Medicare reimbursement dispute.