Justices seem open to allowing 40-foot cross monument
The Supreme Court is sounding as though it will allow a 40-foot cross-shaped war memorial to remain on public land in Maryland, but shy away from a sweeping ruling.
First Amendment
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High court deciding fate of cross-shaped Maryland memorial
Supporters of a cross-shaped memorial to veterans of World War I are asking the US Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that its location on public land in Maryland violates the First Amendment establishment clause. Justices will hear the case Wednesday.
Indiana superintendent criticized for letter seeking prayers
A southern Indiana school superintendent’s letter asking local churches to pray for the district has led to criticism that he may have overstepped the boundary between church and state.
The woe of Roe: 46 years later, abortion debate still boils
To mark the 46th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, two groups rallied at the Indiana Statehouse Jan. 22, and showed that of the divisions among Americans, the gulf over abortion rights remains among the widest.
Sovereign citizen’s prison religion suit may be revisited
An Indiana prisoner and professed sovereign citizen who claimed his religious rights were violated when he was forbidden from fully participating in certain religious services may get another review, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.
NCSC essay contest on free speech open to students
Indiana students in third grade and up are invited to participate in an essay contest in recognition of National Law Day on May 1. Entrants in each category must pen a 100-word essay in response to this year’s question, “Should there be limits to free speech? Why or why not?”
Freedom of religion remains free at Monroe County Jail
Be it rosary beads for a Catholic, a meeting with a rabbi, a prayer mat for Ramadan or a Bible for someone who’s never held one, whatever the religious need, it’s met by the chaplain and staff at the Monroe County Jail.
Organization wants Jackson County to remove Nativity scene
An organization that promotes the separation of church and state wants Jackson County in southern Indiana to remove a Nativity scene from the courthouse lawn in Brownstown.
Indiana ACLU sues East Allen Schools over LGBTQ club
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana last week aided a group of more than 30 East Allen County high school students when it filed a lawsuit against the school corporation, claiming it had imposed “undue, unequal burdens” an LGBTQ+ organization.
Citing lackluster briefing, court gives trooper another chance in panhandler’s suit
Lamenting the “limited utility” of the parties’ briefing on cross-motions for summary judgment, a district court judge has denied summary judgment to an Indiana State Police trooper sued after arresting a man for a form of panhandling but is giving him another chance to defeat a summary judgment ruling in favor of the arrestee.
7th Circuit: Fantasy sports right to publicity battle over
A civil suit brought by three former college football players against online fantasy-sports companies FanDuel and DraftKings has officially ended, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday.
Ex-Lawrenceburg policeman loses 7th Circuit appeal over firing
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a federal court ruling for the city of Lawrenceburg in its firing of a criminally charged police officer, who claimed his termination implicated his First Amendment rights because it came after he complained about the mayor and purported wrongdoing by city officials.
Charter school religion suit defendants awarded costs
After dismissing a First Amendment complaint that alleged a Monroe County charter school violated religious protection laws, a district court judge has awarded the Indiana superintendent of public instruction nearly $1,500 in costs and is considering an award of more than $1,800 for the school.
Judge: White House must return CNN’s Acosta’s credential
A federal judge Friday ordered the Trump administration to immediately return the White House press credentials of CNN reporter Jim Acosta, saying Acosta suffered “irreparable harm” from the decision to bar him.
CNN sues Trump, demanding return of Acosta to White House
CNN is suing the Trump administration, demanding that correspondent Jim Acosta’s press credentials to cover the White House be returned. The administration revoked Acosta’s credentials last week, and the lawsuit claims the revocation violates the constitutional rights to freedom of the press and due process.
Professor: Regulation of lawyer speech undermines judiciary
Legal professionals work within the Rules of Professional Conduct, so they don’t want to make any comments that might be perceived as unduly critical of others in the profession — a profession built largely on respect and civility. But according to an Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law professor, the unease surrounding Rule 8.2(a) is not a matter of respect, but rather a matter of lawyer fear.
Judge lets Tippecanoe Right to Life free speech case proceed
A Tippecanoe County anti-abortion group’s free speech lawsuit against the local public transportation company will continue after a district court judge denied Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corporation’s motion for judgment on the pleadings.
Justices: Fantasy sports excepted from right of publicity
The Indiana Supreme Court answered a certified question posed by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on how Indiana’s right-to-publicity statute affects the fantasy sports industry, finding sites such as DraftKings and FanDuel are shielded by an exception for material with newsworthy value.
Federal court dismisses suit challenging Charter School Act
A First Amendment lawsuit alleging Indiana’s Charter School Acts violates certain religious protections will no longer proceed after a district court judge found the plaintiffs lacked standing to bring the Establishment Clause complaint.
Ball State settles free speech suit with campus pro-life group
Ball State University has agreed to pay more than $12,000 and to revise its student activity fund allocation guidelines as part of a settlement with a pro-life student organization that sued the school earlier this summer for alleged free speech and equal protection violations.