Marion County Jail beating lawsuit proceeds
A judge has refused to dismiss a federal lawsuit in which a man claims guards at the Marion County Jail stomped and beat him, leaving him with broken ribs, then refused to allow him to file a grievance.
First Amendment
Articles
Judge blocks release of 3D-printed gun plans
A federal judge in Seattle on Tuesday issued a temporary restraining order to stop the release of blueprints to make untraceable and undetectable 3D-printed plastic guns. Eight Democratic attorneys general sued Monday to block a settlement with the government that would have allowed blueprints to be published online.
Hill joins amicus brief defending cross-shaped WWI memorial
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has signed on to a 28-state amicus brief urging the United States Supreme Court to overturn a circuit court decision that would require the destruction or significant alteration of a World War I monument, which was found to be a violation of the Establishment Clause.
U.S. Supreme Court voids part of crisis pregnancy center law
The U.S. Supreme Court says a California law that forces anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers to provide information about abortion probably violates the Constitution.The 5-4 ruling Tuesday also casts doubts on similar laws in Hawaii and Illinois.
Justices strike down Minnesota voter clothing restrictions
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday struck down Minnesota’s broad restrictions on voters wearing “political” hats, T-shirts and pins to the polls, but said states can place limits on such apparel.
Ex-Brownsburg teacher challenges district transgender name policy
A former Brownsburg teacher says a school district forced him to resign following a disagreement over a policy that calls for teachers to address transgender students by their preferred gender name rather than their birth name.
Justices side with Colorado baker on same-sex wedding cake
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday for a Colorado baker who wouldn’t make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple in a limited decision that leaves for another day the larger issue of whether a business can invoke religious objections to refuse service to gay and lesbian people.
State secret: DOC presses lethal injection confidentiality
A law slipped into the 2017 budget bill during the General Assembly’s final hours declared that information about drugs that the state would use to execute someone was confidential. The last-minute law was written into the bill even though a judge had ruled months earlier that the very same information was a matter of public record and had ordered the Department of Correction to provide it.
Indianapolis police arrest protesters blocking traffic
Indianapolis police arrested several people who blocked a street outside the Statehouse as part of a nonviolent protest against poverty, racism and other issues. At least 14 demonstrators reportedly were arrested.
Settlement allows children to visit Allen County Jail inmates
A settlement in a federal lawsuit ends a policy that prohibited Allen County Jail inmates from receiving visits from their children, among other agreed changes.
County wants U.S. Supreme Court to hear church grants case
A New Jersey county wants the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that bars a longstanding practice of giving public historic preservation grants to churches.
7th Circuit rejects Hustler Hollywood’s zoning denial appeal
An adult entertainment business cannot set up shop at its desired Indianapolis location after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a city ordinance that prohibits such businesses from operating in certain zoning districts.
Indiana lawsuit over Pledge of Allegiance dismissed
A federal judge in Terre Haute has dismissed a lawsuit that accused a western Indiana elementary school principal and a teacher of violating a student’s constitutional rights by forcing him to say the Pledge of Allegiance.
Judge strikes down Hamilton County sign restrictions
A judge in Noblesville struck down Hamilton County’s sign ordinance and said that the restrictions created a chilling effect on free speech. A county official said it’s unlikely the county will appeal.
Indiana Court Decisions — March 15-28, 2018
7th Circuit Court of Appeals March 21 Civil Plenary — Establishment Clause Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Concord Community Schools 17-1591, 17-1683 An Elkhart high school’s traditional “Christmas Spectacular” production that was canceled by a northern Indiana federal court because of its overt religiosity, then passed muster when Christian elements no longer took a leading […]
Former phone sex operator loses summary judgment in National Guard case
A former phone sex operator who was terminated from an AmeriCorps program has lost her bid for partial summary judgment based on an alleged First Amendment violation.
Despite ‘role of Grinch,’ 7th Circuit won’t stop Christmas show
An Elkhart high school’s traditional “Christmas Spectacular” production that was canceled by a northern Indiana federal court because of its overt religiosity, then passed muster when Christian elements no longer took a leading role in a revival, won the reluctant blessing of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
High court takes up crisis centers’ abortion information challenge
The Supreme Court of the United States is hearing arguments in a free speech fight over California’s attempt to regulate anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers.
ACLU reminder: student protesters have rights
In advance of Wednesday’s National School Walkout, the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana is reminding public school administrators, principals and school board members that students have First Amendment rights.
ACLU of Indiana sues county over ‘not my mayor’ sign
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana has filed a lawsuit against Randolph County after a Winchester resident was ordered to remove a sign from her yard expressing opposition of an elected official in her city.