In legal gray area, social media use may impact work life
For employment attorneys, an ever-growing part of the job may include workplace investigations involving the use of social media by employees, on or off the clock.
First Amendment
Articles
Free speech, fair trials collide at ex-Lake County sheriff’s sentencing
With Lake County seemingly awash in political corruption, a local newspaper is trying to uproot the culture of kickbacks and payouts by putting the spotlight on those who speak in favor of the latest elected official to be convicted. The Lake County Bar Association formally opposes the action.
Topless woman’s complaint splits 7th Circuit
A Chicago woman’s decision to celebrate “Go Topless Day” by baring her breasts has cleaved the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals over whether she can now cloak herself in the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of speech.
COA upholds prohibition on TV broadcast of court audio
The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld a trial court ruling that prohibited a Fort Wayne TV station from broadcasting audio from a sentencing hearing it obtained through a public records request, finding the trial court’s ruling complied with both local rules and the First Amendment.
COA rules for Purdue profs who complained about colleague
After filing a complaint against a coworker who made derogatory remarks toward other professors and the Islamic religion, a group of Purdue University professors have been granted their cross-motion for summary judgment against the coworker, who filed numerous First Amendment claims against them.
Ex-school worker says he was fired for Black Lives Matter criticism
A former Fort Wayne Community Schools employee is suing the district, alleging he was wrongfully fired for publicly criticizing the Black Lives Matter movement.
COA: Churches aren’t school property; sex offenders can attend
Three convicted Boone County sex offenders can return to their church congregations after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined that churches are not considered “school property,” so state statute cannot prohibit the offenders from going to church, even when children are present.
Vendor selling racist signs kicked out of Gas City car show
A vendor selling racist signs and plaques has been permanently banned from a popular classic car show in Gas City.
Violence in Charlottesville leads to soul-searching at ACLU
Faced with an angry backlash for defending white supremacists' right to march in Charlottesville, the American Civil Liberties Union is confronting a feeling among some of its members that was once considered heresy: Maybe some speech isn't worth defending.
Judge tosses suit challenging school board prayers
A judge has thrown out a retired teacher’s lawsuit challenging the customary opening Christian prayer at Franklin Township School Board meetings.
Trump asks federal appeals court to dismiss protester lawsuit
Attorneys for President Donald Trump want a federal appeals court to dismiss a lawsuit by protesters accusing him of ordering his supporters to rough them up at a campaign rally in Louisville, Ky. last year.
Trump sued for blocking some of his critics on Twitter
First Amendment advocates are suing President Donald Trump, saying some of his critics have been unconstitutionally blocked from following him on Twitter.
Legal fight over Indiana’s anti-political robocall law ends
A Chicago-based veterans advocacy group's seven-year struggle to strike down Indiana's ban on political robocalls has ended with the U.S. Supreme Court declining to review a lower-court ruling upholding the law.
Supreme Court rules for Missouri church in playground case
The Supreme Court ruled Monday that churches have the same right as other charitable groups to seek state money for new playground surfaces and other nonreligious needs.
Public outcry may be able to keep offensive trademarks at bay
While Monday’s decision from the Supreme Court of the United States that barred the federal government from asserting which names are offensive has been viewed as a victory for the Washington Redskins, a high school in northern Indiana may provide an example of what the eight justices were trying to accomplish.
Justices say law on offensive trademarks is unconstitutional
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday struck down part of a law that bans offensive trademarks, ruling in favor of an Asian-American rock band called the Slants and giving a major boost to the Washington Redskins in their separate legal fight over the team name.
7th Circuit affirms preliminary injunction to allow pro-marijuana rally
A pro-marijuana nonprofit organization may be able to hold a rally on the steps of the Tippecanoe County Courthouse after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a preliminary injunction against the county’s policy for approving courthouse events.
Planned Parenthood challenging new Indiana abortion parental consent law
Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky has filed a lawsuit challenging portions of Senate Enrolled Act 404, which in part requires unemancipated minors to obtain consent from a parent or legal guardian before being allowed to have an abortion.
Prisoner’s suit after Chanukah observation denial may proceed
A pro se Indiana inmate may proceed with his federal lawsuit claiming his First Amendment rights were violated when prison staff denied his requests to observe Chanukah with a menorah and use of the chapel at Westville Correctional Facility.
Charter school facing suit warns of potential ‘chaos’
An Ellettsville charter school affiliated with a religious institution warns that if a federal lawsuit targeting the school’s state funding is successful, similar charter schools statewide could face “chaos.”