Is COA opinion on threat to judge a threat to rights?
Advocates say imprisoned blogger’s ruling out of the Indiana Court of Appeals imperils the First Amendment.
First Amendment
Articles
Settlement in works for teens expelled for online death threats
Griffith Public Schools and the three teens expelled from eighth grade because of a Facebook conversation are in the process of finalizing a settlement agreement, according to a joint status report filed Wednesday in federal court.
7th Circuit grants injunction in company’s suit against providing employees contraceptives
Finding a case out of Madison, Ind., to be nearly identical to one out of Southern Illinois challenging the federal mandate that employers must provide contraceptives to employees despite religious objections, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals granted an injunction Wednesday.
Supreme Court denies Star appeal in online commenter case
The Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday denied transfer in The Indianapolis Star’s appeal of an order that it identify a person who posted an anonymous online comment that has been included in a defamation suit.
Star seeks rehearing on order to identify online commenter
The Indianapolis Star is asking the Court of Appeals to reconsider its order issued Dec.7 that required the newspaper to release the name of an online commenter Friday to a plaintiff who claims the remarks defamed him.
COA rules it doesn’t have jurisdiction over online comment appeal
The Indiana Court of Appeals issued a 20-page order Dec. 7 outlining why Judges Edward Najam and Elaine Brown dismissed The Indianapolis Star’s latest appeal against having to release the name of an online commenter to the plaintiff in a lawsuit.
Discussion to look at religious liberties
Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas? The ACLU of Indiana is taking a look at the battle over religious liberties at its December First Wednesdays brown bag discussion.
State urges justices to draw ‘bright line’ on school choice vouchers
Indiana Solicitor General Thomas Fisher on Wednesday urged the Indiana Supreme Court to uphold the state’s school choice voucher program, arguing that it did not constitute an unconstitutional government support of religion.
Order compelling Star to name online commenter stayed after arguments
The Indianapolis Star won’t have to divulge the identity of an online commenter pending further order of the Indiana Court of Appeals, which heard arguments in a defamation case on Tuesday.
Court of Appeals reverses and remands inmate’s request for kosher meals
A Pendleton Correctional Facility inmate will not be able to collect monetary damages against employees of the Indiana Department of Correction, but his request for kosher meals will get a second review.
US Supreme Court rules on Stolen Valor Act case
While the health care decision was the ruling most people were waiting to hear, the justices also issued decisions in two other cases Thursday. The nation’s highest court found the Stolen Valor Act is unconstitutional.
A 21st century expression of the law
The ’emoticon defense’ raises brows, but it puts a focus on speech rights and school threats.
Teens sue school after expulsion for online death threats
The three teenage girls who were expelled from school because of their after-school online activity filed a lawsuit Wednesday in federal court against the northern Indiana school district. The teens claim the death threats they made on Facebook were made jokingly and their First Amendment rights are being violated.
Officer’s statement not protected by First Amendment
A divided Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled the New Albany Police Department had the right to discipline an officer whose racially charged comments made to fellow officers were leaked to the press and made public.
Shield law ruling unique in nation
The Indiana Court of Appeals adopts a modified test in a defamation case.
COA upholds judgment in favor of employer in wrongful termination suit
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment in favor of the Indiana Department of Insurance in a lawsuit filed by a former employee claiming wrongful termination.
Student sues over ‘I (heart) BOOBIES’ bracelet
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a northern Indiana middle school student who believed he would be expelled if he didn’t cover up his bracelet that said “I (heart) BOOBIES.”
Appellate court to visit Sellersburg for arguments
The Indiana Court of Appeals will travel to a southern Indiana high school to hear a civil case involving First Amendment claims for a police officer’s private statements.
SCOTUS won’t consider off-campus school speech
The nation’s highest court has declined to take a pair of cases asking whether schools can censor the off-campus behavior of students who post messages or photos against school officials or other students.
Prisons face legal questions in managing inmate requests
The institutions must balance religion of inmates and security of prisons.