Lawyer charged with defrauding elderly pleads guilty
A former South Bend lawyer who was charged with scamming elderly investors has pleaded guilty to some charges in the case.
Northern District
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Northern District nominees sent to Senate floor after judiciary committee votes
Holly Brady and Damon Leichty, nominees to the Northern Indiana District Court, are a step closer to confirmation after the US. Senate Committee on the Judiciary voted in favor of their nominations Thursday and sent their names to the Senate floor.
Northern Indiana District Court awaiting re-nomination process
With the start of the 116th Congress, Indiana’s two remaining federal judicial nominees have stalled and the vacancies in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana continue. However, Indiana’s senior senator expressed confidence they will come back to Capitol Hill.
Memorial honoring Lozano scheduled for next month
The Indiana Northern District Court will honor the late Senior Judge Rudy Lozano at a memorial service in his honor next month. The service will begin at 2 p.m. Sept. 24 in Lozano's courtroom in the Hammond Federal Courthouse, 5400 Federal Plaza.
Denial of damages in cellphone vendor breach affirmed
An Indiana company that breached a contract to pay referral fees to a chain of Pennsylvania cellphone stores that signed up Verizon customers years ago owes nothing to the party that proved the breach, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Thursday.
Northern District flags at half-staff for late Judge Lozano
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana announced Friday that federal courthouses in Fort Wayne, Hammond, Lafayette and South Bend would lower flags to half-staff through Monday in honor of the late Senior Judge Rudy Lozano, who died Wednesday at 76 years old.
Federal Judge Rudy Lozano, ‘an institution,’ dies at 76
Rudy Lozano served on the federal bench for 30 years, making landmark rulings in a Hammond courtroom that his peers said was known for its collegiality. Before that, Lozano was a leading practitioner who helped unify the legal community in northwest Indiana.
Northern District Senior Judge Rudy Lozano dies
Senior Judge Rodolfo (Rudy) Lozano of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana has died, the office of Northern District Clerk Robert N. Trgovich confirmed Thursday morning.
7th Circuit affirms judgment for Walgreens in slip-and-fall case
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed summary judgment for a national drugstore chain after finding that an woman who fell in a Walgreens store in Hebron failed to prove the store had knowledge of a hazard on its premises.
Judge lacked authority to raise cocaine sentence after reduction
A cocaine dealer whose prison term was reduced in accordance with changed federal guidelines won an appeal after the judge who cut his sentence by more than 10 years later reimposed the original sentence.
Longest-serving Lake Superior judge takes leave
The longest-serving Lake Superior judge is stepping aside, at least temporarily, effective today, according to an order of the Indiana Supreme Court.
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.”
Indiana can’t cap Medicaid coverage of dental services
A northern Indiana federal judge has ruled that the state must fully cover dental services that are medically necessary for Medicaid participants, and it can’t deny coverage exceeding a certain amount because that would prevent some low-income individuals the ability to get needed care.
Can schools discipline for off-campus conduct?
School is back in session, and a new set of court rulings issued during the summer break may make it more difficult for school administrators to decide how to handle inappropriate or potentially disruptive online activities carried out by students off-campus.
Judge: Students’ off-campus Internet photos protected by First Amendment
A federal judge has ruled that a northern Indiana school district shouldn’t have disciplined two high school girls who posted racy online photos of themselves posing with phallic lollipops and simulating sexual acts because the pictures were outside of school and are protected by the First Amendment.
South Bend attorney to investigate allegations of misconduct in Northern District
South Bend attorney Joseph D. Bradley has been appointed by Chief Judge Philip P. Simon to serve as special counsel to investigate allegations of attorney misconduct that are pending before the Attorney Grievance Committee for the Northern District of Indiana.
Local counsel rule found unconstitutional
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that the Northern District of Indiana was essentially creating a built-in appeal issue on ineffective assistance of counsel, and it called out a senior judge for violating a man’s Sixth Amendment right to choose his own lawyer.
Bankruptcy Court seeks public comment
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana is seeking public comment concerning proposed changes to the court’s local rules. The changes involve the rule, B-2014-1, Employment of Professionals by Debtor-in-Possession.
Judge rejects plea for former physician
U.S. Judge Philip Simon in the Northern District of Indiana rejected a plea agreement on April 27 for former physician Mark Weinberger, who faces at least 22 criminal counts of billing insurers and patients for procedures he didn’t perform.
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).