Druidism now recognized as distinct religion at DOC
The Indiana Department of Correction is now allowing followers of Druidism to study and worship as a distinct religion pursuant to a court-approved consent decree.
Southern District
Articles
7th Circuit: Solitary confinement prisoner failed to exhaust administrative remedies
A prisoner who spent nearly four years in solitary confinement failed to exhaust his administrative remedies before filing a federal claim about his prison conditions. He also failed to budge a 7th Circuit Court of Appeals decision affirming judgment against him.
7th Circuit: Convicted CEO Burkhart doomed by evidence, not Barnes & Thornburg’s conflict of interest
Although the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed the legal counsel had a conflict of interest when defending James Burkhart against federal fraud charges, the disgraced CEO of American Senior Communities failed to show he suffered as a result.
7th Circuit upholds denial of habeas petition, leaves Davenport question for another day
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals was able to avoid a “thorny choice of law question” when it found that the cases cited by a federal prisoner convicted and sentenced in Missouri did not conflict with its sister circuit’s view that the offense of exhibiting weapons is a violent felony under the Armed Career Criminal Act.
McMillian to speak at Southern District’s Black History Month program
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has announced local attorney Jimmie McMillian will be the speaker at its 23rd annual Black History Month event.
Southern District denies prisoner’s compassionate release request prompted by COVID-19 concerns
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana denied Thursday a prisoner’s request for compassionate release based on a fear of contracting COVID-19, finding no extraordinary and compelling reasons to reduce his sentence.
7th Circuit: Southern District must recalculate restitution in fake credit card case
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana will need to recalculate the restitution owed by an Indiana woman who was convicted of stealing thousands of dollars by creating fake credit cards after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated its remanded order for a second time.
Pendleton Heights Gay-Straight Alliance wins injunction for access to school resources
A central Indiana school district must give the local high school’s gay-straight alliance access to the same advertising and fundraising resources as other noncurricular organizations, a federal judge has ruled, issuing an injunction after finding a violation of the Equal Access Act.
‘Hostile housing environment’ claim survives summary judgment in lawsuit against HOA
A federal court is allowing a lawsuit alleging an Indianapolis homeowners association and its property management company knew of race-based harassment in the Twin Creeks subdivision and failed to take legal action to stop the problematic neighbor from using offensive language and making threats.
7th Circuit revives complaints in Cook MDL
After Cook, Inc., had a pair of complaints dismissed from a multi-district litigation by arguing the opposite of what it had asserted against other complaints filed in the same MDL, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the two lawsuits, finding the switcheroo was not fair to the plaintiffs.
State loses bid to depose hospital in abortion lawsuit
The state will not get to depose a Philadelphia hospital as part of one of Indiana’s multiple abortion-related lawsuits after a federal judge overruled the state’s objection to the grant of the hospital’s motion to quash.
Westfield man sentenced for stealing $270K from employer
A Westfield man accused of operating a years-long scheme to defraud hundreds of thousands of dollars from the ophthalmology practice where he worked has been sentenced to 30 months in prison, federal authorities announced Thursday.
7th Circuit: Fired Bargersville clerk-treasurer employee’s retaliation claims won’t stand
A woman who claimed she was fired for criticizing her superior’s choice to overturn a decision she made regarding a customer’s utility services did not convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that she was retaliated against.
Muncie police awarded $375K to hire officers
Funding amounting to $375,000 has been granted to the Muncie Police Department for hiring purposes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana Zachary A. Myers announced Thursday.
Maley: Upcoming federal rule changes: Appellate, local rules
Federal rule changes take effect each Dec. 1 and govern all proceedings in cases thereafter commenced and, insofar as just and practicable, all proceedings then pending
7th Circuit: Prisoner ineligible for relief due to COVID-19 vaccination
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the denial of relief to a man convicted of child pornography crimes, finding that because he is vaccinated against COVID-19, he is ineligible for relief on remand for extraordinary and compelling reasons.
Southern District issues public notice of rule changes for filing formats
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has announced amendments to its local rules concerning the format of filed documents and email filings.
Former Muncie officer pleads guilty to concealing ‘inappropriate use of force’
A former Muncie police officer is facing up to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty Wednesday to intentionally concealing a fellow officer’s inappropriate use of force.
Southern, Northern District Courts reinstate mask, social distancing mandates despite vaccination status
Just two months after lifting the requirement, the Southern Indiana District Court is imposing restrictions mandating all individuals must again wear masks and social distance in public spaces in the district’s courthouses, regardless of their vaccination status, Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt announced in a Monday order.
Kentucky inmate wins sentencing relief from Indiana court
A Kentucky inmate has been granted sentencing relief after the Indiana Southern District Court determined that his prior Illinois residential burglary conviction does not qualify as a violent felony under the Armed Career Criminal Act.