U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana

Scrap dealer’s request to dismiss Hammond bridge theft charge denied

November 13, 2018

A federal judge has denied a northwestern Indiana scrap metal dealer’s request to dismiss charges for allegedly demolishing a historic Hammond railroad bridge and selling the metal for $18,000. Kenneth Morrison argued the grand jury didn’t get an accurate picture of whether the city of Hammond or the railroad company owned the Monon Bridge, but Judge Philip Simon said prosecutors only have to prove Morrison had no claim to the scrap metal.

Judge lets Tippecanoe Right to Life free speech case proceed

November 9, 2018

A Tippecanoe County anti-abortion group’s free speech lawsuit against the local public transportation company will continue after a district court judge denied Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corporation’s motion for judgment on the pleadings.

Bankruptcy court seeks comment on proposed rule changes

November 1, 2018

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 proposed changes to Rule B-4004-2, now known as Discharge in Chapter 13 Cases, would make the rule applicable to both Chapter 12 and 13 cases.

Summary judgment for former sheriff reversed after sexual assault allegations against deputy

October 30, 2018

The 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned summary judgment for a former Lake County sheriff sued after a local woman alleged a sheriff’s deputy sexually assaulted her while in her home, with the court finding the woman’s respondeat superior claim against the sheriff can proceed.

New lawyers reminded of civility, service and family at admission ceremony

October 16, 2018

Emphasizing civility and community service, Indiana state and federal judges along with other members of the legal profession welcomed nearly 300 new attorneys to the practice of law Tuesday as part of the Indiana Supreme Court Admission Ceremony.

Hanlon confirmed to Southern Indiana District Court

October 12, 2018

James Patrick “J.P.” Hanlon was confirmed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana by the U.S. Senate Thursday evening in a voice vote. The partner at Faegre Baker Daniels was nominated by President Donald Trump and will fill the vacancy created when Judge William Lawrence took senior status in July.

Elkhart police K-9 excessive force case to continue

October 8, 2018

An Elkhart police officer accused of using excessive force when he deployed a K-9 officer on a suspect lying in a cornfield has lost his bid for summary judgment and qualified immunity in federal court.

Indiana gets more anti-violent crime funding

October 4, 2018

Nearly $657,000 has been allocated to the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana this year to continue efforts to reduce violent crime in the state and nationwide.

Ex-cop expected to plead to embezzling $180K from FOP

September 26, 2018

Federal prosecutors say a former northwestern Indiana police officer allegedly embezzled more than $180,000 from a local Fraternity Order of Police lodge.

Hammond clerk’s office closing early Monday for Lozano memorial

September 20, 2018

The Hammond Clerk's Office for the District Court for the Northern District of Indiana will close at noon Monday for the memorial service in honor of late Senior Judge Rudy Lozano.

Wrongful death suit against Fort Wayne police proceeds

September 19, 2018

The estate of a man who died from a cocaine overdose while chained to a desk in police custody may proceed with a wrongful death suit against the city of Fort Wayne, a federal court ruled.

FedEx drivers get tentative $13.3M ERISA settlement

September 7, 2018

A proposed workplace-benefits settlement of more than $13.3 million for Federal Express drivers who were wrongly classified as contractors rather than employees has been approved by an Indiana federal judge overseeing a nationwide docket of employment suits against the delivery service.

Indiana consumer bankruptcies fall faster than U.S. average

August 27, 2018

Personal bankruptcy filings due to consumer debt tumbled in Indiana last year at a much faster pace than an overall national decline, according to federal bankruptcy court data released Monday. Hoosiers filed a combined 7.4 percent fewer petitions for Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy in 2017.

Former Elkhart resident accused of supporting ISIS

August 23, 2018

A former Elkhart resident has been charged in federal court with providing and conspiring to provide material support to foreign terror organization the Islamic State or Iraq and al-Sham.

Crown Point man gets 15-year prison term in terror-related case

August 21, 2018

A Crown Point man who pleaded guilty to terror-related charges has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen on Monday also sentenced Marlonn Hicks of Crown Point to three years of supervised release, to be served after his prison term.

7th Circuit vacates denial of benefits to man with shooting pain and numbness

August 20, 2018

Finding an administrative law judge did not evaluate the credibility of a claimant and instead relied on the testimony of a physician who had not even examined the patient, the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed and remanded the denial of Social Security benefits to an Indiana man.

7th Circuit says vacated Fourth Amendment case was ‘close call’

August 20, 2018

The 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated and remanded a motion to suppress two firearms from a vehicle search after it determined the search was unwarranted due to a lack of reasonable suspicion after an anonymous tip was made.

7th Circuit: Disability benefit arguments lack merit

August 16, 2018

Medical evidence did not support the testimony of a deceased man about the degree of limitations he experienced, the 7th Circuit affirmed when reviewing his denied disability benefits case. The court found arguments in the case lacked merit.

7th Circuit slaps ALJ, remands engineer’s disability case after stroke

August 16, 2018

A district court’s decision affirming a Social Security administrative law judge’s ruling on the onset date of an engineer’s disability was vacated Wednesday by the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals, which found medical and other evidence strongly suggests an earlier disability date.

Federal courts propose broad evidence, civil, bankruptcy rule changes

August 15, 2018

Proposed federal court rule changes released for public comment Wednesday would impose new duties on prosecutors who seek to introduce evidence of a criminal defendant’s prior crimes and on lawyers involved in depositions, among other changes.

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