Suspended lawyer warned against ‘frivolous’ pleadings
A federal judge has warned a suspended attorney to stop filing frivolous motions in an unsuccessful suit alleging police misconduct against the city of Gary and other defendants.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
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Northern District seeks magistrate for Fort Wayne division
The U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Indiana is now accepting applications for a full-time magistrate judge in the Fort Wayne division. The Judicial Conference of the United States has authorized the appointment.
Court upholds Plymouth pay policy challenged by reservist
The city of Plymouth’s policy on longevity pay withstood a challenge by a police officer who unsuccessfully claimed he was entitled to the full benefit rather than a prorated share for time he spent deployed as a U.S. Air Force Reservist.
No relief in sight for busy Southern District judges
Judges of the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Indiana are among the nation’s busiest. They have been for years, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
Biomet settles hip-replacement litigation
The most serious cases from among more than 950 patients around the nation who claim they were harmed by a Warsaw company’s implanted hip-replacement devices will share in a settlement expected to exceed $100 million, according to an attorney involved in the case.
Civil case filing now all electronic in Northern District
Beginning Monday, all new civil cases filed by counsel will be filed electronically in CM/ECF, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana has announced. Electronic filing will become mandatory as of Feb. 24.
Judge blocks ‘contraception mandate’ for Catholic diocese plaintiffs
A federal judge in Fort Wayne has blocked enforcement of the “contraception mandate” for numerous health care providers in a lawsuit brought by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. The ruling could impact more than 10,000 people eligible for benefits through a number of diocese-related organizations.
Judge rejects Notre Dame bid for injunction on contraception coverage
A federal judge denied the University of Notre Dame’s request for an injunction blocking the “contraception mandate” in the Affordable Care Act that requires employers to provide insurance coverage for birth control.
Judge sentences attorney Page to probation, fine
Attorney and real estate developer Paul J. Page will serve two years of probation and pay a $10,000 fine for concealing the source of a $362,000 down payment on his purchase of a state-leased office building in Elkhart.
Citing shutdown, federal court stays many civil cases
The federal government shutdown has led to a stay of nearly all civil actions in the U.S. courts in Evansville, Indianapolis, New Albany and Terre Haute in which the federal government has an interest.
7th Circuit: Recording of drug deal doesn’t taint conviction
A taped conversation between a suspected heroin dealer and a confidential informant in which a sentence was admitted into evidence was not fruit of the poison tree dooming a conviction that was supported by plenty of other evidence, the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.
Fake ID using own name not aggravated ID theft, 7th Circuit rules
An Indiana man who supplied a fake identification that used the recipient’s real name may not be subjected to the federal aggravated identity theft statute, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday in a unanimous en banc decision.
New planning report form now in use in Northern District
Effective Aug. 14, the Northern District of Indiana has a new form for the “Report of Parties’ Planning Meeting” that is required to be submitted after the parties’ Rule 26(f) planning conference. This new form is to be used going forward.
Northern District judge tosses challenge to Indiana immigration law
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging portions of Indiana’s immigration law passed in 2011.
7th Circuit: New indemnity provision does not release employer from liability
An employer will have to pay $4.23 million after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals was unconvinced by the employer’s argument that language in a later contract superseded that of an earlier contract.
Court seeks comment on reappointment of Magistrate Cosbey
The U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Indiana is now accepting comment on whether Magistrate Judge Roger Cosbey should be reappointed when his term expires Jan 2, 2014.
Judge allows Corcoran to appeal denial of habeas corpus
Joseph Corcoran, who has been sentenced to death for killing four men in 1997, will be allowed to appeal the denial of his petition for habeas corpus to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Suit against Catholic diocese alleging firing after fertility treatment proceeds
A former teacher who claims her contract at St. Vincent de Paul School in Fort Wayne was not renewed because she underwent in vitro fertilization treatments may proceed with a suit against the Catholic diocese.
‘Sovereign citizen’ gets 40-year sentence
A self-identified sovereign citizen was sentenced last week to 40 years in prison for felony convictions of kidnapping and intimidation of a witness.
Jury: Real estate execs Bales, Spencer not guilty of fraud
John M. Bales lifted his crossed hands to his face and began to cry Thursday evening as a federal judge read the same jury verdict on each of 13 fraud counts against the real estate broker and his partner: Not guilty.