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.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
Articles
Ex-Evansville housing exec gets 60 days for probation error
A former top executive at a southwestern Indiana nonprofit that provides housing for veterans and homeless families was sentenced to 60 days in jail Tuesday for violating her probation after pleading guilty to embezzling nearly $150,000 from the group.
Making litigants’ voices heard: Indy attorney Sniderman takes on additional role helping recruited counsel represent prisoners
Attorney Mark Sniderman is taking his respect for the client’s story to his new role as consulting attorney for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana’s Recruited Counsel Program. He will continue his private practice and serve in this new position, which started Feb. 1, on an as-needed basis, providing materials and offering guidance to attorneys in the program.
Federal judge makes traveling voter boards permissive, not mandatory, in win for blind, print-disabled voters
While the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana expressed it was “gravely concerned” about the current procedures in place for allowing blind and print-disabled Hoosiers to vote absentee, it determined it was only able to provide partial injunctive relief ahead of the May 2022 primary election. But disability rights organizations say the order puts an end to the country’s “most restrictive” rule regarding mandatory traveling voter boards for voters with print disabilities.
Homeowners association, property managers settle discrimination lawsuit
An Indianapolis homeowner has reached a $262,500 settlement with her homeowners association and a property management company over allegations of harassment and discrimination.
Reporter tells court 1st Amendment lawsuit will end if AG Rokita has ‘change of heart’
Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, the political pundit who is suing Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita after being barred from a press conference about robocalls, is trying to keep his lawsuit alive by telling a federal court that the state’s top lawyer is ignoring “the foundational role that a free, uninhibited press performs in our society.”
7th Circuit rejects felon’s ‘stalking horse’ argument
In a case of first impression, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals denied a “stalking horse” argument made by a convicted felon on parole who was caught unlawfully possessing firearms.
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.
AG Rokita says no constitutional right to interact with government officials
Claiming freedom of speech does not guarantee the right to hear a government official deliver a message in person, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is seeking dismissal of a First Amendment case brought by an Indianapolis-based political commentator who was barred from a press conference.
7th Circuit: Product liability claims against Cook Medical untimely
An Oregon woman who brought product liability claims in a short-form complaint against Indiana-based Cook Medical could not succeed on appeal because her claims were untimely, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed.
Indiana Southern District Court lifts mask, social distancing mandates
Visitors of the federal courthouses in the Southern District of Indiana will no longer be required to wear face coverings or socially distance while entering and occupying public spaces beginning next week, according to a Wednesday order from Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt.
Indy-area news orgs defeat defamation claim filed by pro-police nonprofit
A pro-police organization that was once accused of being a “scam” has lost its defamation claim against two Indianapolis-area news organizations.
Despite identity theft, 7th Circuit rules debt collectors didn’t violate federal law in collection action
While the process of remedying a case of credit card identity theft caused “a world of aggravation” for the plaintiff, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the debt collectors’ actions during the investigation didn’t violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or Fair Credit Reporting Act.
7th Circuit agrees lawyer’s mistake was ‘inexcusable attorney negligence’
Four plaintiffs seeking Cook Medical liable have lost their ability to continue in the multidistrict litigation after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of a motion to reconsider the dismissal of their cases because their attorney missed a filing deadline.
Noblesville High School seeks dismissal of lawsuit filed by pro-life student
Noblesville School District and Noblesville High School are asking a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a freshman who alleged her rights were violated because she was not allowed to start a student pro-life club.
7th Circuit finds insurance co. has to defend USA Gymnastics against Nassar-related claims
A split 7th Circuit Court of Appeals panel has affirmed Liberty Insurance Underwriters Inc. must defend USA Gymnastics against the lawsuits filed by the athletes and affiliated gyms arising from Larry Nassar sexually assaulting hundreds of girls and young women over decades.
7th Circuit reverses 16-year drug sentence, finds district court relied on unsubstantiated allegations
Finding federal prosecutors failed to present any evidence to support the allegation that Edward Gibbs confessed to conspiring to distribute 4.5 kilograms of crystal meth, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned his 16-plus-year sentence and remanded for resentencing at a lower offense level.
7th Circuit rules ALJ failed to consider extent of disability caused by rape
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned the denial of Social Security disability benefits for an honorably discharged female member of the U.S. Coast Guard who was raped by a fellow service member, finding the administrative law judge’s determination was not supported by the substantial evidence.
Pandemic forces delay in fraud trial of former Celadon execs
The ongoing pandemic has created another delay in the long-pending fraud trial of two former Celadon Group Inc. executives.
Bankruptcy filings fall again in 2021, holding off expected ‘wave’
Bankruptcy filings fell again in 2021, dropping 24% nationwide, according to newly released data from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.