Garcia sworn in as Indiana Southern District magistrate judge
The first Hispanic judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has officially taken his seat on the bench.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
Articles
Judge rejects Dish TV’s motion to dismiss WISH-TV discrimination lawsuit
A federal judge on Wednesday rejected Dish TV’s motion to dismiss a discrimination lawsuit brought against it by WISH-TV Channel 8 parent Circle City Broadcasting.
Indianapolis businessman pleads guilty in $11M Ponzi-style investment scheme
An Indianapolis businessman accused of inducing at least 100 individuals to sink more than $11 million into a fraudulent, Ponzi-style investment scheme has agreed to plead guilty to two counts of federal wire fraud and one count of money laundering.
Open federal judiciary seats bring calls to focus on the process
As he marked the two-month anniversary of his presidency, Joe Biden had not nominated anyone to either the federal bench or a U.S. Attorney’s Office, which distinguished him from his two most recent predecessors. One retired member of Indiana’s judiciary, however, is calling attention to the worrisome problem that beyond open positions, the state has no clearly defined process for identifying qualified Hoosiers to fill the vacancies.
Druidism must be recognized in Department of Correction, judge rules
Druidism could soon become a formally recognized religion within the Indiana Department of Correction after a federal judge granted injunctive relief to a prisoner who claimed his religious rights were violated by the lack of communal Druid services in the DOC.
Pratt named Indiana Southern District Court chief judge
Judge Tanya Walton Pratt has been named the new chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, the court announced Monday, making history as the first person of color to lead the court.
Rokita’s AG office defends governor’s mask order power in restaurant suit
Indiana’s attorney general’s office vigorously defended Gov. Eric Holcomb’s emergency powers in response to a restaurant’s lawsuit challenging his order that masks must be worn inside restaurants to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
7th Circuit orders hearing on counsel’s performance in habeas case
A man who received an enhanced federal sentence for robbery convictions has been granted a hearing on his ineffective assistance of counsel claim. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that under the facts of this case, defense counsel may have been required to anticipate future developments in caselaw.
Southern Indiana District Court on list for more judges
The Judicial Conference of the United States is asking Congress to create 79 new judgeships in federal courts across the country, including adding two new permanent judges in the Southern Indiana District Court.
Election bills tweaking Indiana voting laws
Compared to the battles surrounding voting bills in states such as Iowa and Georgia, the six bills that are moving through the Indiana General Assembly appear to be making rather mild tweaks to Hoosier election laws rather than attempting a controversial overhaul.
Employment lawyers expect businesses to impose new restrictions on remote workers
While in the post-pandemic world employees may still be able to spend at least a few days each month working in their pajamas, they will likely encounter more requirements, mandates and restrictions when doing so.
Maley: Recurring removal issues show numerous pitfalls
Removal from state court to federal court is a routine aspect of federal court practice, though one fraught with procedural pitfalls. Federal judges in Indiana frequently address removal issues, yet errors continue.
Lawsuit against Ohio River tolled bridges swerves around motion to dismiss
A lawsuit against the vendors in charge of the tolling system on three of the bridges connecting southern Indiana to Louisville, Kentucky, has been given the greenlight to continue after a federal court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss.
Report: Federal civil cases soared, criminal filings fell in 2020
In a year unlike any other, marked by an unrelenting pandemic and social unrest, the federal judiciary witnessed a dramatic surge in civil case filings while criminal matters sharply declined. The national trend, however, was not the experience of Indiana’s federal courts.
Man sentenced 75 years for bomb threats, extortion
A California man accused of making online threats to bomb two suburban Indianapolis high schools in addition to a slew of other crimes was sentenced Friday by a federal judge to 75 years in prison.
7th Circuit vacates judgment for debt collector lack of jurisdiction
A woman who claimed “stress and confusion” as injuries after she was contacted by a debt collector without her permission could not convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that the company had violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
IU McKinney dean Bravo reflects on past, looks to future during Black History Month presentation
Despite being forced into a virtual format due to coronavirus concerns, the Indiana Southern District Court’s annual Black History Month event was as strong as ever with a powerful presentation from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law dean Karen Bravo.
Tinder, Williams support Garland’s nomination for AG
A coalition of former federal judges, including two from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, is urging the U.S. Senate to confirm Judge Merrick Garland as the U.S. Attorney General, describing him as having a “strong moral compass and abiding integrity.”
Heroin dealer’s conviction vacated, resentencing ordered
An Indianapolis heroin dealer who was sentenced to 25 years in prison after she was convicted of dealing that led to an overdose and conspiracy persuaded a federal appeals court that she should be resentenced and one of the charges against her vacated.
Children’s Museum lawsuit over Drake moves ahead amid talks with developer
An effort by the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis to overturn the city’s designation of the Drake apartment building as a historic property has been transferred to federal court — even as the organization continues working with city officials on a plan to salvage the nearby building.