Trucker awarded nearly $900K after Lawrenceburg post office fall
The United States government has been ordered to pay nearly $900,000 to a disabled truck driver who suffered brain and spinal injuries after a fall at an Indiana post office.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
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Coronavirus impacting Indiana courts, law firms, schools
The Indiana legal community is taking precautions and ramping up efforts to stay healthy as the coronavirus spreads. Meanwhile, Faegre Drinker announced Wednesday that it had reopened most of its offices Wednesday, including its Indianapolis location. The firm had closed all 22 of its global offices Tuesday after a person who attend a firm event in Washington, D.C., tested positive for COVID-19.
Strong showing of intellectual disability prompts stay of federal execution
A federal judge in Indiana has granted a Louisiana man’s motion to stay his execution pending resolution of his habeas action, finding the man made a strong showing that he is intellectually disabled and as a result, the Federal Death Penalty Act forbids his execution.
Big liquor chain sues Indiana for denying permit for Nora superstore
Just days after getting turned down for a liquor permit, a huge Maryland-based liquor retailer is suing the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, saying the denial was unconstitutional and amounted to economic protectionism.
Indiana governor backs path for forcing out attorney general
Indiana’s governor is endorsing a proposal that could force the state’s attorney general from office if his law license is suspended over allegations he drunkenly groped a state legislator and three other women.
Court dismisses suit that sought to provide attorneys to CHINS children
A lawsuit filed by 10 Hoosier children who argued Indiana should be required to provide legal counsel to youngsters involved in children in need of services proceedings was dismissed Tuesday in federal court. Attorneys who filed the case, however, indicated the matter is far from over.
Web Exclusive: Pendleton inmate wins $425K solitary settlement with help from Chicago, pro bono attorneys
A Pendleton Correctional Facility inmate will be paid $425,000 by the state after spending four years in isolation for a disciplinary violation he says he didn’t commit. But the settlement might not have been agreed upon without the help of a Chicago-based justice center that says it advocates for underdogs.
Complaint dismissed but Hill’s accusers plan to continue their fight
Chief Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson of the Southern Indiana District Court dismissed the lawsuit March 2 brought by three legislative employees and a state representative who claim they were sexually harassed by Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, then retaliated against when their allegations were made public. But the women are indicating they are prepared to continue their legal battle.
7th Circuit affirms communications company’s easement use in trespass case
The joint use of a Jeffersonville easement between a Louisville gas company and a communications company is permissible under Indiana law, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals held Monday. As such, it found no basis for relief against the communications company for a man fighting its use of the easement.
Court overturns guilty plea for Jared Fogle friend, associate
The Southern Indiana District Court tossed the guilty plea and 27-year sentence of Russell Taylor, friend and employee of former Subway pitchman Jared Fogle, finding Taylor’s attorney advised him to plead guilty to charges he did not commit.
Judge dismisses women’s lawsuit accusing Curtis Hill of sexual harassment
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by four women who say Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill groped them during a legislative party in 2018. Indiana Southern District Chief Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson said in part that because the women didn’t work for Hill, they can’t sue the state of Indiana under federal laws meant to prevent workplace discrimination and retaliation.
Indiana ordered to pay $182K in abortion case attorney fees
The state of Indiana is on the hook for more than $182,000 in attorney fees and costs related to a long-fought legal battle over a controversial abortion law that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
SCOTUS considering South Bend abortion clinic case without evidence of clinic corrections
The bid to take yet another Indiana abortion case to the United States Supreme Court will proceed without evidence of a South Bend abortion clinic’s efforts to correct state licensing violations. The procedural ruling comes as the nation’s highest court is set to consider the case in conference Friday.
Booker T. Washington in Indiana topic of Black History Month CLE
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana celebrated Black History Month last week with a public presentation of Booker T. Washington, an important activist and leader in the African American community.
Southern Indiana District Court serves breakfast thanks to pro bono attorneys
Lawyers who volunteered to handle pro se cases brought by inmates last year took the time Thursday to attend a special thank you event hosted by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
Suit: Woman wrongly fired after rejecting Vanderburgh prosecutor’s advances
An Evansville woman says she was fired from her job at the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office after she refused the advances of the county prosecutor, who she alleges handcuffed her, showed her a gun and tried to prevent her from leaving his hotel room during a business trip.
Southern District to offer CLE on implicit bias
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana next month will host a training session on implicit bias in the legal environment, welcoming both experienced and young attorneys to attend.
‘Pipeline’ of judicial nominees may fill Northern Indiana’s pending vacancy
The White House announced Wednesday plans to nominate a handful of new district court judges, but not included on the short list was a nominee to fill the coming vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.
Bankruptcy filings increase nationally, locally
Bankruptcies filings increased slightly in the year ending Dec. 31, 2019, continuing an uphill trend of such filings after nearly a decade of annual decline, the federal courts reported.
7th Circuit upholds enhanced firearm sentence under ACCA
A firearm-related sentence that was enhanced by prior felonies has been affirmed, despite subsequent developments in the law that the defendant argued made his sentence inappropriate.