ACLU challenges Clarksville yard-inspection ordinance
A Clarksville resident is suing the southern Indiana town for entering her yard without her permission or warrant, an action she says violates her Fourth Amendment rights.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
Articles
Magnus-Stinson takes helm as chief of Indiana’s Southern District
When Jane Magnus-Stinson isn’t presiding over cases in one of the busiest federal district courts in the nation, she seems to be just as busy. And her workload just increased. On Nov. 23, Magnus-Stinson began her seven-year appointment as chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
Forest Alliance sues to stop Crown Hill cemetery project
The controversy over the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ plans to develop a military cemetery with a series of above-ground columbariums on 15 wooded acres north of Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis has ended up in court.
Judge: Disabled housing discrimination suit may proceed
An Indianapolis subsidized senior-citizens housing facility must face a lawsuit from disabled tenants who claim the three-story apartment building failed to repair its only elevator for weeks, leaving them unable to get to apartments on the top two stories and leaving some disabled tenants stranded upstairs.
Hartford City sex offender ordinance unconstitutionally vague
A 2008 Hartford City ordinance that restricted registered sex offenders from entering or loitering within 300 feet of broadly defined “child safety zones” is unconstitutionally vague, a federal judge has ruled.
Mother’s suit alleging DCS caseworker abuses proceeds
An Indiana Department of Child Services case manager who allegedly pursued meritless child-abuse allegations against an Indianapolis mother must face a federal civil lawsuit, though her DCS supervisors will not, a judge has ruled.
Judge denies summary judgment on claim of sex discrimination by state police
A federal judge has denied summary judgment in favor of Indiana State Police in a sex discrimination case, finding that a former officer’s evidence in the case creates a factual dispute about her claim that the department decline to hire her for a civilian position after her retirement because she is a woman.
Magnus-Stinson becomes chief judge for Southern District
Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson has been named chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. She assumed the leadership position Nov. 23, when Judge Richard Young’s term as chief judge expired.
Judge: Sysco must face Teamsters suit over retirement benefits
A local division of foodservice-supply giant Sysco Systems must face a lawsuit from its Teamsters workers who say the company reneged on retirement benefits negotiated through collective bargaining.
Southern District adopts amended rules
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana announced Monday that it will adopt a set of amended local rules beginning Dec. 1.
Judge jails ex-Vigo County sheriff’s deputy, citing risk to public safety
A federal judge ordered a former Vigo County sheriff deputy’s pretrial detention because the officer posed a danger to public safety for threatening to kill potential witnesses, and because the evidence against him in a kickbacks case indicates “that he believes he can operate outside of the law.”
Ex-deputy’s suit against Marion County deputy prosecutor proceeds
A former Marion County deputy sheriff’s malicious prosecution lawsuit will proceed against a deputy prosecutor he claims pressed for a misconduct investigation against him at the request of a show-business connection.
Indianapolis federal courthouse gets national award
The Birch Bayh Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse has received national recognition for a refurbishment project that ushered the infrastructure of the 100-year-old building into the 21st century while preserving the structure’s distinguished spirit.
District court fees to increase Dec. 1
Several fees included on the U.S. District Court’s Miscellaneous Fee Schedule will soon increase after the Judicial Conference approved fee changes at its September 2016 session.
Auditor says Eskenazi Health fired her for identifying improper billing
A compliance auditor at Eskenazi Health claims she was fired after alerting her supervisor that the hospital was improperly billing the federal government and Indiana for potentially hundreds of patients whose bills were already being paid by research grants.
Judge initially dismisses ticket broker suit against Colts
A district court has dismissed a lawsuit against the Indianapolis Colts after deciding the team had the legal right not to renew an out-of-state ticket broker’s season tickets, but the court left the case open for further action by inviting the broker to file an amended claim on stronger legal ground.
Ong still has path to Southern District seat
With Republicans set to control the White House, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the fate of Indiana’s judicial nominees to the federal bench is even more uncertain, but one court-watcher believes Winfield Ong might be confirmed.
Judge to hear bid to block Indiana abortion ultrasound law
A federal judge is set to hear arguments in Planned Parenthood’s bid to block a new Indiana mandate that women undergo an ultrasound at least 18 hours before having an abortion.
Plaintiffs in Carmel class-action traffic lawsuit file appeal
The plaintiffs in a federal class-action lawsuit filed against the city of Carmel for its enforcement of a local traffic ordinance are appealing the dismissal of the case in early October.
Woman’s wage suit against Indiana medical supplier goes forward
A federal judge has rejected an Indiana-based medical supplier’s effort to dismiss a former employee’s lawsuit seeking enhanced damages over withheld pay.