Contingency-fee forfeiture prosecutions not unconstitutional, federal judge rules
Indiana’s practice of allowing private prosecutors to collect a contingency fee on forfeiture proceeds is not a violation of due process, a federal judge has ruled.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
Articles
Judge rejects plea deal by former Muncie police officer, who will now stand trial for 3rd time
A federal judge rejected a plea agreement Wednesday for a former Muncie police officer accused of trying to cover up another officer’s use of excessive force, setting the stage for his third trial in the case.
Inmate placed in disciplinary segregation for 2 years loses summary judgment appeal
An inmate alleging his constitutional rights were violated in a prison disciplinary process that put him in segregation for two years has failed to find relief at the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Class certification granted in challenge to law banning gender-transition procedures for minors
Plaintiffs challenging Indiana’s 2023 law banning gender-transition procedures for minors have been granted class certification.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana to host 25th Black History Month event
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana will be hosting its 25th annual Black History Month event next month.
7th Circuit remands product liability complaint to get jurisdictional clarity on Samsung’s ties to Indiana
There were insufficient facts to determine whether personal jurisdiction existed over Samsung SDI in a product liability lawsuit where one of the company’s batteries allegedly exploded in a minor’s pocket, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.
Federal judge denies Butler’s motion to dismiss student-athletes’ sexual abuse case against former athletic trainer
A federal judge has denied Butler University’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by four student-athletes who allege that a former athletic trainer sexually abused them and that the university’s athletic director failed to protect them.
Battery claim against Indianapolis can proceed in police excessive force case, federal judge rules
The estate of a woman who died after a struggle with Indianapolis police may pursue a battery claim at trial next month after a federal judge denied the city’s motion to dismiss.
Indianapolis women sentenced after embezzling $270K from WFYI
A woman who worked as an accounting specialist at WFYI Public Media from 2018 to 2020 and her co-conspirator have been sentenced to three years of probation after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $270,000.
Corydon woman’s amended civil rights complaint dismissed with prejudice in federal court
A Black Corydon woman’s amended civil rights complaint failed to present sufficient claims against several town defendants and Harrison County commissioners, a federal judge ruled in dismissing the lawsuit with prejudice.
Carmel Clay Schools win summary judgment on ex-counselor’s claims of discrimination for being Hispanic, gay
Carmel Clay Schools has been awarded summary judgment on discrimination and retaliation claims filed by a former high school counselor who said she was ultimately terminated for being Hispanic and married to a woman.
Proffer letter signed before defendant chose to go to trial doesn’t undercut firearm conviction, 7th Circuit rules
A man challenging the proffer letter he signed during plea negotiations before ultimately choosing to go to trial failed to convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that he did not knowingly waive his rights in the initial agreement.
Man gets 30 years in prison for child sexual exploitation acts
An Indianapolis man has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a child, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana announced Dec. 29.
U.S. Southern District of Indiana updates prisoner e-filing program
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has released a new general order updating a prisoner electronic filing program.
ALJ not required to consult additional medical expert in denial of disability benefits, 7th Circuit affirms
An administrative law judge was correct in denying disability insurance benefits to a man who waited more than 18 months to see a doctor after hurting his back at work, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Tuesday.
Death row inmate’s falsified document, perjury justified dismissal of sexual assault claim, 7th Circuit affirms
A district court’s dismissal of a death row inmate’s lawsuit that alleged sexual assault by a prison medical director was an appropriate sanction given the inmate’s litigation misconduct, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Wednesday.
Supreme Court, Southern District announce new summer program for high school students
The Supreme Court Historical Society and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana are launching a new program, “The Supreme Court and My Hometown,” for Indianapolis-area high school students.
Fees increasing at federal courts
Fee increases took effect today in both the Indiana Northern and Southern District courts.
Corydon woman’s federal lawsuit alleging civil rights violations dismissed without prejudice
A federal judge has dismissed without prejudice a civil rights complaint filed by a Black woman from Corydon who alleges she was denied full access to the town’s public utilities and faced harassment and threats while living there.
Butler student suing school for handling of stalking allegations permitted to amend unjust enrichment claim
A Butler University student who sued the school after he was found not responsible on an allegation of stalking has been partially granted leave to amend his complaint after a previous ruling dismissing the majority of his claims.