Due to the threat to public health and safety currently posed by COVID-19 and the related coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control and other public health and governmental authorities have advised individuals and entities to take precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19, including recommending the wearing of face coverings in public settings. Upon consideration of this public health guidance, it is necessary to require entrants and occupants of all courthouses in the Southern District of Indiana to wear face coverings. Please see General Order linked below.
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News & Announcements
Check this page, or the News and Announcements box on the homepage, for the latest official news and announcements released by the court. You can also access archived news and announcements from this page.
Fri, 2020-06-12
Fri, 2020-06-05
During the months of March, April, and May 2020, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana issued several General Orders regarding Court operations in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. These orders, among other things, continued all jury trials, cancelled all naturalization ceremonies, and discussed delays caused by criminal trial continuances with respect to the Speedy Trial Act. To the extent this Order differs from previous orders of the Court on this subject, this Order supersedes and replaces those prior orders.
Tue, 2020-01-14
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has been informed that scammers are calling individuals with cases pending before the court, posing as court staff, and requesting that the victim provide his or her Social Security number. A court official or other government employee will never contact someone and demand personal information or payment by phone or email.
Residents of the Southern District of Indiana who believe they have been the victim of this scam are encouraged to report the incident to the District Court Clerk’s Office at 317-229-3700 and the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov. For additional information things to remember, who to call, and what to do if you are contacted by a scammer, view the Press Release.
Thu, 2019-04-25
On November 28, 2017, Chief U.S. District Judge Jane E. Magnus-Stinson and U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler warned the public of a nationwide scam in which individuals pose as government officials and claim the victim is about to be arrested for failing to appear for jury duty, failing to pay an IRS penalty, or defaulting on a legal or contractual obligation. Individuals are told that they can avoid arrest by paying a fine. The contact may be via telephone, email, or written correspondence. The Southern District of Indiana has become aware that in an attempt to make the scam more convincing, perpetrators are using the names of real government officials, including the name of Clerk Laura Briggs. Also, in some cases, the scammers are “spoofing” real courthouse phone numbers, making it appear as though the call is coming from the courthouse. Please be advised that the U.S. Courts do not operate in this way. Federal Court officials will never call or e-mail a member of the public to demand payment. Anyone receiving such a phone call or e-mail is welcome to call the District Court Clerk’s Office at 317-229-3700 to verify that the attempt to collect payment is a scam. The full press release is linked below.
Thu, 2026-05-14
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2071, Rule 83 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rule 57 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana hereby gives public notice of the following: The Local Rules Advisory Committee for the Southern District of Indiana has recommended, and the District Court has authorized release for a period of public comment through June 11, 2026, the revision of certain Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Please see Public Notice linked below for details.
Mon, 2026-03-02
The United States District Court, Bankruptcy Court, and Probation Office for the Southern District of Indiana and the Marion County Bar Association are excited to celebrate Women's History Month with a special event on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 2:00 pm. The hour-long program will be held in Courtroom 307 at the Birch Bayh Federal Building and United States Courthouse, 46 East Ohio Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. One hour of Continuing Legal Education credit is pending approval. Attendees are invited to enjoy a reception following the event. Registration is required. Please see the press release for further information.
Fri, 2026-02-06
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana is pleased to announce its 27th annual Black History Month event. This year's hour-long program, An Enduring Vision: 100 Years of Black History in the Southern District of Indiana, and Beyond, will be held in courtroom 202 at the Birch Bayh Federal Building and United States Courthouse on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM. A virtual option is available for those who cannot attend in person. One hour of Continuing Legal Education credit is pending approval. Please see the Press Release for more information.
Mon, 2026-02-02
After more than 15 years of dedicated service to the federal judiciary, United States Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore has notified Chief District Judge James R. Sweeney II of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana of his intention to retire on January 1, 2027. A Public Notice seeking applicants to fill the vacancy that will be created by Judge Dinsmore’s departure has been posted on the Southern District of Indiana’s website and can be accessed here: https://www.insd.uscourts.gov/employment-opportunities. See full Press Release linked below.
Fri, 2026-01-23
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana invites you to attend an important virtual training session for attorneys on modest means/pro bono representation of victims of domestic violence in Indiana. The session will be provided by Kerry Hyatt Bennett, Legal Counsel for the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV), on February 13, 2026, from 1:00pm – 2:30pm Eastern Time. Complete program details and registration information are available in the Press Release.
Mon, 2025-11-17
For most convicted felons returning to society, a simple desire to avoid recidivism isn't enough. That goal must be supported by inclusivity and accessibility to education, employment, housing, and social support services – all of which are crucial for a former inmate's successful reentry to society.
On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 2:00 pm, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana will host a conversation with two men who have experienced first-hand the importance of inclusivity and accessibility for formerly incarcerated individuals. Anne Kaiser, the court's supervisory Staff Attorney, will moderate a discussion with Mark Nicholson and John Vance, former Indiana Department of Correction inmates who have transitioned from incarceration to careers in the law. The event will take place in the William E. Steckler Ceremonial Courtroom (202) at the Birch Bayh Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 46 East Ohio Street, Indianapolis.
Mr. Nicholson is the owner and CEO of the Law Office of Mark Nicholson, where he specializes in criminal law, civil rights, personal injury, and family law. He is an adjunct professor at his alma mater, the Indiana University McKinney School of Law, where he teaches a course on prison law. A veteran, Mr. Nicholson serves on the Board of Directors for Helping Veterans and Families. He is a frequent public speaker, having presented on such topics as civil rights, prison, criminal justice, and the death penalty. Before opening his own law office, Mr. Nicholson was a law clerk and an attorney at the Public Defender of Indiana and an assistant supervisor at the Marion County Public Defender Agency.
John T. Vance is the Major Felony Paralegal Team Lead at the Marion County Public Defender Agency and a Juris Doctor candidate at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. He supports and trains a team of paralegals while contributing to litigation strategy for major felony cases. A frequent speaker and panelist on reentry, juvenile justice, and sentencing reform, John has been published in both professional and academic outlets, including Res Gestae (Indiana State Bar Association, 2025) and The Harbinger (N.Y.U. Review of Law & Social Change, 2022).
Both panelists will share stories of their paths to careers in the law, insights into the struggles of former inmates, the importance of inclusivity to successful reentry, and what judges, lawyers, and legal professionals can do to help formerly incarcerated individuals find fulfilling roles in our community. Welcome and introductory remarks will be made by Chief Judge James R. Sweeney II and The Hon. Frank Sullivan, Jr., Bicentennial Professor at the IU McKinney School of Law and former Indiana Supreme Court justice.
The event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Please register at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/DecemberCLE to reserve a space and indicate whether you will attend in person or virtually. Those attending virtually will receive the link upon registration, and again the day before the program with instructions on how to connect via Zoom. One hour of continuing legal education credit has been approved for this program.