During the months of March, April, May, and June 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, closed all Courthouses in the Southern District of Indiana to the public, 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 Orders. Plesae see General Order linked below outlining details regarding Civil Service by United States Marshals Service, In-Person Proceedings, Speedy Trial Act, and Naturalization Ceremonies.
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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.
On March 18, 2020 and March 20, 2020, the Court issued General Orders closing all Courthouses in the Southern District of Indiana to the public, finding that closure was warranted in light of the risks presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. To the extent this Order differs from previous orders of the Court on this subject, this Order supersedes and replaces those Orders. Please see General Order linked below outlining the details on courthouses reopening.
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.
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.
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.
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.
As a result of the current lapse in appropriations/government shutdown, effective Monday, October 20, 2025, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana will be unable to make invoice payments until such time as funding is restored.
Unless notified in writing by a contracting officer, all Judiciary contractors must continue to fulfill their contractual obligations to the Judiciary in the event of a government shutdown, i.e., contractors must continue to comply with all terms, conditions, and delivery and performance requirements specified in their contracts during the period covered by a lapse in appropriations. The District Court will resume payment for goods and services received immediately upon the passage of budget legislation or a continuing resolution is enacted by Congress.
Please review the District Court's Pre-Lapse in Appropriations Notice to Contractors for further information.
The U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana is issuing this notice to apprise contractors of Judiciary-wide plans regarding contract actions that may be necessary if contract funding is affected by a lapse in appropriations, better known as a federal government shutdown.
Unless notified in writing by a contracting officer, all Judiciary contractors must continue to fulfill their contractual obligations to the Judiciary in the event of a government shutdown, i.e., contractors must continue to comply with all terms, conditions, and delivery and performance requirements specified in their contracts during the period covered by a lapse in appropriations.
The Judiciary will not provide a separate notification or communication for contracts that will not be affected by the lapse in appropriations.
The budget for the 2026 fiscal year has not yet been enacted, which could result in a temporary loss of funding for contracted supplies and services and limit the Judiciary’s ability to manage its contracts.
If a government shutdown occurs, non-excepted government activities will cease and performance under contracts may be affected. A shutdown, a sovereign act of the government, may prevent contractors and the Judiciary from fulfilling their contractual obligations to each other due to circumstances beyond their control. In other cases, the government may cancel planned procurements, reduce the scope of contracts, stop work under contracts, or terminate contracts.
Should Judiciary contracting officers determine that any of these actions is necessary, or that contractors or the Judiciary will be unable to fulfill their obligations due to a shutdown, a contracting officer will provide contractors with prompt notice and instructions for each affected contract.
Thank you for your continued support and business with the federal Judiciary, and for your cooperation as we work together to manage a potential lapse in appropriations.
During the current lapse in federal appropriations, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana will remain open for business and will maintain sufficient staffing as necessary to continue to support the court's constitutional and statutory obligations. Absent further order, all trials and hearings will proceed as scheduled. Electronic case filing will remain available through CM/ECF and all filing deadlines will remain in effect.
INDIANAPOLIS (May 19, 2025) – The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana will team up with district courts across the country to co-host a virtual training session for attorneys to promote pro bono services to empower survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The program will take place on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 1:00pm EST. The virtual program is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Full program details and registration information can be found on the PDF Flyer.