Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2071, Rule 83 of the Federal Rules of Civil 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 15, 2022, the revision of certain Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. For details, please click on the link 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.
Wed, 2022-03-02
Pursuant to unanimous votes by the Facility Security Committees for the federal courthouses in the Southern District of Indiana, Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt today issued a General Order, effective March 7, 2022, stating that people are recommended, but no longer required, to wear face coverings or maintain physical distance while entering and occupying the public spaces of the federal courthouses in the Southern District of Indiana. All members of the public entering the courthouses will be asked health screening questions by the court security officers.
The General Order contains provisions allowing tenant agencies in the courthouses to determine the face covering and social distancing policies in their own spaces. Judges have the authority to determine such policies in their courtrooms, chambers, and any other spaces in which a court proceeding is being conducted, including at naturalization ceremonies.
All persons summoned for jury service, and court staff interacting with such persons, must wear face coverings while in rooms and public spaces designated for juror check-in, orientation, and related activities until such persons enter a courtroom, at which time the rules and requirements of the presiding Judge take effect.
The Court will continue to accept filings from pro se litigants via email. Information on how to do so can be found in a previous General Order. Drop boxes for filings also remain accessible at all courthouses.
The District Court has also created a COVID-19 response page on its website that contains all orders, press releases, and other information regarding Court operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 response page will be updated with the above changes on Monday, March 7, 2022.
Mon, 2022-01-31
After more than 13 years of dedicated service to the federal judiciary, United States Magistrate Judge Debra McVicker Lynch has notified Chief District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana of her intention to retire on October 31, 2022. Please click on the Press Release link below for more information and details regarding the Magistrate Judge vacancy.
Fri, 2022-01-14
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana is pleased to announce Jimmie McMillian, Senior Corporate Counsel and Chief Diversity Officer for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, NTT Indy Car Series, and IMS Productions, as the speaker at its 23rd annual Black History Month event. This year's hour-long program, The Struggle that Made Us: The Journeys of African American Leaders from Personal Failure to Triumph, will be held virtually on Friday, February 18, 2022, at 2:00 PM. Full details and registration information can be found in the Press Release.
Mon, 2021-12-06
Indianapolis, Indiana (December 6, 2021): The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana is pleased to announce five Indiana finalists from the District Court's Bill of Rights student competition. Students from across the Southern District of Indiana submitted essays, poems, art, and videos expressing their thoughts on the importance of the Bill of Rights and its meaning in their lives. The Court received many wonderful submissions, and the decision was difficult. All students who entered a submission are to be congratulated for their effort. For a full list of winners, please see the Press Release.
Thu, 2021-11-04
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has determined there is an immediate need to amend Local Rule 5-3 – Eligibility, Registration, Passwords for Electronic Filing; Exemption from Electronic Filing; Local Rule 83-5 – Bar Admission; and Local Rule 83-6 – Pro Hac Vice Admission. The amendments linked below are effective as of November 8, 2021.
Mon, 2021-10-25
The Court has considered the recommendation of the Local Rules Advisory Committee that the revision of certain Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana be adopted, and the Clerk issued a Public Notice on September 20, 2021, regarding the proposed amendments. The Court has considered the proposed amendments and the comments received. Therefore, 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 that the following amendments to the Local Rules of this Court are adopted, effective December 1, 2021.
Fri, 2021-10-01
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (October 1, 2021): During the month of October, the United States Courts of Appeals along with the United States District Courts for the Seventh and Eighth Circuits are hosting a Bill of Rights Day contest and we want YOU to be a part of it!
School aged children (grades 3-12) in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin are invited to submit an essay, poem, video, photograph, song, or piece of art on the importance of the Bill of Rights. Be as creative as you like! Complete information and contest rules can be found at https://judiciallearningcenter.org/bill-of-rights-day/.
A grand prize winner from each of the three age groups (Grades 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12) will be awarded a $500 cash prize, and have their name and submission shared on the websites of the participating United States District Courts. Semi-finalists from Indiana will receive an electronic gift card valued at $50.
Submissions will be accepted until 5:00pm on Sunday, October 31.
Semi-finalists will be notified before Thanksgiving and grand prize winners will be announced at a special virtual event for families on the enduring rights afforded to Americans by the Bill of Rights. The virtual event will take place on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 6pm Central/7pm Eastern. The virtual event is open to all families and fans of American civics. You do not need to enter the contest to attend. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. To register, visit https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_pYc-8ybhSMCKwiz6hgC6uA.
For questions, please contact Mary Giorgio, Outreach Coordinator for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, at mary_giorgio@insd.uscourts.gov or via phone at 317-229-3711.
Mon, 2021-09-20
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 October 20, 2021, the revision of certain Local Rules of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Please click the link below for details.
Thu, 2021-09-16
Press Release
Court Historical Society Announces Fall 2021 CLE Programs
INDIANAPOLIS (September 16, 2021) – From reflections on a landmark housing discrimination case, to a roundtable discussion featuring former U.S. Attorneys, to the life and times of 19th century judges, the 14th Annual Court History and Continuing Legal Education Symposium promises to be one of the most interesting yet!
Three separate one-hour sessions will be held in October, November, and December. Registrations are currently being accepted for virtual participation; in-person availability will be opened to registered participants at a later date by invitation, depending on the need for social distancing. The CLE programs have been organized by the Historical Society of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and are sponsored by the Court. The line-up is as follows:
October 29, 2021 – 2pm ET
Jessie Woodbridge v. Evansville Housing Authority: A Landmark Public Housing Discrimination Case
November 19, 2021 – 2pm ET
Annual Roundtable: Federal Criminal Prosecutions & the Role of the U.S. Attorney
December 9, 2021 – 2pm ET
The Life and Times of 19th Century Federal Judges Jesse Lynch Holman & David McDonald
Complete details on each program are available on the Court's website. CLE Credit is pending approval for each session. Registration is required for each event, and space is limited. Links to join each event will only be shared with those who have registered. RSVP requests can be emailed to insd_cle@insd.uscourts.gov.
Members of the Historical Society of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana receive complimentary registration. For non-members wishing to attend, the registration fee is $50 for attorneys and includes access to all three CLEs and a one-year membership to the Court's Historical Society. Teachers and government employees may attend any program at no cost, and discounted memberships are available to students and the public. Full membership information and fee details can be found here.