The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 137 authored by Sen. Randolph and Sen. Tomes regarding magistrates and criminal trials. This bill requires the elected circuit or superior court judge, rather than a magistrate, to preside over a criminal trial or sentencing hearing if the defendant so requests in writing no later than 10 days after the omnibus date. An amendment was adopted by consent to remove the word “elected” to allow for other circumstances in which judges are placed on the bench. The bill was held for further review.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/senate/137.