The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1110, authored by Rep. Stemler and Rep. Steuerwald, adding a Clark circuit court magistrate. Lilia Judson, Executive Director of State Court Administration, provided background testimony on judicial weighted caseload measures. Judge Felts, Allen Circuit Court, and Judge Pera, Lake Superior Court, testified as to the duties and responsibilities of magistrates in the judicial system. Testimony in support of the bill was heard by Judge Carmichael, Clark Circuit Court #4, and Judge Weber, Clark Circuit Court #3, indicating the need for an additional judicial officer based on weighted caseload measures and that by the end of 2015 3 of 4 city courts in Clark County will have closed. The bill passed 11-0.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/house/1110.