The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1416, authored by Rep. Speedy and Rep. Kirchhofer, authorizing magistrates to perform additional judicial duties. The bill allows magistrates to: (1) approve and accept criminal plea agreements; (2) approve agreed settlements concerning civil matters; and (3) approve decrees of dissolution, settlement agreements, and any other agreements of the parties in domestic relations actions or paternity actions. The bill also continues the conversion of commissioners to magistrates in Marion County by authorizing the appointment of four full-time magistrates after December 31, 2015. Judge Oakes, Marion Superior Court, testified in support of the bill. The bill passed 11-0.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/house/1416.