The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 547 on veterans and courts. Author Sen. Zakas testified that the bill makes appropriations to the Indiana Judicial Center to assist in the development of veterans’ courts statewide. The bill also authorizes (1) veterans’ courts to accept individuals from another county, (2) mandates the establishment of a veterans’ court in each judicial distr … [Read more...] about Veterans and courts
Criminal
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
The House Judiciary Committee heard HB 1456, establishing the servicemembers civil relief act, authored by Reps. Zent, Moseley, and Carbaugh. The Indiana SCRA supplements protections for servicemembers provided for under the federal SCRA. Generally, the Indiana SCRA provides servicemembers rights and protections regarding consumer transactions, contracts, and contracts with specific … [Read more...] about Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
Deadly weapons
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 92, Sen. Schneider’s bill to enhance criminal penalties using deadly weapons. As introduced, the bill established sentencing enhancements of 5 to 20 years if a deadly weapon, not just a firearm as provided under current law, is possessed during the commission of all offenses against the person, arson for hire, resisting law … [Read more...] about Deadly weapons
Crimes involving deadly weapons
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 164, Sen. Patricia Miller’s bill on crimes involving deadly weapons. The bill prohibits expungement for a person who has two or more convictions involving the unlawful possession or use of a deadly weapon. After testimony for and against the bill from prosecutors and public defenders, the Committee amended the bill by a vote … [Read more...] about Crimes involving deadly weapons
Appeals by the Attorney General
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee resumed discussion of SB 261, on the appeals by the attorney general in criminal and juvenile cases. Author Sen. R. Michael Young presented two amendments that were consolidated into a single amendment and adopted. The amendment clarifies that the State may take an interlocutory appeal of the dismissal of part of the charges filed in … [Read more...] about Appeals by the Attorney General