The Senate Appropriations Committee heard HB 1303 on sex crimes and child safety sponsored by Sen. Clark and Sen. Carrasco and authored by Rep. McNamara. The bill raises the penalties for sex crimes against children to mirror federal law. The Committee amended the bill by consent to specify that the amber alert program applies to missing as well as abducted children. The amended … [Read more...] about Sex crimes and child safety
Criminal
Constitutional amendment concerning bail
The House Judiciary Committee heard SJ 1 on the constitutional amendment concerning bail sponsored by Rep. Jeter and authored by Sen. Koch and Sen. Bray. The resolution provides that an offense other than murder or treason is not bailable if: (1) the proof is evident or the presumption strong; and (2) the state proves by clear and convincing evidence that no release conditions will … [Read more...] about Constitutional amendment concerning bail
Bail procedures
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 2 on bail procedures sponsored by Rep. Jeter and authored by Sen. Freeman. The bill provides that offenses other than murder are not bailable if the state proves: (1) by a preponderance of the evidence that the proof is evident or the presumption strong; and (2) by clear and convincing evidence that the arrestee is dangerous and … [Read more...] about Bail procedures
Constitutional amendment ballot language
The House Judiciary Committee heard SB 3 on constitutional amendment ballot language sponsored by Rep. Jeter and authored by Sen. Koch and Sen. Freeman. The bill prescribes the ballot language for the proposed constitutional amendment concerning bail. The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council and Indiana Election Commission testified in support of the bill. The Indiana Public … [Read more...] about Constitutional amendment ballot language
Victim impact statements at sentencing
At a previous hearing, the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 9 on victim impact statements at sentencing sponsored by Rep. King and Rep. Morris and authored by Sen. Brown. The bill requires a defendant to be present in the courtroom while a victim makes a statement concerning the crime and the sentence unless the defendant presents a safety risk, causes a significant … [Read more...] about Victim impact statements at sentencing