On March 11, 2025, the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard HB 1006 on prosecutors. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Freeman and Sen. Carrasco and authored by Rep. Jeter. Sen. Freeman presented the bill, which provides a special prosecutor unit, a prosecutor review board, and a public prosecution fund. It sets guidelines and standards that allow counties to be eligible … [Read more...] about Prosecutors
Judicial Administration
Courts and court officers
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1144 on courts and court officers sponsored by Sen. Brown. Author Rep. Jeter gave background on the bill, which adds two new superior courts in Hamilton County (No. 8 and No. 9). The new Hamilton County judges will be elected during the November 2026 general election, take office on January 1, 2027, and serve a term of six years. In addition, … [Read more...] about Courts and court officers
Civil legal aid fund
The House Judiciary Committee heard SB 222 on the civil legal aid fund sponsored by Rep. Jeter. Author Sen. Carrasco introduced the bill, explaining that it limits how a legal services provider may use funds from the civil legal aid fund. The bill also relocates a provision concerning fund distribution, repeals the distribution formula of the civil legal aid fund statute, and … [Read more...] about Civil legal aid fund
Pro bono legal services fee
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1478 on pro bono legal services fee sponsored by Senator Koch. Author Rep. Zimmerman summarized the bill noting that there is currently a $1.00 fee charged when certain civil actions are filed. The fee is transmitted to the Indiana Bar Foundation to assist in their funding pro bono legal services in Indiana. It does not fund any attorneys but … [Read more...] about Pro bono legal services fee
Town and city court judges
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HJ 1 on town and city court judges, sponsored by Sen. Brown and authored by Rep. Aylesworth. Rep. Aylesworth introduced the bill which would permit the judge of a city or town court to reside in either 1.) the county in which the city or town court is located; or 2.) in the bordering Indiana county that is closest to the location of the … [Read more...] about Town and city court judges