The House Courts & Criminal Code Committee heard Rep. Washburne’s HB 1405 increasing the amount of public defense reimbursements that may be requested by a county auditor for indigent defense services in noncapital cases from 40% to 50% and extending the coverage to include services provided in misdemeanor cases. The bill also provides monies from the state general fund may be us … [Read more...] about Public defense reimbursements
Judicial Administration
Mortgage foreclosure and education filing fee
The Senate Committee on Public Policy heard Sen. Merritt’s SB 227 removes the July 1, 2017 expiration of the $50 mortgage foreclosure and education filing fee paid by a creditor/plaintiff when filing a new mortgage foreclosure case. Several nonprofit organizations from around Indiana testified in support of the bill and gave detailed descriptions of the programs and services that h … [Read more...] about Mortgage foreclosure and education filing fee
Rehabilitation progress and recidivism reporting
The House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code heard Rep. Steuerwald’s HB 1349 on rehabilitation progress and recidivism reporting. Indiana Office of Court Services Executive Director Jane Seigel, who serves as chair of the Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council (JRAC), explained that the bill specifies the types of data to be given by criminal justice entities to the DOC for co … [Read more...] about Rehabilitation progress and recidivism reporting
Appointment of magistrates
The House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code heard Rep. Speedy’s HB 1625 on appointment of magistrates. Rep. Speedy explained that this bill continues a multi-year program to convert Marion Superior commissioner positions into magistrate appointments. The bill increases the number of authorized Marion Superior magistrates from 16 to 20. Marion Superior Judge Tim Oakes testified i … [Read more...] about Appointment of magistrates
Marion County judicial selection
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1036 on Marion County judicial selection authored by Reps. Steuerwald and Bosma. The bill provides for merit selection of the Marion County trial court judges, outlines the members of the selection committee, and appointment and retention process. The Committee adopted by consent a technical amendment. Testimony on the … [Read more...] about Marion County judicial selection