The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 261, sponsored by Rep. Cox, allowing interlocutory criminal appeals by the Attorney General of a trial court’s order dismissing charges. Author Sen. Young presented the bill that was amended in the Senate to add a subsection (b) which would allow the State to challenge the sentence imposed in any appeal by a defendant, even if t … [Read more...] about Appeals by the Attorney General
Judicial Administration
Marion County Small Claims
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 523, Sen. R. Michael Young’s bill to make changes to the Marion County Small Claims courts, sponsored by Rep. Frizzell. Sen. Young explained that decisions by the Indiana Supreme Court and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals on venue within the small claims court had adversely affected the caseload balances between the i … [Read more...] about Marion County Small Claims
State examiner, attorney general, and prosecuting attorneys
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1405 pertaining to state examiner, attorney general, and prosecuting attorneys, sponsored by Sen. Niemeyer. Author Rep. Slager explained that the bill authorizes concurrent criminal jurisdiction by the Attorney General and prosecuting attorney to prosecute certain violations committed by local public officers under the purview of the State … [Read more...] about State examiner, attorney general, and prosecuting attorneys
Magistrates
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1110 on magistrates sponsored by Sen. Steele and Sen. Grooms. Author Rep. Stemler introduced the bill stating the bill began as a request for a magistrate in Clark County but has been expanded to include all requests for magistrate positions this session. Magistrate positions included in this bill are in Clark, Greene, Madison, Marion, Porter … [Read more...] about Magistrates
Exemption of military reservists from jury duty
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1131 on exemption of military reservists from jury duty sponsored by Sen. Raatz. The bill provides an exemption from jury service to reservists while on military orders. Representatives from the Veterans Coalition of Indiana and the Disabled Veterans Association testified in support of the bill. The bill passed 9-0. Read the bill … [Read more...] about Exemption of military reservists from jury duty