Judicial Administration

The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1367, authored by Rep. Ubelhor, adding a Greene County courts magistrate. Lilia Judson, Executive Director of State Court Administration, provided background testimony on judicial weighted caseload measures. Judge Felts, Allen Circuit Court, and Judge Pera, Lake Superior Court, testified on behalf of the Indiana Judges … [Read more...] about Greene County courts magistrate

The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1416, authored by Rep. Speedy and Rep. Kirchhofer, authorizing magistrates to perform additional judicial duties. The bill allows magistrates to: (1) approve and accept criminal plea agreements; (2) approve agreed settlements concerning civil matters; and (3) approve decrees of dissolution, settlement agreements, and any other … [Read more...] about Magistrates

The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 122 authored by Sen. Becker and Sen. Tomes, pertaining to a Vanderburgh Circuit Court magistrate. The bill was prepared by the Interim Study Committee on the Courts and Judiciary. This bill authorizes the Vanderburgh Circuit Court to add a second magistrate. This matter was heard and approved last year by this Committee but was held for … [Read more...] about Vanderburgh Circuit Court magistrate

The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 137 authored by Sen. Randolph and Sen. Tomes regarding magistrates and criminal trials. This bill requires the elected circuit or superior court judge, rather than a magistrate, to preside over a criminal trial or sentencing hearing if the defendant so requests in writing no later than 10 days after the omnibus date. An amendment was adopted … [Read more...] about Magistrates and criminal trials