The Senate Judiciary Committee heard Sen. Bray’s SB 507 on attorney and judicial discipline complaints. This bill permits a prosecuting attorney and a public defender to seek reimbursement from the State Tort Claim Fund for reasonable attorney's fees incurred in defending against a claim of attorney misconduct if the alleged misconduct relates to the person's official duties or s … [Read more...] about Attorney and judicial discipline complaints
Judicial Administration
Marion County Small Claims
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard Sen. R. Michael Young’s SB 523 on the Marion County Small Claims courts. This bill replaces the existing Marion county township small claims court system with a county-wide small claims court system having nine divisions and only three townships can hear debt collection cases. It also provides that the judges of the small claims court shall be e … [Read more...] about Marion County Small Claims
Exemption of military reservists from jury duty
The House Judiciary Committee heard HB 1131 concerning exemption of military reservists from jury duty authored by Rep. Hamm and Rep. Saunders. Rep. Hamm presented the bill that provides an exemption from jury service for individuals on reserve duty while on military orders. Representatives of the Veterans Coalition of Indiana, the Disabled Veterans Association, gave supporting … [Read more...] about Exemption of military reservists from jury duty
Address confidentiality
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 90 concerning address confidentiality authored and presented by Sen. Steele. The bill was amended by the Committee and includes judicial officers within the definition of a law enforcement official for purposes of these provisions to allow law enforcement officials the ability to require public agencies, via an application, to keep the … [Read more...] about Address confidentiality
Madison circuit court magistrate
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 150 authored by Sen. Lanane creating an additional Madison circuit court magistrate. Madison Circuit Court Judges Clem and Happe testified to the need for an additional judicial officer to handle the circuit court’s workload. Sen. Tallian offered an amendment adding a magistrate position to the Porter Circuit Court. The amendment was adopted b … [Read more...] about Madison circuit court magistrate