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
Judicial Administration
Vanderburgh Circuit Court magistrate
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
Magistrates and criminal trials
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
Service of process fees collected by a sheriff
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 217 on service of process fees collected by a sheriff authored by Sen. Boots. This bill authorizes the sheriff to collect a fee of $25 (the current fee is $13) from a party requesting service of a writ, an order, a process, a notice, a tax warrant, or any other paper completed by the sheriff. The bill also removes the current limit on charging … [Read more...] about Service of process fees collected by a sheriff
Judicial retirement age
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 12, authored by Sen. Buck and Sen. Rogers, on judicial retirement age. This bill requires justices of the Supreme Court and judges of the Court of Appeals to retire at 80 years of age, instead of 75 years of age. The bill passed 5-4. Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/senate/12. … [Read more...] about Judicial retirement age