The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 292 concerning St. Joseph County courts authored and presented by Sen. Zakas. The bill adds additional magistrates for the circuit court and superior court. The Committee adopted an amendment by consent to section 1 of the bill to provide that political affiliation could not be considered in appointing the magistrates. Judge Jenny Pitts Ma … [Read more...] about St. Joseph County courts
Judicial Administration
Court fees
The Senate Judiciary Committee also heard SB 409 concerning court fees authored and presented by Sen. Merritt. The bill reinstates the mortgage foreclosure counseling and education court fee of $50 until July 1, 2017. Elizabeth Dalton, Division of State Court Administration, testified in support and explained to the Committee how a portion of these fees provide court facilitators. … [Read more...] about Court fees
Veterans and courts
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 547 on veterans and courts. Author Sen. Zakas testified that the bill makes appropriations to the Indiana Judicial Center to assist in the development of veterans’ courts statewide. The bill also authorizes (1) veterans’ courts to accept individuals from another county, (2) mandates the establishment of a veterans’ court in each judicial distr … [Read more...] about Veterans and courts
Circuit court clerks
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard Rep. Richardson’s HB 1373 on circuit court clerks. This bill requires a fee for filing a petition with a court for the expungement of a person's record of arrest or conviction. It also requires a person who requests a circuit court clerk to send an additional mailing by registered or certified mail to provide an addressed envelope w … [Read more...] about Circuit court clerks
Court fees
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1425, authored by Rep. McMillin and Rep. Steuerwald, on court fees. The automated record keeping fee is currently $7, but will decrease to $5 on July 1, 2015. This bill increases the automated record keeping fee collected after June 30, 2015 to $9. This bill also provides that 100% of the automated record keeping fee is … [Read more...] about Court fees