The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1284 on self-defense and the defense of others, sponsored by Sen. Tomes. The bill provides immunity for a justified use of force in certain instances and requires a court to award, in certain instances, reasonable attorney's fees and costs to a defendant when the justified use of force immunity is successfully raised. The following testified … [Read more...] about Self-defense and the defense of others
Marion County magistrates
For vote only, the Senate Appropriations Committee heard HB 1332, sponsored by Sen. Merritt, allowing the Marion County superior courts to appoint 24 full-time Marion County magistrates after December 31, 2019, not more than 12 of whom may be from the same political party. The bill passed 9-1. Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2019/bills/house/1332 … [Read more...] about Marion County magistrates
Harassment and orders of protections
The Senate Committee on Courts and Criminal Law heard HB 1607 concerning harassment and orders for protection. The bill provides that a person who is a victim of harassment (as defined by I.C. 35-45-10-2) may file a petition for an order for protection against a person who commits harassment. An amendment was taken by consent to create a new type of protection order for harassment, … [Read more...] about Harassment and orders of protections
School bus safety
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 2 sponsored by Rep. Manning on school bus safety. This bill provides: an increase in the penalty for an individual who fails to stop when a school bus's stop arm is extended the court shall suspend the person's driving privileges for 90 days or if the person has committed at least one previous school bus arm offense, for one … [Read more...] about School bus safety
Vanderburgh County magistrates
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 114 sponsored by Rep. McNamara on Vanderburgh County magistrates, which allows the judge of the Vanderburgh circuit court to appoint an additional magistrate to serve the Vanderburgh circuit court and allows the judges of the Vanderburgh superior court to jointly appoint an additional magistrate to serve the Vanderburgh superior … [Read more...] about Vanderburgh County magistrates