The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 100, sponsored by Rep. Mayfield, on patronizing a prostitute. The bill renames the crime of patronizing a prostitute to making an unlawful proposition. A prosecutor explained that victims can be offended by the present crime definition characterizing them as a prostitute. The bill passed 9-0. Read the bill at: h … [Read more...] about Patronizing a prostitute
Plea agreements and sentencing
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 120, sponsored by Rep. Steuerwald, on plea agreements and sentencing. The bill repeals Ind. Code § 35-35-3-3(b)’s provision that a felony plea agreement, the presentence investigation for it, and the hearing are not part of “’the official record of the case” unless the court approves the agreement. It also repeals Ind. Code § 35-3 … [Read more...] about Plea agreements and sentencing
Victim notification
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 239 on victim notification. Sponsor Rep. Friend explained that the bill provides that if the discharge or release date of an offender is changed during the 40-day notification period before an offender's planned discharge or release, the Department of Correction shall notify the victim as soon as possible but not more than 48 … [Read more...] about Victim notification
Animal protective orders and wireless service providers
The House Judiciary Committee heard SB 323, sponsored by Reps. McNamara, Hamilton, and Lehman, on animal protective orders and wireless service providers. This bill permits a court to order the transfer of a wireless telephone number as part of a protection order. The bill was amended to permit a judge to include the petitioner’s animals in a protection order, treating them as pe … [Read more...] about Animal protective orders and wireless service providers
Department of Correction wardens
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard Sen. Tomes present SB 387 sponsored by Rep. Washburne, changing the Indiana Code references from superintendent to Department of Correction wardens. The bill passed 10-0. Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/bills/senate/387 … [Read more...] about Department of Correction wardens