The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee resumed discussion of SB 261, on the appeals by the attorney general in criminal and juvenile cases. Author Sen. R. Michael Young presented two amendments that were consolidated into a single amendment and adopted. The amendment clarifies that the State may take an interlocutory appeal of the dismissal of part of the charges filed in … [Read more...] about Appeals by the Attorney General
Human trafficking and asset forfeiture
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 375, authored by Sens. Houchin and Head, on human trafficking and asset forfeiture. This bill allows a law enforcement agency to seize real or personal property, including a vehicle that is used by a person to commit, attempt to commit, or conspire to commit, facilitate the commission of; or escape from the commission of; an offense … [Read more...] about Human trafficking and asset forfeiture
Shotguns
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 433, authored by Sens. Tomes and Waltz, on shotguns. This bill repeals the prohibition against manufacturing, importing, selling, or possessing a sawed-off shotgun. It also provides for a 10-year sentence enhancement if a person possesses a sawed-off shotgun in violation of federal law while committing certain offenses. The National Rifle … [Read more...] about Shotguns
Crime fighting pilot
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 551, Sen. Waltz’s bill to establish crime fighting pilot projects in Marion, Lake, and Allen Counties, with an annual appropriation of $200,000 for each of the counties to be used only to pay overtime for officers assigned to a high crime district. Law enforcement officers from the chosen counties testified in support of the … [Read more...] about Crime fighting pilot
Crimes of violence
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 559, Sen. R. Michael Young’s bill to make a number of changes to crimes of violence. Sen. Young explained that the bill adds unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon to the definition of "crimes of violence." The bill establishes new caps for consecutive sentences that result from a single episode of c … [Read more...] about Crimes of violence