The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1097 authored by Rep. Abbott regarding criminal penalties. The bill provides that a person who discharges a firearm in an unsafe manner and creates a substantial risk of bodily injury or death to a person or group of persons in the immediate vicinity of where the firearm is shot commits a Level 5 felony. The bill provides that a … [Read more...] about Criminal penalties
sentencing
Human trafficking
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1200 authored by Rep. McNamara regarding human trafficking. The bill modifies the definition of "protected person" for purposes of the admission of a statement or videotape of an individual who is less than 14 years of age at the time of the offense. The bill removes the requirement that money paid for a human trafficking victim … [Read more...] about Human trafficking
Juvenile justice
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 368 authored by Sen. Tallian regarding juvenile justice. The bill requires the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute to track the number of children committed to jail. The bill repeals the juvenile direct file statute, increases the age at which a court may waive juveniles in certain circumstances, and makes certain firearm … [Read more...] about Juvenile justice
Sentencing
On January 27, 2021, the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1202 authored by Rep. McNamara and Rep. Morris regarding sentencing. The bill provides that the department of correction shall identify an inmate to the parole board and provide the parole board with the inmate's offender progress report as soon as practicable after the inmate has been confined to the … [Read more...] about Sentencing
Domestic battery enhancement
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 79 concerning domestic battery enhancement authored by Sen. Crider. The bill enhances the penalty for domestic battery when the offender has a prior conviction for strangulation against the same family or household member. Testimony was presented in favor of the bill by the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council and the … [Read more...] about Domestic battery enhancement