The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1235 concerning drug offenses authored by Reps. Steuerwald, Koch, McNamara, Goodin. The bill makes a prior conviction of dealing in synthetic drugs an enhancing circumstance for the purpose of sentencing for dealing in controlled substances offenses and makes the minimum sentence for a Level 2 felony conviction under IC 35-48-4-1 … [Read more...] about Drug offenses
sentencing
Foreclosure mischief
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 183 concerning foreclosure mischief authored by Sen. Bray. Sen. Bray explained this bill addresses the issue of homeowners in foreclosure intentionally damaging their homes when leaving by establishing a Class A misdemeanor when a person knowingly or intentionally damages, permanently removes an object from, or defaces … [Read more...] about Foreclosure mischief
Domestic battery
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 198 concerning domestic battery authored by Sen. Crider. The author explained that this bill is a recodification bill attempting to clean up the domestic violence statutes and make them more usable and does not substantively alter the domestic violence laws. It specifically removes the sentencing enhancement for battery … [Read more...] about Domestic battery
Bureau of Motor Vehicles omnibus bill
The House Roads and Transportation Committee heard HB 1087 authored by Rep. Soliday on the Bureau of Motor Vehicles omnibus bill. The bill was heard in committee last week and testimony from the BMV and Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council was taken, but held for amendment. Rep. Soliday presented a technical corrections amendment which was approved by the committee. The bi … [Read more...] about Bureau of Motor Vehicles omnibus bill
Child exploitation and child pornography
The Senate Committee on Corrections & Criminal Law heard SB 14 authored by Sen. Head on child exploitation and child pornography. The bill (1) enhances those offenses by one level if the offense involves depiction of bestiality, a mentally disabled child, force or threat of force against the victim, or the victim receives a bodily injury while participating in the depicted … [Read more...] about Child exploitation and child pornography