Panel backs banning local restrictions on Airbnb rentals
The Indiana Legislature could again consider prohibiting cities and towns from putting restrictions on short-term rental services such as Airbnb.
Indiana General Assembly
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Justices rule state immune to ex-IDEM worker’s whistleblower claim
A divided Indiana Supreme Court has found that the state is immune from a non-tort claim made by a former state employee under the Indiana False Claims and Whistleblower Protection Act.
Probate bar proposes legislation to permit electronic signatures on wills
In an increasingly digital world, the legal ritual of a person signing a last will and testament before two witnesses who attest to the signer’s capacity may be evolving. Lawmakers next year will consider a proposal to allow electronic signatures on wills and other trust and estate documents.
Committee to continue discussions on impact of criminal code reform
Indiana lawmakers will continue to learn more about the effect criminal code reform has had on the state’s criminal justice system when the Interim Study Committee on Corrections and Criminal Code meets for its third meeting this week.
Draft civil forfeiture reform bill gets committee endorsement, but with opposition
A preliminary draft of proposed legislation that would revamp Indiana’s civil forfeiture law has been endorsed by members of a summer study committee, but not without concerns raised by lawmakers.
4 counties receive initial approval for new magistrates, courts
Four Indiana counties will be able to make their case to the Indiana General Assembly for additional judicial resources after a legislative study committee gave a positive recommendation to their requests for additional judges and courts.
Committee members to discuss need for new courts, judicial officers at final meeting
Indiana lawmakers will gather for the final meeting of the Interim Study Committee on Courts and the Judiciary this week, when they will address the need for new courts or judicial officers throughout the state.
Public defenders decry growing caseloads
As the number of children in need of services cases continues to rise, public defenders across Indiana are stretching themselves to be able to offer competent representation while also serving as many clients as possible. Defenders are likewise feeling a strain on their misdemeanor caseloads.
New limits proposed for civil forfeiture
After a federal judge ruled part of Indiana’s civil forfeiture framework unconstitutional, state lawmakers are now reviewing proposed legislation to bring that framework in compliance with federal mandates and prosecutors’ suggestions.
Lawmakers hear proposals for increased indigent defense funding
Public defenders from across the state came to the Indiana Statehouse Thursday to share their concerns about what they see as crisis in the state’s judiciary – the increasing difficulty their offices face to comply with caseload suggestions as more and more filings hit their desks.
Report: Sentencing overhaul hasn’t meant big Indiana savings
A report to Indiana lawmakers shows the state hasn't seen significant savings from an overhaul of criminal sentencing laws aimed at sending fewer people convicted of nonviolent crimes to prison.
Untested rape exam kits number thousands in Indiana
Like many states, Indiana has a problem — mountains of untested rape exam kits in local law enforcement agencies that contain DNA evidence potentially identifying sex offenders. Indiana’s backlog of untested kits is certainly in the thousands. Victim advocates say the question is, how many thousands?
Criminal code reform packs jails with Level 6 felony inmates
Nearly half the people housed in Indiana jails were there on a low-level felony charge, and in some counties, this population by itself exceeded the capacity of local jails.
Study committees to look at cost savings for DOC, indigent defense services
Indiana lawmakers will continue their discussions about various topics affecting the legal profession and law enforcement when two interim study committees reconvene next week.
Indiana officials consider ridding of handgun carry licenses
Indiana police officials say a proposal to eliminate the state's handgun carry license requirement for civilians could result in a loss of revenue.
Criminal code reform review: Low-level felonies soar, jails feel brunt
The number of people serving time in local jails instead of the Department of Correction on low-level felony convictions rose 177 percent in the two years since Indiana’s criminal code reform took effect, and 28 percent more were people convicted of the new Level 6 felony compared to the prior Class D felony.
Legislators begin discussions on constitutional carry in Indiana
Legislators heard testimony for five hours Tuesday on whether Indiana should do away with the requirement for people to obtain a license to carry a concealed handgun in public.
Study committees looking at civil forfeiture, constitutional carry
With a little more than four months until the start of the 2018 Indiana General Assembly, lawmakers are back to work to consider two high-profile issues being closely watched by law enforcement and prosecutors throughout the state: civil forfeiture and constitutional carry — the proposition that people should be able to carry handguns without a license.
Study committee to begin constitutional carry discussions Tuesday
Indiana lawmakers will return to the Statehouse Tuesday for the first of three discussions about one of the most controversial issues being considered by a summer study committee this year – constitutional carry, or the belief that a person should be able to carry a handgun without a license.
Alcohol commission begins work, looks at retail permits
The Statehouse will again be talking liquor as the Indiana Alcohol Code Revision Commission holds its first hearing Tuesday.