High court appoints new member to commission on court appointed attorneys
The Indiana Supreme Court appointed a new member to the Indiana Commission on Court Appointed Attorneys Thursday.
Indiana Public Defender Commission
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Diving into data: Prosecutors say new high-tech crime units will be beneficial; public defenders not so sure
With a total two-year appropriation of $6 million from the state, the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council is working with local prosecuting offices to establish 10 high-tech crime units that will be able to process and analyze digital evidence collected by law enforcement starting in 2022.
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‘Money on the table’: One in five counties abstain from federal payback for child welfare defense
Indiana’s counties collectively earn hundreds of thousands of dollars annually from the federal government in child welfare-related public defense reimbursements — but could earn more if all 92 chose to take part.
Indiana to pilot return to reimbursement for misdemeanor public defenders
The increasing cost of public defenders for misdemeanor cases is each county’s own problem. Indiana hasn’t reimbursed for those services in nearly three decades. That’s about to change.
Misdemeanor reimbursement bill gets thumbs up from IN Senate Judiciary Committee
A proposed bill that would establish a seven-county pilot program for misdemeanor reimbursement of public defender offices passed its first legislative test Wednesday.
Misdemeanor reimbursement pilot program included in new Senate bill: 7 counties could take part in new program under SB 179
A piece of proposed legislation introduced in this year’s short, nonbudget session is taking a different approach to misdemeanor reimbursement and includes a new pilot program for select counties.
Rule amendment: 5 municipal courts abolished in 2023, 1 reestablished in 2024
Five municipal courts were abolished in 2023 and one was reestablished in 2024, according to a Thursday order from the Indiana Supreme Court.
Juvenile pilot showing results: Marion Co. juvenile delinquency pilot responds well in early stages
After a nearly two-year pilot program, the Marion County Early Intervention Team and the Indiana Public Defender Commission say the initiative has shown promising early results.
Attorneys hard to find for prosecutor, public defender openings: Shortage of public attorneys leaves offices scrambling to manage caseloads
At the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office, full workforce capacity would consist of a staff of 29 deputy prosecutors, a chief deputy prosecutor and Vicki Becker, the county’s prosecuting attorney. Becker said her office currently has 18 attorneys.
Misdemeanor funding coming back to defenders? Public defender offices hoping for restoration of misdemeanor reimbursement funding
As staff shortages collide with overflowing caseloads, chief public defenders around the state are keeping a close eye on new funding proposed by Gov. Eric Holcomb that would reimburse public defender offices for handling misdemeanor cases.
Bill clarifying limits on child sex abuse victim depositions clears IN Senate committee
Continuing a conversation that began in 2020, an Indiana Senate committee has endorsed a bill that would further clarify the restriction on depositions of alleged child sex abuse victims.
Supreme Court approves minimum fee schedule for state, appointed public defenders
The Indiana Supreme Court has approved a proposed schedule of minimum fees for the state’s public defenders appointed in trial and appellate cases.
Justices make reappointments to public defender commission, Supreme Court rules and practice committee
Three judges and a lawyer have been secured for continued years of service on various commissions and committees.
Holcomb makes appointments to public defender, civic education commissions
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb recently appointed members of the Hoosier legal community to the state’s Public Defender Commission and a newly created Indiana Civic Education Commission.
Indy lawyers reappointed to Public Defender Commission, including commission chair
Two Indianapolis attorneys have been reappointed by Gov. Eric Holcomb to sit on the Indiana Public Defender Commission.
Data shows Indiana has lawyer shortage; public sector feeling the pain
About a decade out from the Great Recession — when law schools were criticized for oversaturating the job market— the situation, at least for the public sector in Indiana, appears to have gone in reverse.
Public Defender Commission seeks public input on proposals for lower caseloads, higher pay
The Indiana Public Defender Commission is proposing new standards that would significantly cut the caseloads and increase the pay for attorneys who represent adults and juveniles accused of criminal offenses.
Public defenders request proposals for helping at-risk youth and families
The Indiana Public Defender Commission is calling for proposals of projects that will help improve the assistance offered to children and families involved in the child welfare system and prevent involvement altogether.
IndyBar Mourns Loss of Past President
The Indianapolis Bar Association is saddened to note the passing of 1990 IndyBar President Don Buttrey. Buttrey passed away on April 24, 2021.
Public defender report underscores need for additional resources
The Indiana Public Defender Commission last month released an analysis of caseloads in Indiana, showing disparities between actual and ideal workloads. That data has led public defense experts to one conclusion: there’s still work to be done to ensure indigent Hoosiers receive quality defense.
Report: Indiana public defender caseload standards likely too high
Caseload standards imposed by the Indiana Public Defender Commission are likely higher than the caseloads public defenders should carry, meaning current practices do not give public defenders sufficient time to provide effective representation.