Senate OKs bill banning release of details in child deaths
The Indiana Senate has unanimously approved a bill that would ban the release of details in child neglect or abuse deaths to safeguard criminal cases.
Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council
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Attorney-photographer loses suit against IPAC director
A McCordsville attorney and hobbyist photographer who has sued dozens of people for the alleged infringement of his photo of the Indianapolis skyline has lost key rulings in the most recent order in his various cases.
St. Joseph prosecutor Cotter named IPAC chairman
St. Joseph County prosecutor Kenneth P. Cotter has begun his term as chairman of the board of directors of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council.
Fixed-plea modification bill passes legislature
A bill meant to codify longstanding sentencing practices related to modification of plea agreements is headed to the governor after it passed the Indiana House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Civil forfeiture reform bill passes Senate
A bill that would overhaul Indiana’s civil forfeiture framework has passed the Indiana Senate. The legislation is in response to a federal court ruling that struck down part of Indiana’s civil forfeiture statute as unconstitutional.
Fixed plea modifications at heart of legislation, Supreme Court case
When a court accepts a fixed-sentence plea agreement, prosecutors and defenders alike say the long-standing practice has been for courts to uphold the exact terms of that sentence, absent an agreement between the parties. A recent Indiana Court of Appeals ruling, however, has seemingly put an end to that practice, leading to both a legislative and judicial review of the sentencing issue.
Child support network faces fear of collapse
Several times while talking about the statewide computer system that keeps track of child support money, John Owens rapped his knuckles on the nearest piece of wood. Indiana’s technology, dubbed ISETS, processes almost $1 billion in child support payments every year. However, the Department of Child Services says in a report that ISETS is “built on dying technology” from the 1980s. The concern is one day, it will crash for good.
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.
Prosecutors hail new DNA, anti-drug laws
Indiana prosecutors joined Gov. Eric Holcomb Thursday as he signed two bills prosecutors said are essential to law enforcement’s ability to build criminal cases.
Prosecutors want pretrial release rule withdrawn
More than a month after the Indiana Supreme Court approved a rule that encourages state courts to release low-risk arrestees without bail, Indiana prosecutors are asking the justices to reconsider.
Prosecutors push back against new bail rule
The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council has come out against Indiana Criminal Procedure Rule 26, which sets parameters for the use of bail as a condition of release from incarceration.
Some police, prosecutors back tougher cold-medicine law
Some Indiana police agencies say their fight against methamphetamine production would be helped by a proposed state law change to require a doctor’s prescription for a common cold medicine that is used to make the illegal drug.
Prosecutors want ban on over-the-counter pseudoephedrine
Prosecutors urged Indiana legislators Wednesday to ban over-the-counter sales of a common cold medicine used to make methamphetamines and stiffen sentences for convicted drug dealers.
IPAC legislative agenda to target meth, heroin-related crime
The Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council will announce legislative goals Wednesday, including targeting serious drug dealers driving increases in meth labs, pharmacy robberies, heroin overdoses and violent crime.
Funeral Friday for former IPAC leader
The funeral for Stephen Johnson, the attorney who led the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council for nearly 15 years, will be held Friday in Indianapolis.
Former head of Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council dies
Stephen Johnson, the former executive director of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, passed away unexpectedly Sunday. Johnson was with the organization for nearly 40 years before retiring in 2011.
New IPAC leader named
Longtime prosecutor David N. Powell from Greene County is the newest leader of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council.
Applicants vie to become next IPAC director
A four-person search committee continues reviewing applications of individuals who have expressed interest in becoming the next Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council director. About 20 people have applied to take over the post after the agency’s current leader, Stephen Johnson, retires Aug. 1.
IPAC director retiring Aug. 1
The longtime leader of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council is retiring Aug. 1, leaving the statewide agency he’s been with for more than three decades.