In September, forty-eight judges and one Supreme Court staff attorney visited schools across the state in celebration of Constitution Day. September 17, 2013 marked the 226th anniversary of the 1787 signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia. For decades September 17th was noted on calendars as “Citizenship Day,” but rarely received much attention. That all changed in 2004 when Senator Robert Byrd of West Vir … [Read more...] about Celebrating Constitution Day
Cover Stories
Juvenile Law: Special Edition – Introduction
The Indiana Court Times Editorial Board is pleased to present this special edition on Juvenile Law. Traditionally, Court Times includes stories and information on a variety of topics, but the Board decided our readers would appreciate a special issue dedicated to how the courts serve children in our state. There are many exciting initiatives underway designed to improve the courts’ interaction with children. This s … [Read more...] about Juvenile Law: Special Edition – Introduction
Veteran's Court: Restorative Justice
The first defendant called on the Initial Hearing docket is a 25-year old, well-mannered and well-groomed, male who stands at attention, but his eye contact is distant and blank. He is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class D Felony. Service members who run afoul of the law in returning to civilian life are appearing before Indiana’s courts at a greater frequency due to the Iraq and Afghanistan w … [Read more...] about Veteran's Court: Restorative Justice
Lawmakers Boost Public Defense Funding
The Constitution of the United States and the Indiana Constitution require that indigent criminal and other defendants be provided adequate legal representation. In Indiana, the fiscal responsibility for this service falls primarily on county governments. In 2012, the total public defense costs in Indiana were in excess of $71 million. Through the state Indiana Public Defense Fund, counties receive partial … [Read more...] about Lawmakers Boost Public Defense Funding
Reclaiming Revenue: How Odyssey helps counties collect outstanding fines and court costs
Each year, millions of dollars in fines and courts costs charged to defendants in Indiana’s courts go unpaid, often leaving courts and clerks with little recourse for collecting those debts. Some people simply forget that they got that speeding ticket; others cannot come up with the money to pay that fine on time; and others simply ignore the court’s order. Their lives go on, the fines and costs remain unpaid, the cou … [Read more...] about Reclaiming Revenue: How Odyssey helps counties collect outstanding fines and court costs