By St. Joseph County Judge Andre Gammage According to a database of laws compiled by the American Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section, “collateral consequences” all too often regulate the lives of people with criminal records, dictating where they work, where and with whom they live, and how they spend their time. As a result, after they have served their sentences, and long after they have finished probation o … [Read more...] about A Fresh Start
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On-Site Video Legal Services
Innovations in Lawrence Township Small Claims Court By Bob Rath, Chief Innovation Officer | Innovation Initiative Judge Kimberly Bacon has served on the bench in Lawrence Township Small Claims Court in Marion County since 2015. She is a member of several judicial branch committees, including the Innovation Initiative’s Technology Working Group, which is charged with evaluating business processes and innovative t … [Read more...] about On-Site Video Legal Services
Restoring Justice
By Michael Commons, Staff Attorney | Indiana Office of Court Services History and the lure of something new According to local lore, the original Brown County courthouse was constructed in 1837. The 24-foot by 18-foot log building and log jail were built for the price of $700. The original courthouse was used until 1853, when a brick structure was erected at the same location at a cost of $7,000. The second … [Read more...] about Restoring Justice
It’s Not Just the Law, It’s Good Sense: Maintaining and Instilling Safety Protocols during COVID-19
By Heather R. Falks, Employment Attorney – ADA Coordinator | Office of General Counsel Mask mandates are not a political issue; they are a liability issue. It makes good sense to instill safety protocols because it minimizes court liability, promotes public safety, and helps avoid court closures. As an employer, courts have a responsibility to their employees to protect them from COVID-19. They also have a duty as a p … [Read more...] about It’s Not Just the Law, It’s Good Sense: Maintaining and Instilling Safety Protocols during COVID-19
2020 Forward: A Vision for the Future of Indiana’s Justice System
By Michelle Goodman, Staff Attorney | Indiana Office of Court Services The Judicial Conference of Indiana’s Strategic Planning Committee continues to set a vision for the future of Indiana’s justice system. Since the committee’s inception in 2008, it has continued its efforts through education, implementation, and additional planning to carry out its overall mission, “[t]o improve our system of justice under the rule … [Read more...] about 2020 Forward: A Vision for the Future of Indiana’s Justice System