Do Courts Use Them in Domestic Violence Cases? PART TWO The more experience we have, the more comfortable we are relying on our “gut instincts” about people and their behavior. But when it comes to adjudicating cases, our system of jurisprudence does not condone gut feelings as a basis for judicial decisions. As discussed in Part 1 of this series, risk assessments and lethality/danger assessments can take the gue … [Read more...] about Lethality Assessments
Criminal
Abstract of Judgment Data to Improve Criminal History Repository
Note: In the print version of this article, an incorrect date was published. The TCN data field in the Abstract of Judgement application will become a required field on July 1, 2017 (previously noted as April 1). Part 2 Legislative Requirement In the December, 2016 issue of Indiana Court Times, an article focused on legislation requiring the Indiana Supreme Court to send methamphetamine-related felony conviction data … [Read more...] about Abstract of Judgment Data to Improve Criminal History Repository
NICS: National Instant Background Check System
The Power of the Pen: What happens behind the scenes Judges wield tremendous power, often literally with a stroke of their pens as they sign their names on orders and findings. When the cases involve family violence, routine decisions—whether to check the “Brady box” on a protection order, or whether to make the domestic violence determination in a misdemeanor case—can indeed carry life-or-death consequences. Why is t … [Read more...] about NICS: National Instant Background Check System
Grant program working to keep low-level criminals out of prison
The Indiana General Assembly focused on criminal code reform during the 2014 and 2015 legislative sessions. House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1006, authored both years by Representative Greg Steuerwald, R-Avon, rewrote criminal penalties and sentencing statutes to keep low-level offenders in local communities where they will have better access to mental health and substance abuse treatment, as well as rehabilitation … [Read more...] about Grant program working to keep low-level criminals out of prison
Second Chances: Indiana's Evolving Expungement Law
While still a subject of some controversy, expungement, the process by which an Indiana citizen can seal past criminal records, has undergone significant revision since its inception. In 2012, Indiana lawmakers enacted legislation popularly known as the “Second Chance Law.” Under the 2012 procedure, only those convicted of misdemeanors and non-violent class D felonies were eligible, and the remedy resulted in an ord … [Read more...] about Second Chances: Indiana's Evolving Expungement Law