Sentencing guidelines overhaul to take another year

Submitted by Mandy Miller
Title: District 3 Rep
January 31, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Legislators stung last year by county prosecutors who opposed a sweeping plan to overhaul Indiana’s criminal sentencing scheme won’t push the issue in this year’s General Assembly.

Backers said last year’s bill, endorsed by Gov. Mitch Daniels, would have saved $1.2 billion in new prison construction over seven years by easing penalties for low-level offenders like petty thieves and drug dealers who crowd state lockups. But the bill stalled after prosecutors said it was too soft on crime.

This year, with prosecutors’ concerns largely eased, sheriffs are worried that an attempt to reduce crowding in state prisons could aggravate overpopulation in their jails.

Floyd County Probation Department Consolidates

Submitted by Don Travis
Title: President
January 29, 2012

January 23, 2012

Floyd County Probation Office consolidates

New chief sworn in to oversee department

By MATT THACKER
Matt.Thacker@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Mon Jan 23, 2012, 08:41 PM EST

NEW ALBANY — Rexann Farris was sworn in Monday as chief probation officer of the newly unified Floyd County Probation Office.

Probation Officer Tackles & Handcuffs Man Burglarizing His Home

Submitted by Jim Taylor
Title: District 1 Rep
January 26, 2012

By KSEE News
January 24, 2012
Isaiah and his father, Adison, say they found a man in their garage stealing their belongings, so they took matters into their own hands.

“We were getting the grill and were going to put it inside my dad's truck and we saw someone in my garage,” explained Isaiah. Adison added, “We stopped him and asked what he was doing, he apologized and handed me my gloves and cell phone and I said, what else do you have?”

They say that's when the man took off. Isaiah and Adison chased him down and were able to tackle him to the ground, until police arrived.

Fresno Police Sgt. Brian Rodgers said, “It turns out the homeowner was an off- duty probation officer who had handcuffs, so they were able to handcuff the burglar and hold him.”

The probation officer and his son say they are not surprised this happened to them. They say burglaries happen in their area all the time. But the accused thief is more than shocked. He denies ever burglarizing their home. He explained, “I was walking down the street and that big guy attacked me.”

The probation officer, said another deputy was actually jogging on the street when all the commotion was happening. That deputy also stopped to help out.

The man was arrested and taken to the Fresno County Jail on burglary charges.

Police: Officers used Taser three times on unruly, intoxicated woman

Submitted by Cherie Wood
Title: Secretary
January 23, 2012

Evansville police said they stunned an unruly, intoxicated restaurant patron three times with a Taser on Thursday night before they could get the 28-year-old woman in custody.

Bill would give county councils more control of funds generated by user fees

Submitted by Ryan Hull
Title: District 2 Rep
January 17, 2012

Courier-Journal
January 13, 2012
By: Ben Zion Hershberg

Indiana Sen. Jim Smith, R-Charlestown, has introduced a bill in the General Assembly intended to tighten the control county councils have over money generated by fees in some departments.

A major element of Senate Bill 160 is language that says county councils have the authority to determine how much money is appropriated from user fees paid by probationers to support court probation departments, and it says the money can be used to pay “part or all” of probation employees’ salary.

The language would replace sections of current law that say the probation fees can be used only to “supplement” probation salaries and, according to an Indiana Supreme Court decision in a Clark County dispute, gave the judges more control over how the probation fees can be used.

Ind. Law - "Proposed bills would redefine intoxication"

Submitted by Susan Bentley
Title: District 5 Rep
January 10, 2012

Simply walking home from a bar or party after downing a few alcoholic beverages won't be enough for police to nab you for public intoxication under two bills that Indiana legislators will consider this session.

As currently written, Indiana's public intoxication statute -- it's a Class B misdemeanor to be under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance when in public -- leaves great room for interpretation.

Clark County Courts Have New Names

Submitted by Don Travis
Title: President
January 5, 2012

Consolidation takes effect for courts, probation office

By MATT THACKER

Matt.Thacker@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Wed Jan 04, 2012, 11:01 PM EST

JEFFERSONVILLE — Clark County’s court consolidation took effect with the start of the new year, eliminating the superior courts.

Clark County Circuit Court is now Clark County Circuit Court No. 1. Superior Courts No. 2 and No. 3 were renamed Circuit Courts No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. Superior Court No. 1 is now Circuit Court No. 4.