Legislative and State Government Updates

There have been too many news stories in recent years about dangerous repeat criminals who were arrested but let out of jail on little or no bail, only to hurt more innocent people. 

Understandably, many people are fed up with “catch and release” policies that fail to keep dangerous criminals behind bars. That's why I’m supporting legislation this year aimed at keeping dangerous suspects off our streets. 

In most of the country, courts can hold at least some dangerous arrestees without bail in order to protect the public. Senate Joint Resolution 1 seeks to amend Indiana’s constitution so judges could hold an arrestee without bail if there is no way to release them without threatening the public.

A companion bill, Senate Bill 2, would make sure arrestees are treated fairly when their bail is set and guarantees all arrestees have legal protections like the right to an attorney at their bail hearing, the right to present evidence, and the right to have their bail set in a timely manner.

SJR 1 and SB 2 work as a package to improve public safety for every community in Indiana. Under Indiana’s constitutional amendment process, if SJR 1 passes the House, it will appear as a statewide ballot question during this November’s election, meaning you will have the chance to weigh in on this important issue.