The city of Evanston has taken it upon themselves to reduce penalties for people caught in possession of marijuana. While state law says you could serve up to 6 months in jail for the offense, Evanston city officials would rather ticket you than tax the already overburdened criminal justice system. [Read more…]
Indiana OWI Penalty Disparities in Different Counties
An article and editorial at NWI.com notes that penalties for OWI (drunk driving) in Indiana can vary depending on the county you are arrested in. In particular, Lake County prosecutors are more agreeable to charge reductions. [Read more…]
Indianapolis Police Consider Changes to Chase Policy
About 10 people die every single year in Indiana due to police chases. Some are demanding the Indianapolis Police Department make changes to prevent this from happening. But despite two recent deaths, the department is cautious to make any “hasty” decisions and is concerned that officers would see the changes as “surrendering”. [Read more…]
Audit of State Crime Lab Abruptly Halted
A few months ago we reported about problems within the state crime lab, where It had been discovered that numerous drug tests had been flawed. The three-person panel, appointed by Governor Mitch Daniels recommended and immediate audit to get scope on the extent of the issue. Now, however, the audit has been called off and it’s not clear if we’ll ever know just how bad the problems were. [Read more…]
Former Delaware County Prosecutor Suspended for Mixing Money and Prosecutions
A former Delaware County Deputy Prosecutor has had his law license suspended for 120 days after being found guilty of professional misconduct which occurred between 1995 and 2006. The prosecutor’s misconduct involved his negotiating criminal cases all while handling criminal forfeitures, of which he kept around 25% of the money collected. [Read more…]
Supreme Court Rules Fleeing From Police As a “Violent” Crime
The Supreme Court issued a ruling this week in a case out of Indiana. At question was whether fleeing from the police was considered a violent felony and therefore could be used to sentence a defendant under the Armed Career Criminal Act. [Read more…]
Indiana Crime Lab Problems Reach Back to At Least 2004
The state crime toxicology lab is under fire, as we reported last month. And as more and more information about the problems become available, it’s obvious the lab had been struggling for many years. The Indianapolis Star reports this week that 2,000 emails dated from as early as 2003 reveal errors and also reveal a lab supervisor who was trying to speak up, trying to get help for the lab. [Read more…]
Indiana Toxicology Crime Lab Under Fire
In 2008, a new director was named to the Indiana State Department of Toxicology. Immediately Michael Wagner noticed problems. He was the first forensic toxicologist to head the department in more than a decade and this could have been the reason problems were so apparent to him. Soon after taking office he decided to do an audit and since then the issue has been coming to a head. [Read more…]
Indiana Inmate Sues Judge For Strange Drug Sentence
Judges do have some considerable flexibility when it comes to sentencing people convicted of crimes. But one St. Joseph Superior court judge has found a way to gain even more control, not only over the initial sentence but if it is changed down the road. And for this an inmate says his rights have been toyed with and he is subsequently filing suit. [Read more…]
Indiana Meth & Marijuana Bills Move Forward
Two bills are making forward progress in the Indiana State Legislature. One will examine if the state should consider marijuana legalization while another would make it more difficult to get the cold medications used in making methamphetamines. A balance of tightening control on one bill and loosening it on another. [Read more…]