Indiana Criminal Defense Lawyer

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...]

The sentencing reform package reported on last month is under attack by a group of Indiana prosecutors. The Association of Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys has voted to oppose the progressive changes that would save the state over $1 billion in coming years, this despite support for the legislation coming from both sides of the political fence and the public at large. [read more...]

A study commissioned by the state and done by the Pew Center on the States and the Council of State Governments made some progressive recommendations on the Indiana criminal justice and prison systems. Just a few weeks ago, Governor Mitch Daniels signaled his support for the prospective changes and now everyone waits for lawmakers to make some of the recommendations as reality. [read more...]

Tippecanoe County Jail, like most others across Indiana and even across the country are forced to deal creatively with funding and overcrowding on a daily basis. Budget crunches only serve to push jail administrators to get even more innovative with where they spend and where they save. [read more...]

While many states have begun to let up on the “get tough on crime” attitude that has cost millions and done little to curb criminal behavior, Indiana continues to lock people up and throw away the key—and the budget reflects this. From 2000 to 2008 corrections costs rose 76% to $679 million. Within 10 years that cost is estimated to reach $1 billion if something isn’t done to curtail it. [read more...]

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels announced last week a move to study the current sentencing practices in his state. Such a review hasn’t been done since 1976. According to NWI.com, in those 34 years prison populations have grown from 7,500 to 29,000 in the Hoosier state. [read more...]