justice

Optimism despite hurdles around criminal code overhaul

Brandon Smith — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:17:35 +0000

Bedford Republican Senator Brent Steele says he remains confident the legislature will pass a bill overhauling the state’s criminal code, despite Governor Mike Pence voicing concerns about the measure’s impact.

Gov. Pence’s main issue with the bill is its reduction of penalties for low-level drug offenders. Those behind the criminal code reform effort want to focus more on rehabilitation. But Pence says the state must remain tough on drugs and work to reduce crime, not penalties.

Daniels names Rush to Indiana Supreme Court

Brandon Smith — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 19:03:33 +0000

Tippecanoe County juvenile court judge Loretta Rush is Indiana’s newest Supreme Court justice – and the second woman to ever sit on the state’s high court.

Governor Mitch Daniels named Rush as his pick Friday. Hamilton County judge Steven Nation and Indianapolis attorney Geoffrey Slaughter were the other two finalists. Many in the legal community urged the governor to name a woman to the bench.

While Daniels says he wasn’t oblivious to those calls, quality was his first concern.

Lindh prayer trial continues with chaplain, imam testimonies

Brandon Smith — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:09:20 +0000

Witnesses on behalf of the federal prison in Terre Haute got their say in federal court Tuesday over whether Muslims at the prison are being unfairly denied the right to pray daily as a group.

Attorneys for the government called two witnesses Tuesday: David Holston, the prison’s supervisory chaplain, and imam Ammar Amonette, the head of the Islamic Center of Virginia.