Keeping Dangerous Suspects Behind Bars
As your state senator, one of my top priorities is keeping Indiana residents safe.
Recently, we’ve seen too many dangerous repeat criminals arrested and released from jail on little or no bail who go on to hurt more innocent people.
That’s why this year I supported Senate Joint Resolution 1, which seeks to amend Indiana’s constitution so judges can hold arrestees without bail if there is no way to release them without threatening the safety of the public. Under Indiana’s constitutional amendment process, voters will have a chance to vote on SJR 1 on this November’s ballot.
The question on the ballot will be:
Currently, under the Constitution of the State of Indiana, a person charged with murder or treason is not entitled to be released on bail if the proof is evident or the presumption strong.
Shall the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to provide that a person charged with an offense other than murder or treason is not entitled to bail if:
(1) the proof is evident or the presumption strong; and
(2) the state proves by clear and convincing evidence that no release conditions will reasonably protect the safety of any other person or the community.
I also supported Senate Enrolled Act 2, a companion bill that makes 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.
