| Keeping Dangerous Suspects Behind Bars One of the most basic and essential duties of government is to keep people safe. And yet, Indiana is in the minority of states that, in most circumstances, still guarantees bail even if the individual is believed to pose a significant threat to the public. As such, our state has seen too many dangerous repeat criminals arrested and released from jail on little or no bail who go on to hurt more innocent people. The problem is especially acute in domestic violence situations when an abuser is arrested and then quickly released and able to continue to harm his victims. Hoosiers are fed up with “catch and release” policies that fail to keep dangerous people behind bars and off our streets. 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, Hoosier voters will have a chance to vote on SJR 1 on this November’s ballot, meaning you will have a chance to weigh in on this important issue. Just as important, 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. These reforms will prove especially important for women who find themselves in domestic abuse situations. If the amendment passes, it will make it easier for authorities to keep an abuser who is a serious threat away from their victims until they can receive a trial. |
