Indiana’s Bail Legislation Misses the Mark
By Michael J. Whitlock Let me set the stage in Indianapolis. In the last 24 months there have been more than 500 homicides. Judges are setting low bails and handing out get out of jail free cards on repeat offenders, many of whom were charged with violent offenses, and handing out electronic monitors in lieu of bail like candy. Charitable bail organizations continue to post bail without legal authority to do so and with no authority to compel a bailee to appear in court or arrest and return them if they do not. The Indiana Senate Republican Caucus announced a series of bills aimed at addressing these issues. Within this crime package is Senate Bill 6. The aim of SB6, in part, is to raise the bar on those accused…