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EVALUATING INDIANA’S CRIMINAL CODE REFORM LEGISLATION
Earlier this month, ICJI working alongside the Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council produced the sixth edition of the Annual Criminal Code Reform Evaluation Report, which builds on the analyses from the previous years and provides additional insight into Indiana’s current and ever-changing criminal justice landscape. Comprehensively, the report covers many topics, ranging from jail overcrowding and the development of specialty courts to behavioral and mental health services. However, one main point of note is the attempt to address the impact of COVID-19 on the criminal justice system. The purpose of annual evaluation is to shed light on many of these areas so that Indiana’s policymakers and stakeholders can develop forward-thinking strategies based on sound data and meaningful analysis. New to this year, the institute added an online, interactive component to the report to help the public better visualize the changes under HEA 1006.
ICJI LAUNCHES NEW INITIATIVE TO COMBAT DRUG-IMPAIRED DRIVING
In an effort to improve road safety, ICJI is providing 52 Indiana law enforcement agencies with a new roadside tool to identify and keep drug-impaired drivers off the road. The device, called the SoToxa Mobile Test System, is a handheld analyzer that uses an oral fluid swab to detect the presence of six kinds of drugs: cocaine, methamphetamine, opiates, cannabis (THC), amphetamine and benzodiazepines. To use SoToxa, the officer must have both a reason to stop a motorist, whether it’s for driving erratically, speeding or another infraction, and suspect impairment. During the traffic stop, officers will use standard detection techniques such as field sobriety tests, portable breathalyzers and suspect interviews to evaluate the driver. SoToxa would not replace those techniques but would instead function as an additional roadside tool officers could use. If drug-impaired driving is suspected, the officer can ask the driver to take the SoToxa test. This is done by collecting an oral fluid sample, which is then inserted into the handheld analyzer. Results are available roadside within five minutes and indicate positive or negative for each of the six drug categories.
ICJI AWARDED $1.9 MILLION TO SUPPORT VIOLENT CRIME VICTIMS
Announced in October, ICJI was awarded $1.9 million by the U.S. Department of Justice to bolster the state’s Violent Crime Victim Compensation program. The funds will be used to make payments to eligible violent crime victims in Indiana. As background, the program was created by the Indiana General Assembly in 1978 to reimburse victims or their dependents for certain costs incurred as a result of a violent crime. Eligible costs include medical bills, lost wages, loss of support to legal dependents, reasonable childcare services or outpatient mental health counseling (up to $3,000) due to the injuries received. Claimants can be reimbursed up to $15,000, on top of an additional $5,000 that can be used to recoup certain funeral costs. To be eligible for compensation, the crime must be a felony or Class A misdemeanor that resulted in death or bodily injury, in which, the victim incurred at least $100 in medical expenses. It must also have taken place in Indiana and been reported to law enforcement within 72 hours, with the exception of victims of a child sex crime. The victim must cooperate with law enforcement and the prosecutor’s office. Additional restrictions may apply and can be found by clicking the link below.
SAFE FAMILY TRAVEL HOLIDAY ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN
This month, more than 200 Indiana law enforcement agencies are participating in the 2020 Safe Family Travel Holiday Enforcement Mobilization. The goal of the campaign is to reduce the number of traffic collisions, injuries and fatalities by pairing high visibility enforcement with media exposure to encourage motorists to drive sober and buckle up during the holiday season. Click the video below to watch a newly created video by NHTSA to promote the campaign.
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