Ind. criminals might receive longer sentences

Indiana’s criminal code might be reformed for the first time in more than 35 years.

The Senate approved a measure sponsored by Sen. Brent Steele on
Wednesday.

House Bill 1006 would change four classes of felonies (classes A-D) into six classes (classes 1-6) in Indiana. This would allow the state to set more proportional and consistent penalties for crimes, according to a news release.

The reform would also include a change of the credit time system. Under current law, offenders are required to serve at least 50 percent of their sentences. With the reform, they would be required to serve at least 75 percent.

“The changes in this bill are aimed at creating a more uniform structure for sentencing criminals,” Steele said in a news release.

Steele said the legislation is a product of three years of work on behalf of the Criminal Code Evaluation Commission, which includes legislators, prosecutors, defense attorneys, members of the judiciary and representatives from the Department of Correction.

“Indiana’s most serious offenders will be required to serve 85 percent of their sentence instead of the 50 percent required under current law,” Steele said in a news release. “In exchange, the lower, non-violent property crimes will serve less time and face lower levels of felony or misdemeanor charges.”

The bill passed the Senate with a 46-4 vote. HB 1006 will return to the House of Representatives for final legislative action. If the bill passes, the revisions will become effective July 1, 2014. This would give law enforcement and correction officials one year to prepare for the change in implementation.

“Since our criminal penalties were last reformed in the 70s, state leaders have made countless piecemeal changes to the system. HB 1006 is about bringing the whole system back into balance,” Steele said in a news release.

— Anu Kumar