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Thursday, September 08, 2005

Ind. Courts - Courts, large and small

Starting with the small, the Munster (NW Indiana) Times reports today:

CEDAR LAKE | The town's councilmen have talked themselves out of the notion of establishing a town court.

In a work session Tuesday, Council President Greg Wornhoff, R-3rd, said the time to make a decision is fast approaching.

"We have to have an ordinance by the end of the year for an election for judge next year. Otherwise, you wait four years," he said.

Although John Shutz of the Cedar Lake Chamber of Commerce said the Chamber had put its support behind the town court idea as a way to raise revenue and ease the way for the police department, no one spoke in favor of it on the council.

"I'm really against us doing a town court," Councilman Dominick Kortokrax, R-7th, said. "I don't think our town can afford it."

Police Chief Roger Patz said, "It would be nice to have a local judge to go to for a search warrant." But, he said it could create manpower issues for the Police Department.

Town Attorney David Austgen had provided information packets on the subject last month.

Kortokrax said although the Lowell Town Court was initially successful, the revenue generated has fallen off.

In Vigo County, as the Terre Haute Tribune-Star story is headlined, "Proposals for security improvement measure range from $123,000 to $288,000." Some quotes:
Five proposals are under review for a possible video arraignment system that would improve security at the Vigo County Courthouse.

The proposals, opened Tuesday, were advertised for professional services to provide video arraignment technologies for six county courts, plus a court at Terre Haute City Hall. Vigo County's new sixth superior court is slated to start proceedings in January.

The proposals also include a cost breakdown. Proposals range from about $123,500 to more than $288,000.

"All of the judges and law enforcement have discussed this and it is an item we are looking at," said Judge David Bolk, chief of Vigo County judges.

"There has been no decision on whether or not to do this or how to fund it," Bolk said. "This is an information-gathering step. I think there needs to be a consensus that it is a good use of taxpayers' money." * * *

Tony Miller, director of information services for the county, said the courts and Sheriff Jon Marvel requested the proposals.

"We believe that because of the fact that the courthouse is undergoing interior renovations, now would be the time to get any additional cabling or wiring in place," Miller said. "Even if we don't implement the system now, it would be better to get the back end wiring going right away."

Miller said 16 other Indiana counties are using video arraignment "in one form or another. We are one of the largest counties that don't have something of this nature. This is a manpower issue and safety issue," Miller said.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on September 8, 2005 10:23 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts