Rep. Jeter Pushes Bill for Law and Order
After the 2020 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, calls began to strip funding from police, eliminate cash bail and make sweeping changes to criminal justice policy. Protesters flooded the streets across the country and demanded the reduction or even elimination of resources for law enforcement. Prosecutors in large cities across the country, including here in Indiana, began to proclaim their blanket intention not to enforce crimes such as drug possession, theft and traffic violations. The results were to be expected, and crime rates exploded in the mostly large cities that adopted these lawless procedures.
Indianapolis, for example, still has more than 100 homicide cases listed as unsolved for 2024 and recorded 209 homicides for the year. While this was the third year the city saw a decrease, it was the fifth year in a row with more than 200 homicides. Along with the rise in violent and nonviolent crime, Indiana is facing a lawyer shortage. According to the Indiana Supreme Court, nearly all 92 Hoosier counties, especially Indiana’s rural and most socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, have fewer lawyers per capita than the national average. That’s why I’m authoring a House Republican agenda bill to strengthen public safety across the state by providing additional state investment for deputy prosecutors.
House Bill 1006 would make a once-in-a-generation investment toward the state’s criminal justice system and support law and order by reimbursing qualified and participating counties up to 50% of the salary and benefits packages of deputy prosecutors. Indiana currently needs an additional 440 prosecutors, and this new fund could encourage the retainment of prosecuting attorneys and support more competitive wages across the state.
House Bill 1006 would also create a prosecutor review board to examine prosecutors who refuse to prosecute criminal laws. If the board labels a prosecutor as noncompliant, the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council must withhold funding. Our law enforcement community and many prosecutors of both political parties have continued to enforce laws and ensure the safety and security of our communities. Indeed, that is their sole duty. I believe state funding should be conditioned upon the defense of Hoosier values and demand for personal accountability that creates safe communities.
Law and order have long been the basis of Indiana’s stable society. Our prosecutors are on the frontlines of the battle for safer communities by enforcing our state criminal laws. Now, the state will “put its money where its mouth is” and join this important fight. When fairly applied and enforced, these are the principles to which all people and institutions are subject and accountable. Indiana will continue to lead in this area.
As we move ahead, I look forward to working with my House and Senate colleagues to strengthen public safety in our Hoosier communities. To follow the legislative process, visit iga.in.gov. To stay in touch, sign up for my e-newsletter at in.gov/h88.
State Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) represents House District 88, which includes portions of Hamilton, Hancock, Madison and Marion counties.