FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Abbey Webb, Press Secretary
Abbey.Webb@iga.in.gov
317-234-3560
Jovi Taylor, Press Secretary Intern
Jovi.Taylor@iga.in.gov
STATEHOUSE (Feb. 7, 2025) —A bill authored by State Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) to increase penalties for criminal offenses is moving through the legislative process.
Senate Bill 324 targets three key areas within the criminal justice system: bail, battery and drug dealing.
The bill would require courts to stop giving automatic bail based on a predetermined schedule to suspects arrested for violent crimes. It would also impose a higher degree of punishment for individuals who commit battery that causes injury or deal meth or fentanyl.
"Public safety has always been one of my top priorities as a Senator," Freeman said. "This bill was not created to put additional burdens on government agencies, but to keep violent criminals off the streets of our Hoosier communities. Soft-on-crime prosecuting and bail policies are hurting innocent people in many cities, including Indianapolis."
SB 324 would also require violent arrestees with a prior conviction to pay double the normal bail amount before they could be released. Freeman believes that by enforcing stronger rules for repeat offenders, Hoosiers will be a lot safer
"Gov. Braun referenced SB 324 during the State of the State address as one of his public safety priority bills," Freeman said. "I am happy to carry this bill for Gov. Braun and I believe it can make a huge difference in the Indiana criminal justice system."
SB 324 passed the Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law and has been recommitted to the Senate Committee on Appropriations for further consideration. For more information on the bill, click here.
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State Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) represents Senate District 32, which includes portions of Johnson and Marion counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
