Bascom: New Law Will Hold Prosecutors Accountable

The law creates a review board to investigate prosecutors who refuse to enforce our laws.

INDIANAPOLIS - Nationally, there's been a rise in progressive criminal justice policies like cashless bail, efforts to defund the police or a reluctance to prosecute crimes. To protect public safety, I supported a new law creating a review board to investigate prosecutors who refuse to enforce our laws.

The board will be composed of five members from the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council’s board of directors with no more than four being from the same political party. This structure ensures a balanced and fair approach to oversight. Board members serve four-year terms and may be reappointed to provide continuity and experience in the review process. 

Our new state budget also increases funding for the State Police by nearly $50 million each of the next two years, and funds the High-Tech Crime Unit (HTCU) and the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force.

The HTCU assists prosecuting attorneys in investigating, collecting evidence and prosecuting high-tech crimes. In 2022 and 2023, it handled 4,583 cases and examined 7,580 devices.

The Indiana Crime Guns Task Force is a multi-agency law enforcement initiative established to address violent crime. In 2024, the task force seized over 270 illegal firearms and 167 handgun conversion devices.

Our criminal justice system plays a critical role in maintaining public safety and upholding the rule of law. This new board and funding boost strengthens accountability and will also restore public trust in our criminal justice system.