SB 0055 Summary

• Abolishes the grand jury system in Indiana, effective July 1, 2013, eliminating all grand jury procedures and requirements across the state criminal justice system.

• Replaces grand jury indictments with prosecuting attorney-filed informations as the sole method for charging felony offenses in criminal cases.

• Makes conforming amendments throughout Indiana Code to remove references to grand juries, grand jury procedures, grand jury targets, grand jury investigations, and related terminology.

• Eliminates specific grand jury-related provisions including grand jury foreman duties, grand jury targets and targeting procedures, and grand jury investigation processes previously used in criminal prosecutions.

• Transfers grand jury functions to prosecuting attorneys, who now have direct authority to file informations without requiring grand jury approval or indictment for criminal charges.