This bill would replace death sentences for individuals with life in prison without parole. We support legislation to repeal the state’s death penalty as a step toward a more just and equitable criminal legal system. The ACLU of Indiana has long asserted that the death penalty is a costly misuse of taxpayer dollars, prone to errors, and applied unfairly and inconsistently.
The bill also provides a pathway for those charged with murder to petition the court if they have an intellectual disability. If their disability is confirmed, the courts must give these individuals a fixed prison term rather than life without parole. These reforms demonstrate a commitment to fairness, accuracy, and justice in Indiana's legal system.
