Marion County Prosecutor's Office

Happy Thanksgiving from our office to you and yours! We hope you enjoy the holiday weekend with family and friends.

During National Homelessness Awareness Month, we are shining a spotlight on our Quality of Life Unit. A team of deputy prosecutors who are dedicated to supporting and assisting our transient residents. They provide those involved in the criminal justice system and?experiencing homelessness with alternative solutions to help break the cycle and find a path toward stability and success! Hear from them about the impact of housing and what “success” looks like within the program.

Our Community Outreach Team volunteered Trinity Haven today! They helped winterize their outdoor space and clean and organize inside the home. We are happy to partner with Trinity Haven who provides a safe, caring environment for LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing housing instability.

In light of the recent racist and disturbing text messages black families in our community have received, we want to call attention to our Hate Crimes Hotline. The hotline was launched to combat hate and ensure our neighbors feel safe reporting hate crimes. By calling (317) 327-5314?you can report a potentially bias-motivated crime and once a report is made, a trained Victim Advocate will return your call.

Our Victim Advocate and Healing in Pieces founder Claressa Patton was the keynote speaker at the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Families Against Unsolved Cases conference on Saturday. She spoke about the unsolved murder of her husband 18 years ago as well as the loss her brother two months later. As a Victim Advocate, Claressa supports those who have lost loved ones by talking them through the process and providing them a safe space to heal. Our Deputy Prosecutor Linda Major moderated the event which also featured IMPD detectives, a chaplain and other attorneys who were available for questions. Read more about the event: https://bit.ly/48Q1uop

Last week, Black families in Indiana received disturbing racist texts referencing slavery, similar to messages reported in states like New York, Alabama, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. The Prosecutor’s Office is committed to supporting families who have experienced hate and have been affected by harmful online behavior. We offer a range of resources to provide support and raise awareness during these challenging times. Together, we can stand up to hate!

Yesterday, Prosecutor Mears spoke with 7th and 8th graders at Speedway Middle School! He spoke about the importance of internet and cellphone safety, specifically on social media and making sure to speak up if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. We offer Cybersafe presentations to raise awareness about the potential dangers on the internet and provide tips to help keep you and your children safe online. Schedule a presentation today by emailing [email protected]!

Recently, our office in partnership with Horizon House and the Central Indiana Community Foundation announced a new pilot program designed to reduce recidivism by developing access to stable housing and other vital services. During #National Homelessness Awareness Month, we want to highlight our partners and the work our Quality of Life Unit is doing to provide alternate solutions for those experiencing homelessness and increase assistance to break the cycle. Read more about this new program: https://bit.ly/3Cg59jc

Thank you to 100+ participants and expert speakers who made our 14th Annual Community Justice Academy possible! If you missed the final night, watch here: https://bit.ly/3UBcqkc

The Prosecutor's Office is closed today for Election Day. We will resume normal hours tomorrow, 11/06 at 8 a.m.