The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-01-09
Steps Taken After LeSIie'S
Opposition to Shady
Court Methods.
NEW SCHEDULE BEGINS
Attorneys viii Be Denied
Direct Communication
With Prisoners.
BY DICK MILLER


ernor Harry G. Leslie against
unethicaI practices of professional
bondsmen and shyster lawyers in
connection with police court cases
was fired today by Municipal Judges
Thomas Garvin and Dan V. White.
Leslie has expressed himself as
opposed to "racketeering" methods
Of lawyer bondsmen combines,
functioning in police courts. At a
recent meeting with the four
municipal court judges. including
Judge Paul G. Wetter and Clifton
r. Cameron. he demanded that
these practices be stamped out.
White and Garvin today made
new schedule, lowering bonds on
general misdemeanors, and increas-
ing them in cases where the VIOLA
ton is directly against persons.
Provisions also were made for
court bailif to govern night affairs
at police headquarters.
He will release, on their own
recognizance, property owners, heaoS
of families, and reputable cltlzenS
held under bonds of $500 OF less.
Deal Fairly, Severely
I'VE are not prejudging any one,
Judges Garvin and White declared,
"but we are determined to bring
activities of bondsmen and attor-
news in connection with matters OF
these courts to a high, honest plane.
We intend to deal fairly, but
severely. with every situation and
are prepared to proceed against lake
property valuations, paid perjury on
part of police officers, soliciting OF
cases. and mulcting Of prisoners"
they added.
As an initial step to halt solicita-
ton of prisoners by attorneys and
bondsmen. the judges ordered that
doors leading to the second floor OF
headquarters be locked at night.
Communication between prisoners
and outside aid will be carried on
through the night bailiff.
This bailiff has not been named,
but Garvin said he had been as
sured of support of the safety board
in obtaining a man of honesty and
integrity.
We held a conference with Police
Chief Jerry E. Kinney, who also ex-
pressed a desire to work with us in
cleaning up the situation" he de-
clared.
Sworn Statements
Each bondsman will be required
to make a sworn statement before
the judges as to valuation, location
and description of real estate he
owns, unincumbered by forfeited
bonds or other liens, according to
Garvin.
We have record OF thirteen for
feited bonds now in court litigation
against professional bondsmen,"
Garvin said.
When the valuation of the prop
erty has been set, each bondsman
will be issued a card bearing the
amount of the bonds for which his
holdings will be accepted as secur-
ity. The amount Will total half the
value of his property.
When the bond is filed out the
name of the bondsman and the
amount will be registered by the
turnkey. and when the case is dis
posed of that amount will be cred
tied to the bondSman's card. The
system will operate similar to bank
Withdrawals and deposits. Standings
of bondsmen will be checked by the
bailiff, Judge Garvin said.
Must Specify Charges
Striking at paid perjury by police,
the judges asked Kinney to order
each policeman to specify charges
when a prisoner is locked up in
city prison. Or to send in the charge
with the patrol car or wagon. Fail
ing, the policeman will be required
to file the charge before going of
duty.
I'VE are here for two months, -
Garvin said We intend to accom-
plish our task. Bondsmen and law
yers who desire to operate legiti-
mately, will welcome the new sys-
TEN. Crooks will look with diSfavor
on our plans"
Governor Leslie recently reap
pointed Clifton R. Cameron a mu-
nicipal judge and then requested
that Judges Cameron and Wetter
exchange their criminal municipal
court benches for seats in municipal