The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-02-06
Conditions Are 0iSgraCeful,
Attorneys Declare in
Petition.
G0ETT PLEDGES INQUIRY
Activities of Professional
3ondSmen Also to Be
Studied.
BY JOE COLLIER
Times stan Writer

of professional bOndsmen and
alleged fxers of court cases
in the criminal branch of
municipal courts was under
way today, with the Marion
County Grand Jury expected
to take action within a few
days.
A group Of Indianapolis attorneys,
The indianapolis Times learned, are
circulating a series of petitions in
which the present conditions at the
police headquarters courts are
branded "~disgrsceful" and IN which
remedial action is suggested. When
the petitions are signed they will be
presented to the Indianapolis Bar
Association for action at the March
meeting.
The petitions also will be pre-
sented to Mayor John w. Kern. Mu-
nicipal Judges Charles Karabell and
Dewey Myers and Police Chief Mike
Morrissey.
Although he got no copy of the
brief. Henry Goett. grand jury pros
ecu.or. pledged jury investigation
when the charges we're laid before
him by The indianapolis Times.
Officials Under Attack
The attorneys charge in their
brief that professional bondsmen
and certain city and county en-
ployes use real or assumed prestige
To presume upon the courts and po-
lice officers having cases before the
courts. and that the city and county
employees frequently solicit persons
involved in the cases, or their rela-
tives and accept fees for their Serv-
ices. These men are known COM
monty SIS 'hXers," the brief states.
The brief SAYS: These men Gre
ate the impression that a defendant
in the Criminal Municipal Courts
can obtain immunity from violations
of the law by paying money to
EAHHAr hLAA IAACN III IA AAAA6 oN
court and police officers, leading
the person paying to believe that 1t
It is necessary. in order to obtain
Justice. that money be paid to in
fiuence the court and the court OH
Gals"
The attorneys charge that the
corridors of the courts are infested
each court session with many per-
Hons who have no business before
the courts and who have no right
to represent a defendant. The sole
purpose of these persons in being
there. the attorneys charge. is TO
prey on the credulity of defendants
and their relatives.
Appear Before Courts
The protesting attorneys add that
the "fxers" do in fact frequently
appear before the courts asking for
continuances of cases and doing
other things which are entirely
within the meaning Of the practice
Of law.
The attorneys insist that while
there may be a legitimate field for
the professional bondSman, the
bOndsmen should lot be permitted
to represent a prisoner before the
court in any capacity.
Many persons have been solicited
In and about the courtrooms by If
responsible persons who have no
right to represent any person be-
fore a court and there are APP
proximately so such men and women
engaged in fixing" the attorneys
charge.
The attorneys complain that pro-
feSsional bondSmen. all of whom
have offices near police headquar-
tiers. allow unattached persons n
gagged in the nefsrious business OF
fixing" 10 loaf and spend their time
in their Offices.
Changes Are Suggested
To correct the evil the attorneys
made the following suggestions:
That only lawyers who are admit
ted to the bar occupy seats reserved
for lawyers: that police officers only
occupy seats reserved for police Off
GERS: that an assistant baiiif be sta
toned at the entrance door to the
court and that no person except
those having business before the
court as witnesses or defendants be
admitted 10 the courtroom.
That the corridors surrounding
the courtrooms be kept free of law
yers. bondSmen. Or any other per-
sons: that all persons coming 10 the
courts TO transact business be re-
duired TO enter the courtroom i'm
mediately. leaving the corridor sur
rounding the courtroom.
That judges of the courts refuse
10 talk to bondsmen. or any other
person not a recognized member Of
the bar other than the defendant.
about 2 continuance or a reduction
in bond. that bondsmen be required
10 stay in their Offices and required
not 70 attend court sessions.
That al persons in rabiic Office
who attempt 10 talk 10 q judge
about a case be reported TO their
superior officers. and be discharged
for a second offenSe.