Departments Of The Prosecutor's Office

In 1985 Indiana mandated a statewide system to address the serious problem of adult abuse. The law says that, if anyone is aware of or suspects an adult is being abused (neglected, battered, or exploited), that suspicion must be reported. The report must be to a local law enforcement agency, the APS hot line (answered 24 hours a day 1-800-992-6978), or to a local APS investigator. An investigation will be conducted to determine whether the allegations can be substantiated. If abuse is indicated, APS will develop the least restrictive plan of intervention needed to relieve the endangerment.

Who is Considered an Endangered Adult?

According to the law, an endangered adult is any individual 18 years of age or older who:

 Is incapable of managing his/her property or caring for himself/herself or both, by reason of insanity, mental illness, mental retardation, senility, habitual drunkenness, excessive use of drugs, old age, infirmity, or other incapacity

 

 Is harmed or threatened with harm as a result of neglect, battery, or exploitation of the person's personal services, property, or both.

 

Call Adult Protective Services Hotline 1-800-992-6978

or

Residents of LaPorte, Starke, Pulaski
Jasper, Newton, or Porter County
Call 219-326-6808 or 219-873-7014

 Endangered adult's name, address, and phone number

 Endangered adult's age and physical or mental problems,if known

 Nature and extent of neglect, battery, or exploitation, if known

 Any other additional information that might be helpful

            Information on police, court, and prosecution procedures

            Education about crime and crime prevention

            Information on Personal safety

            Information regarding protective orders

            Information on social service agencies

            Procedures in filing for Indiana Violent Crime Compensation (see link below)

            Assistance during the criminal process

            Status of a criminal case

            Restitution Options

            to be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect during criminal process

            to be notified of criminal justice proceedings that are scheduled for a criminal matter in which the victim was involved

            to be present at all public stages of the criminal justice process, so long as the victim’s presence and statements do not interfere with a defendant’s constitutional rights and there has not been an order prohibiting attendance at the proceeding

            to have victims safety be considered by the Court

            to information regarding disposition, sentencing, and release (upon request)

            to respond to a pre sentence report

            to be present and to be heard at certain court proceedings (absence of the victim does not preclude the court from holding the proceeding)

            to confer with a representative of the prosecuting attorney’s office, after a crime allegedly committed against you has been charged, before the trial of a crime allegedly committed against you, and before the disposition of any felony case involving you (this right does not include the authority to direct the prosecution of a criminal case or direct the disposition of a criminal case in which you are a victim)

            to pursue restitution and civil remedies

            to be informed of release from custody or escape (upon request)

VICTIM ADVOCATES are LOCATED at

LaPorte City Police Department     (219) 325-9160

gbos@laportecounty.org

LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office         (219) 326-6808 Ext. 342

bschadt@laportecounty.org

Michigan City Courthouse                 (219) 874-5611 Ext. 808

rmiller@laportecounty.org

Violent Crime Compensation Fund

 www.in.gov/cji/comp

Bad Check Procedures:

If there is no response at the end of the (10) day period, the complainant should contact the Bad Check Division at the LaPorte County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and request a bad check complaint form

The Complainant should fill out the bad check complaint form COMPLETELY

The Complainant should attach a copy of the check (FRONT and BACK), a copy of the certified letter, and also a copy of the certified (GREEN) card to the bad check complaint form

The Complainant should return all of the information to the Bad Check Division of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office

Once a complaint has been received by the Bad Check Division, a notice is sent to the bad check writer for him/her to appear in the Prosecuting Attorney's Office and clear up the check(s)

All payments must be handled through the Bad Check Division. Reimbursments to businesses and individuals are done once a month

If payment is not made by the bad check writer, the Prosecuting Attorney's Office will determine whether criminal charges will be pursued or whether civil actions is required

If civil action is necessary, the Bad Check Division will advise the Complainant of the legal options

If criminal charges are warranted, the Bad Check Division will prepare and mail the appropriate documents to the Complainant. These must be signed and returned to the Bad Check Division. The case is then filed by the Prosecuting Attorney's Office which may seek a fine, jail time, and/or restitution

The Bad Check Division will advise the Complainant of the case's progress through the court system

(219) 874-5611
Ext. 818
 
 

The Child Support Division, also referred to as the IV-D Program, is a Federal/State program that was established in 1975. It was designed to protect the interests of a child whose parent is absent from the home and fails to meet the responsibility of providing financial support.

The LaPorte County Child Support Program collects millions of dollars each year. The department has one of the highest cost efficiency ratios in the state.

The following services are offered:

 Establishment of paternity

 Securement of a court order for payment of support

 Enforcement of an existing support order

 Enforcement or securement of a support order in another state

 Aid in locating non-suppporting absent parent

The Child Support Division may also file:
 

 Immediate Income Withholding Order - A part of the non-supporting parent's earnings will be automatically deducted and sent to the Clerk's office as a child support payment

 Property Lien - The IV-D Program may place a lien on property belonging to a non-supporting parent to help make child support payments

 Tax Intercepts - If an absent parent has a Fereral or State Income Tax Refund, meets the intercept criteria and owes back child support, the tax refund will be taken as payment of past due child support

 Modification of Support Orders - A petition to modify will be filed upon request, if all criteria to modify are met

 Report to Credit Bureau - Back child support that is past due will be reported

 Order to suspend - The IV-D agency may request an Order to suspend the absent parent's drivers license when he/she is found to be delinquent in child support

Michigan City       (219) 874-5611
                              Ext. 820

 FAX                        (219) 873-7000
 
 

The LaPorte County Prosecuting Attorney, in accordance with Indiana Law, has established an Infraction Deferral Program. It benefits primarily law-abiding individuals who have been charged with certain moving traffic offenses.

Eligibility requirements are:
 

Violation was not associated with an accident

No criminal charges resulted from the violation

A Person Cannot Have A Commercial Driver's License

Individual has not been charged with a criminal or traffic offense within the last two (2) years in any state

If eligible for the Infraction Deferral Program and the program is successfully completed, the violation will be dismissed. A driving conviction for this offense will not be added to the individual's driving record.

If not eligible for the Infraction Deferral Program, the person may either plead guilty and pay the appropriate fine and court costs or plead not guilty and proceed to trial.

LaPorte & Michigan City         (219) 326-6808 Ext. 425

 
 

Welfare Fraud

What is commonly referred to as "welfare" is actually a variety of programs funded by state, county and federal funds. Its purpose is to help people through difficult financial times in order to get them back on the road to self-efficiency. After eligibility has been determined, such help is provided through Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Food Stamps, Child Care Allowances and Housing Assistance. The Division of Family and Children of the State of Indiana Family & Social Services Administration is the state agency that administers these welfare programs.

When an applicant becomes eligible for welfare benefits, he/she agrees to certain rules and regulations. Failure to abide by the regulations may be a crime! In the State of Indiana, the Food Stamp Fraud Unit of the Attorney General's Office is responsible for investigation and prosecuting Welfare Fraud violations with the cooperation and assistance of the Laporte County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and the Laporte County Division of Family and Children.

Recipients Must NOT:

Conceal information or give false information with the intent to obtain or to
                continue to receuve Welfare benefuts

Trade or sell authorization documents or welfare benefits, such as Food Stamps

Alter or counterfeit authorization documents

Use someone else's authorization, documents or welfare benefits, such as Food
                Stamps
 
 

Cases of Suspected Fraud Should Be Reported IMMEDIATELY!

WELFARE FRAUD IS A CRIME!

Remeber! Everyone suffers from welfare fraud. Please help the integrity of this program.

State of Indiana
Office of the Attorney General
Food Stamp Fraud Unit
(317) 233-8435

Food Stamp Fraud Unit
Gary Field Office

(219) 882-0521