STATEHOUSE (Feb. 15, 2019) — The Indiana House of Representatives voted in favor of legislation authored by State Rep. Doug Miller (R-Elkhart) that would make intentionally interfering with law enforcement a crime.
Miller said House Bill 1114 would establish the crime of interfering with law enforcement, making it a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days of incarceration and a $1,000 fine. This would apply to bystanders who knowingly or intentionally tamper with a crime scene or interfere with an officer’s official duty.
“While emotions can run high in the wake of a crime, interfering with law enforcement or jeopardizing a crime scene can have real-life consequences and seriously impact an investigation,” Miller said. “When officers are prevented from doing their jobs, evidence could be destroyed, whole cases could be thrown out and criminals could go free. It is essential that we take action to ensure that law enforcement officials are allowed to do their jobs and that justice is served on behalf of victims and their families.”
Miller said resisting law enforcement is already a crime, but current law does not adequately penalize individuals for entering a crime scene that is marked off with barrier tape or interfering with the work of investigators.
According to Elkhart County Prosecutor Vicki Becker, there were several instances in Elkhart County alone where enforcement officials were disrupted while investigating a crime. This includes a case where a man interfered with a crime scene and law enforcement had no authority to detain him.
“This bill would allow law enforcement officers to calm the situation, remove the threat from the environment and proceed with what they need to do as a first responder.”
House Bill 1114 now moves to the Senate for consideration. To learn more, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Doug Miller (R-Elkhart) represents House District 48,
which includes portions of Elkhart County.
