GAVEL GAMUT By Jim Redwine)

CHANGE THE COURT

AUGUST 3, 2024

On July 29, 2024, President Biden proposed that justices of the United States Supreme Court serve a maximum of eighteen years instead of “during good behavior” as Article III of the Constitution provides. On June 18, 2024 CNN Commentator Fareed Zakaria made a similar proposal. Biden and Zakaria are liberals who are upset with the Supreme Court’s current conservative majority.

In the turbulent 1950s and 1960’s the Supreme Court was led by a liberal majority headed by Chief Justice Earl Warren. Much of America was so upset by the Court’s decisions on civil rights there were billboards on our nation’s highways calling for Warren’s impeachment.

It is not unusual for cases before the Supreme Court to cheer many and anger others. Matters end up in the Supreme Court because citizens have opposing views on hot-button issues. That’s what courts are for. It is better to go to court than go to war.

Of course, if the public loses confidence in the justice provided by the Court, war could still result. According to Gallop polling from July, 2024, 52% of Americans disapprove of the way the United States Supreme Court is doing its job. Hence, we once again are hearing demands for “court reform”, which to the dissenters means changes that would create a court that agrees with their views.

The dissatisfaction that sways left and right with the Court’s decisions is improperly addressed to the individuals or contemporary majority. The solutions are within our constitutional republic’s power. We do not need to put up with frustration with the Court’s fallible humans; what we need is to change the way the Court is composed. And we have the power to do it. We have amended our Constitution 27 times already for such things as women getting the vote. We can amend it again to re-establish confidence in our third branch of government.

Rational minds can differ as to the details but the essence of reform is already apparent. America needs to reaffirm our commitment to our solid foundation of three equal and separate branches of our republican form of our unique democracy. First, we need term limits; I suggest that since our presidents can only serve 8 total years that Supreme Court justices be limited to 10.

Second, we need to change our method of selecting our justices. Currently only 101 Americans, out of over 330 million have any say in who serves on the Supreme Court. The single presiding president nominates a potential justice, for life, and the 100 members of the Senate “advise and consent” to the nomination. We need to involve the rest of America’s voters in these vital decisions. I suggest we develop a non-partisans competitive election where qualified candidates can be “vetted” by all of us.

I do have further suggestions, but as I have already written and published over 30 Gavel Gamut columns on the Supreme Court from 1990 to today, I’ll just make these “modest proposals” for now.

Perhaps we’ll meet again on these issues later as the complexity and importance of modifying an entire branch of our government may require more than a couple of pages from one columnist. Feel free to join in, Gentle Reader.

For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com

FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.

Indiana State Police Seeks Recruits for the
87th Recruit Academy

AUGUST 2, 2024

The Indiana State Police is accepting applications for the 87^th Recruit Academy for traditional and lateral applicants. Individuals interested in beginning a rewarding career as an Indiana State Trooper must apply online at IndianaTrooper.com. This website provides a detailed synopsis of the application process and information on additional career opportunities with the Indiana State Police. Applications must be submitted electronically by 11:59 pm (EST) on Sunday, October 13, 2024. 

Probationary Troopers graduating from the 87^th Recruit Academy, who successfully complete their Field Training Officer (FTO) program, receive a $5,000.00 dollar one-time cash bonus (taxable) in addition to their regular salary.   

Included Benefits:

• Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits during the academy and probationary year.
• Military and Law Enforcement service purchase options. Service Purchase Calculator
• NEW take-home patrol vehicle issued after completing the FTO period (includes off-duty use).
• Uniforms and over $9,000 of NEW equipment are issued at no cost.
• 3 hours of on-duty physical training per week.
• 40 paid days of leave annually and 150 hours of New Parent Leave per qualifying event.
• Health/Vision/Dental and Life Insurance options for actives and retirees.
• Lifetime pension and deferred compensation w/State matching.
• Endless Opportunities and Career Advancement.

Basic Eligibility Requirements and Consideration Factors for an Indiana State Trooper:

1. Must be a United States citizen.
2. Must be at least 21 and less than 40 years of age when appointed as a police employee. (Appointment date for traditional applicants is July 17, 2025)
3. Must meet a minimum vision standard (corrected or uncorrected) of 20/50 acuity in each eye and 20/50 distant binocular acuity in both eyes.
4. Must possess a valid driver’s license to operate an automobile.
5. Must be willing, if appointed, to reside and serve anywhere within the State of Indiana as designated by the Superintendent.
6. Must be a high school graduate as evidenced by a diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED or HSE).  

Current Law Enforcement Officers:

Current Law Enforcement Officers must be full time merit law enforcement officers with a minimum of three continuous years of law enforcement service as of December 11, 2024, and if they choose, they will be assigned to the district where they currently reside.

Current Out of State Law Enforcement Officers with a minimum of three continuous years of merit full time law enforcement service as of December 11, 2024, if they choose, may be afforded their district of choice if their home state certification is determined equivalent to the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board standards. 

Recruits in the lateral academy will have periodic structured performance reviews with the Training Academy staff.  Performance expectations for graduation on June 5, 2025, will be continually monitored.  If your performance does not meet the criteria for graduation as determined by the Superintendent, you will have the option to continue in the traditional recruit academy with a graduation date of July 17, 2025.

*Note: Lateral Police Officers must be at least 21 and less than 40 years of age when appointed as a police employee on June 5, 2025.

Recruits of the 87^th Recruit Academy are offered an excellent health care plan, including medical, dental, vision, and pharmacy coverage for current and retired employees, along with their families, until reaching age 65.  The Indiana State Police pension program provides a lifetime pension after 25 years of service.  Additionally, the Indiana State Police Department provides comprehensive disability coverage and a life insurance program.  Student loan forgiveness programs are being offered at this time through the following:  https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service                                                                

Interested applicants can obtain additional information about an Indiana State Trooper career by visiting IndianaTrooper.com. Applicants can also contact a recruiter at isprecruiting@isp.in.gov.