INDIANAPOLIS – State Representative Jud McMillin (R-Brookville) was awarded a Champion of Justice award by the Indiana Judges Association (IJA).
The award recognizes his work in the Indiana General Assembly during the 2014 legislative session on a variety of criminal justice and judiciary related matters. The award was presented to Rep. McMillin, Chairman of the Courts and Criminal Code Committee and a member of the Judiciary Committee, at the IJA’s annual seminar in French Lick.
According to the IJA, Rep. McMillin approached each issue with fairness, allowing members of the committee, experts and Hoosiers the opportunity to voice their opinion on each issue. These qualities, along with the legislation he authored during session, earned him the Champion of Justice Award. The award was created in 2013 and is intended to recognize legislators for dedication to the cause of justice for our fellow citizens.
“Rep. McMillin was instrumental in ensuring that the sentencing reform bill preserved judicial discretion in sentencing, which allows for judges to sentence based on the facts of the crime involved. He took a very reasoned and pragmatic approach to both the proposed changes to the bail system and the Marion County Small Claims courts by recognizing that studies that were already underway in these areas should be allowed to proceed before making changes to either system,” said Judge John Pera, President of the IJA. “The IJA is very appreciative of his willingness to discuss these issues with us and to approach each decision in an open, deliberative and forthright manner.”
The IJA is a voluntary association of judges and magistrates who work together in an effort to make the administration of justice easier to access and the records more readily available to the public.
“I am humbled to receive the Champion of Justice Award,” said Rep. McMillin. “As a lawyer, I have a unique appreciation for the work that the IJA contributes to our state. Being a recipient of this award is truly an honor. I look forward to continuing our state’s work to strengthen our justice system and protect Hoosiers.”
