State Rep. Ireland Discusses Impeachment for Rogue Judges

STATEWIDE–State Representative Andrew Ireland (R-House District 90) says lawmakers should consider giving the General Assembly the power to impeach prosecutors and judges who fail to enforce state law—particularly in cases involving violent crime.

In an interview with IndyPolitics this past weekend, Ireland said the current situation in Marion County has moved beyond discretion and into neglect.

“All I’m looking for is someone who will enforce our laws, especially when it comes to violent crime. Right now, I don’t think that’s happening,” said Ireland.

He said there’s a clear reason that he wants the General Assembly to focus on judges and prosecutors.

“It doesn’t make a lot of sense to make any laws if we’re going to just have judges and prosecutors that ignore them. I don’t think policing should be our focus at the Statehouse. It’s really reigning in rogue prosecutors and rogue judges, something I’ve been working on from the very beginning,” said Ireland.

Ireland is trying to come up with legislation to impeach prosecutors and judges under certain circumstances. As it stands right now, prosecutors and circuit judges cannot be impeached.

“It’s amazing to me that I can be impeached, but the prosecutor can’t,” Ireland said. “That needs to change.”

Ireland is reminding people that prosecutors are considered state officers and are paid with state money. That is something he thinks should give the legislature standing to act if local leaders are not performing their duties.

“State tax dollars are paying Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears’ salary today,” said Ireland.

Ireland represents parts of Franklin and Perry Townships on Indianapolis’ south side

State Rep. Andrew Ireland: Impeachment Should Be On the Table for Rogue Prosecutors and Judges  was originally published on wibc.com