Sec. 7. (a) If the inspector general discovers evidence of criminal activity, the inspector general shall certify to the appropriate prosecuting attorney the following information:

(1) The identity of any person who may be involved in the criminal activity.

(2) The criminal statute that the inspector general believes has been violated.

In addition, the inspector general shall provide the prosecuting attorney with any relevant documents, transcripts, or written statements. If the prosecuting attorney decides to prosecute the crime described in the information certified to the prosecuting attorney, or any other related crimes, the inspector general shall cooperate with the prosecuting attorney in the investigation and prosecution of the case. Upon request of the prosecuting attorney, the inspector general may participate on behalf of the state in any resulting criminal trial.

(b) If:

(1) the prosecuting attorney to whom the inspector general issues a certification under subsection (a):

(A) is disqualified from investigating or bringing a criminal prosecution in the matter addressed in the certification;

(B) does not file an information or seek an indictment not later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the date on which the inspector general certified the information to the prosecuting attorney; or

(C) refers the case back to the inspector general; and

(2) the inspector general finds that there may be probable cause to believe that a person identified in a certification under subsection (a)(1) has violated a criminal statute identified in a certification under subsection (a)(2);

the inspector general may request that the governor recommend the inspector general be appointed as a special prosecuting attorney under subsection (h) so that the inspector general may prosecute the matter addressed in the certification.

(c) The governor may recommend the inspector general be appointed as a special prosecuting attorney if:

(1) one (1) of the conditions set forth in subsection (b)(1) relating to the prosecuting attorney is met; and

(2) the governor finds that the appointment of the inspector general as a special prosecuting attorney is in the best interests of justice.

(d) If the governor has recommended the appointment of the inspector general as a special prosecuting attorney, the inspector general shall file a notice with the chief judge of the court of appeals, stating:

(1) that the governor has recommended that the inspector general be appointed as a special prosecutor;

(2) the name of the county in which the crime that the inspector general intends to prosecute is alleged to have been committed; and

(3) that the inspector general requests the chief judge to assign a court of appeals judge to determine whether the inspector general should be appointed as a special prosecuting attorney.

Upon receipt of the notice, the chief judge of the court of appeals shall randomly select a judge of the court of appeals to determine whether the inspector general should be appointed as a special prosecuting attorney. The chief judge shall exclude from the random selection a judge who resided in the county in which the crime is alleged to have been committed at the time the judge was appointed to the court of appeals.

(e) The inspector general shall file a verified petition for appointment as a special prosecuting attorney with the court of appeals judge assigned under subsection (d). In the verified petition, the inspector general shall set forth why the inspector general should be appointed as a special prosecutor. The inspector general may support the verified petition by including relevant documents, transcripts, or written statements in support of the inspector general's position. The inspector general shall serve a copy of the verified petition, along with any supporting evidence, on the prosecuting attorney to whom the case was originally certified under subsection (a).

(f) The prosecuting attorney shall file a verified petition in support of or opposition to the inspector general's verified petition for appointment as a special prosecuting attorney not later than fifteen (15) days after receipt of the inspector general's verified petition for appointment as a special prosecuting attorney.

(g) Upon a showing of particularized need, the court of appeals judge may order the verified petitions filed by the inspector general and the prosecuting attorney to be confidential.

(h) After considering the verified petitions, the court of appeals judge may appoint the inspector general or a prosecuting attorney, other than the prosecuting attorney to whom the case was certified under this section, as a special prosecuting attorney if the judge finds that:

(1) one (1) of the conditions set forth in subsection (b)(1) is met; and

(2) appointment of a special prosecuting attorney is in the best interests of justice.

In making its determination under this subsection, the court of appeals judge shall consider only the arguments and evidence contained in the verified petitions.

(i) Except as provided in subsection (k), a special prosecuting attorney appointed under this section has the same powers as the prosecuting attorney of the county. However, the court of appeals judge shall:

(1) limit the scope of the special prosecuting attorney's duties as a special prosecuting attorney to include only the investigation or prosecution of a particular case or particular grand jury investigation, including any matter that reasonably results from the investigation, prosecution, or grand jury investigation; and

(2) establish for a time certain the length of the special prosecuting attorney's term.

If the special prosecuting attorney's investigation or prosecution acquires a broader scope or requires additional time to complete, the court of appeals judge may at any time increase the scope of the special prosecuting attorney's duties or establish a longer term for the special prosecuting attorney.

(j) An inspector general or prosecuting attorney appointed to serve as a special prosecuting attorney may appoint one (1) or more deputies who are licensed to practice law in Indiana to serve as a special deputy prosecuting attorney. A special deputy prosecuting attorney is subject to the same statutory restrictions and other restrictions imposed on the special prosecuting attorney by the court of appeals, but otherwise has the same powers as a deputy prosecuting attorney.

(k) An inspector general or prosecuting attorney appointed to serve as a special prosecuting attorney under this section may bring a criminal charge only after obtaining an indictment from a grand jury. An inspector general or prosecuting attorney appointed under this section to serve as a special prosecuting attorney may not bring a criminal charge by filing an information.

(l) The inspector general or a deputy inspector general who is licensed to practice law in Indiana may serve as a special deputy prosecuting attorney under IC 33-39-10-3.

(m) If the court of appeals appoints a prosecuting attorney to serve as a special prosecuting attorney under this section, the inspector general shall reimburse the prosecuting attorney for the reasonable expenses of investigating and prosecuting the case.

As added by P.L.222-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.57-2014, SEC.2.