Crime Summit 2.0: Prosecutors Forum

Tuesday, September 20  |  from 6:30 – 8:00 PM

at Castleton United Methodist Church

Candidates for Marion County Prosecutor Answer YOUR Questions

Watch the replay of our Marion County Prosecutors Forum with Ryan Mears and Cyndi Carrasco

Crime, especially violent crime, is top of mind for Marion County Residents.

While there are many different ways to prevent and reduce crime and violence in Indianapolis, the Marion County Prosecutor’s office holds an essential role in keeping our city safe.

The 2021 Crime Summit brought together City Councilors, Law Enforcement, and Community leaders. This year, we’re bringing together both 2022 candidates for Marion County Prosecutor to answer YOUR questions.

Indianapolis Homicides By Year

Indianapolis Homicides By Year

Meet Your Candidates

Ryan Mears Marion County Prosecutor

Ryan Mears

Current Marion County Prosecutor

Ryan Mears has served nearly his entire career with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. He was drawn to public service because he wants to help people and has devoted his career to being a trial attorney who stands up for others. As Prosecutor, Mears’s goal is to use his experience to make the criminal justice system fair and to ensure that everyone is treated with respect. Together, he knows that we can build a justice system worthy of the community’s trust.

Cyndi Carrasco Candidate for Marion County Prosecutor

Cyndi Carrasco

Candidate for Marion County Prosecutor

Cyndi Carrasco is a passionate advocate committed to public service. Her nearly 20-year legal career has placed Cyndi on the front lines of advocating for Hoosiers and holding bad actors accountable. Recognized for her integrity and leadership, Cyndi was appointed as the State’s second-ever Inspector General and the first woman to hold the post in 2015. As Inspector General, Cyndi led a critical law enforcement agency, investigated white-collar criminal activity, and worked with prosecutors across the state to hold criminals accountable. Through her tenure as Inspector General, Cyndi developed a common-sense prosecutorial philosophy.

What Does The Prosecutor Do?

“Under the Constitution of the State of Indiana, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) represents the State of Indiana in criminal matters before the Marion County Superior Courts. The office has jurisdiction of all areas within the borders of MARION COUNTY, including the cities of LAWRENCE, BEECH GROVE, SOUTHPORT, and the town of SPEEDWAY; and the Indiana State Capital.

Approximately 30,000 criminal cases are resolved annually in Marion County through diversion, plea agreements, trials, and dismissals. An increasing number of matters are resolved through the Marion County Problem Solving Courts and other alternative dispositions.

The prosecutor is elected by the voters of Marion County to a four-year term and has wide discretion and immunity regarding whether/what to charge. The Marion County City-County Council must approve the prosecutor’s budget annually.

The prosecutor’s office sets standards for the criminal justice system in Marion County by increasing access to justice, fairness, and equity while maintaining the highest ethical standards and preserving the rights of victims.”

Meet Your Moderator

Jill Sheridan

Jill Sheridan Poulos

Reporter for WFYI

Jill Sheridan Poulos is a city government and policy reporter for WFYI. Previously she was a member of the IPB News teams covering health and science and at WFYI as reporter and anchor. Jill has a background in broadcasting and theater. She has worked at a number of Indianapolis media outlets doing news and traffic and spent a summer as the dolphin show narrator at the Indianapolis Zoo. She has experience as an on-air personality and an actress. She graduated from Miami University in Ohio.

Ask Your Questions

Over 150 questions were submitted by residents of Indianapolis. Those questions were then grouped by subject and intent and asked by our moderator live to Prosecutor Ryan Mears and Cyndi Carrasco.

The Venue

Castleton United Methodist Church

7101 N. Shadeland Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46250
castletonumc.org

Enter the building through the main sanctuary doors on Shadeland Avenue (look for the big white columns).

Press may attend, but no cameras will be permitted inside the building.

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