Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Friday, October 27, 2017
(BEDFORD) - John M. Plummer, III, Juvenile Referee of the Lawrence Circuit Court and former local attorney, has announced his intention to run as Republican candidate for Judge of the Lawrence Superior Court I in the 2018 elections.
Plummer, who was appointed as juvenile referee by Lawrence Circuit Court Judge Andrea K. McCord in May 2014, said he plans to run for the office of Superior Court judge, which is currently held by Judge Michael A. Robbins. Robbins is not expected to seek re-election.
In his capacity as juvenile referee, Plummer presides over cases involving juvenile delinquency, CHINS (child abuse and neglect filed by CPS), termination of parental rights, and paternity (including issues of custody, parenting time and child support). Plummer also presides over the Lawrence County Juvenile Problem Solving Court.
Through the Juvenile Problem Solving Court, Plummer implemented evidence-based best practices through community partnerships and collaboration with local schools, mental health providers and Indiana University in an effort to provide effective and lasting rehabilitation services to the youth that have found their way into the juvenile justice system. With the alarming rise in drug abuse and addictions to drugs such as methamphetamine and heroin in our community, Plummer has been on the front lines, presiding over hundreds of cases affecting not only those addicted to drugs, but making decisions about the best interests of the children who have found themselves caught in the family struggle of addiction.
Prior to his appointment as juvenile referee, Plummer practiced law for more than 18 years in Bedford alongside his father, John M. Plummer Jr. Plummer is licensed to practice law in all courts in the state of Indiana, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Chicago. Plummer has practiced extensively in the areas of criminal law, family law, contract disputes, personal injury and wrongful death. Plummer has been previously certified as co-trial counsel in capital murder defense (death penalty) pursuant to Indiana Criminal Rule 24. Plummer has also served as attorney for the Lawrence County CASA program, through which he trained and represented community volunteers to be the "voice of the children" in court proceedings involving abused and neglected children.
Plummer currently serves on several local non-profit boards. In October 2016, the Indiana Supreme Court appointed Plummer to serve on the Juvenile Benchbook Committee with 11 other judicial officers from across the state, providing guidance to judges in the areas of CHINS and delinquency.
While Plummer has announced his intention to run, the first day an official declaration of candidacy can be filed is Jan. 10. The chairman of Plummer's judicial campaign is former state senator and longtime local attorney Brent E. Steele, and Craig L. Turpen, CPA, will be serving as campaign treasurer.
Plummer, a lifelong resident of Lawrence County, is a 1986 graduate of Bedford North Lawrence High School and a 1990 graduate of Indiana University. Plummer received his law degree from Cooley Law School (Western Michigan University) in 1996. Plummer is married and has three children.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.