STATEHOUSE— The Indiana Senate Appropriations Committee is considering a bill that could impact the Lawrence County court system. House Bill 1144, concerning courts and court officers, was heard by the committee and subsequently amended before a unanimous 11-0 vote.
Initially authored by Representative Chris Jeter and sponsored in the Senate by Senators Liz Brown and Eric Koch, the bill underwent significant changes during the committee hearing. While several provisions related to opioid settlement funds, Marion County small claims courts, and Delaware and Steuben County courts were removed, a provision directly impacting Lawrence County remains.
As amended, House Bill 1144 allows the Lawrence County Juvenile Court judge to appoint no more than one full-time magistrate. If the bill becomes law, this provision would grant the local juvenile court the ability to add a judicial officer to assist with its caseload.
A magistrate is a judicial officer who performs various duties delegated by a judge, such as hearing evidence, making findings of fact, and issuing recommendations. The potential addition of a full-time magistrate could help the Lawrence County Juvenile Court manage its workload more efficiently and ensure the timely resolution of cases involving children and families in the community.
It’s important to note that the bill is still in the legislative process. Following its passage out of the Senate Appropriations Committee, it will need to go through further steps in the Senate before potentially becoming law. However, including the provision for Lawrence County highlights a potential change that could impact the local judicial landscape.
Other aspects of the amended bill include:
- Allowing the Elkhart Circuit and Superior Courts judges to appoint four full-time magistrates (reduced from the original five).
- Adding two Superior courts to Hamilton County, with the first judges elected in November 2026.
- Allowing the Hamilton Circuit and Superior Courts judges to appoint two additional magistrates jointly.
- Allowing the Vigo Circuit and Superior Courts judges to appoint one magistrate jointly.
- Establishing a procedure for abolishing Circuit or Superior Courts and abolishing several courts across the state, including Blackford, Carroll, Gibson, Greene, Jennings, Monroe Circuit Court No. 9 (with an option for the county to abolish Monroe Circuit Court No. 5 or No. 6 instead), Newton, Owen Circuit Court No. 2, Pulaski, Rush, and Scott Superior Courts.
- Eliminating six full-time Marion County magistrate positions.
Lawrence County residents will focus on the provision concerning the appointment of a magistrate for the Juvenile Court as House Bill 1144 continues its journey through the Indiana legislature.
Interested parties can read the full amended bill at this link.
