Bill Regarding Indiana Judges Gets Modified at Statehouse

STATEHOUSE–You may be following the bill that would eliminate some courts and judgeships across the state in the name of saving money. That bill has advanced in the Indiana General Assembly, with some changes.

One of the changes is that instead of 11 counties, courts will now be eliminated in nine counties.

“It represents…a taxpayer-focused view of the judiciary, where we’re looking at what’s really needed, not just adding all the time, but also looking, hey where can we take?” said Rep. Chris Jeter, a Republican from Fishers.

It may seem counter to what you’ve always heard from politicians, who talk about the need for more judges. But, Jeter said the formula they used is based on caseload and they are trying to shift things around to make sure state money goes to provide judges where they are most needed.

“The countries that are giving up courts are those that are shown on the metrics to be heavy. We have tried to communicate with all of them,” he said. “In some of them the counties have sort of agreed with us that the cuts need to be made.”

He said some judges are retiring and won’t be replaced and in some courts the seats are already empty.

The bill passed out of conference committee, where the negotiations happened. It must go again before the General Assembly in its modified form.