Summer 2026 Issue
Cover Story
Judicial Resources Committee: Commitment to the Future of Indiana’s Courts
By Adam Clay, Staff Attorney | Office of Communication, Education & Outreach Indiana’s superior courts are created by statute. During the 2025 legislative session, the general assembly considered a proposal to eliminate sixteen courts across the state. Ultimately, nine judicial officer positions were abolished, and seven judicial officer positions were created in locations that the…
Features
An Interview with Jennifer Dorfmeyer, DCS Director
On April 21, 2026, Governor Mike Braun announced that Jennifer Dorfmeyer would take over as the Director of the Indiana Department of Child Services. Leslie Dunn, Director of the Children & Families Division of the Indiana Office of Court Services, connected with Dorfmeyer for a discussion about her new role and how DCS and the…
Making Her Mark: Polly Strong Case Documents Brought to Light in Knox County
By Cathrin Verano, Special Collection Development Librarian, Office of Communication, Education & Outreach Prior to being elected to the office of Knox County Clerk in 2018, David Shelton worked for over 20 years as a licensed private investigator. So, when he took on the responsibility of managing the county’s court records, he knew firsthand how…
Law Day 2026: Honoring the Rule of Law
By Erin Rae Saxena, Communication & Design Specialist, Office of Communication, Education & Outreach Law Day is a national observance that invites people across the country to reflect on the role of law in everyday life and its essential place in a democratic society. Established in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and observed annually…
Court Administration Oversight Change: Longtime Managers Promoted to Top Leadership Positions
Newly appointed CAO, Aaron Hood, and Deputy CAO, Kathryn Dolan. Aaron V. Hood was appointed by the Indiana Supreme Court in late June to take the position of Chief Administrative Officer. The CAO oversees the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration and its many agencies. Since January, Hood has served as interim CAO, continuing the office’s…
Grant Funding Across Indiana Courts
Each year, the Indiana Supreme Court and the Office of Judicial Administration (OJA) distribute state and federal grant funding to courts and justice partners across Indiana. These investments help strengthen local court operations, expand access to justice, and support programs that improve outcomes for Indiana communities. In Fiscal Year 2025-2026, OJA distributed more than $22.7…
Spotlight: Appointments, Awards, Events and Speaking Engagements & Publications
Appointments Porter County Governor Mike Braun appointed Mark Chargualaf to Porter Superior Court 6. Chargualaf has managed large and diverse caseloads as a public defender in Porter, Lake, Starke, and Pulaski counties. He has also served as judge pro tempore in the Lake Superior Court Felony Division, Merrillville Town Court, and Porter County Circuit and…