Since being reinstituted by the Supreme Court on August 16, 2016, the Senior Judge Committee has been busy. Under the leadership of its Chair, former Chief Justice Brent E. Dickson, and the efforts of Committee members: Judge Steven R. Eichholtz (Marion Superior Court), Judge Bradley B. Jacobs (Clark Circuit Court 2), Judge Charles K. Todd, Jr. (Wayne Superior Court), Senior Judge Cecile A. Blau, Senior Judge Stephen R. Heimann, and Senior Judge Terry C. Shewmaker, the Committee has tackled several subjects.
The Court charged the Committee with making recommendations regarding the utilization of senior judges and the administration of the program. The Court provided: “[t]he Committee shall endeavor to promote the effective utilization of senior judges by the trial and appellate courts, to promote and increase the participation of senior judges, and to identify and recommend expanded opportunities and uses for senior judges within the Indiana judiciary.”
At the Committee’s first meeting on September 9, 2016, it recommended to the Court that the per diem paid to senior judges for service after 30 days be increased to the statutory maximum of $250. By statute, IC 33-23-3-5, senior judges receive $100 per day for their first 30 days of service. After that they receive up to a maximum of $250 per day for service days, which are limited to 100 days per year.
The per diem compensation for service after 30 days is determined each year by the Supreme Court based upon the availability of funds. In the past, the Court has set compensation at less than $250 per day. For example, in 2016, the first 30 days were paid at $100 per day, days 31 to 74 were paid at $175 per day, and days 75 to 100 were compensated at $200 per day. By order issued December 30, 2016, the Court adopted the Senior Judge Committee’s recommendation to pay the maximum $250 per day for service beyond 30 days in 2017.
Also at the September meeting, the Committee laid the groundwork for gathering information about the program’s successes, areas needing improvement, and ways to boost senior judge utilization. Further, the Committee decided to explore the creation of a method to assist in matching senior judges with courts needing assistance. The Committee also agreed to explore educational opportunities for senior judges.
At its April 2017 meeting, the Committee continued its work on the projects identified at the September meeting. The Committee also developed a recommendation asking the Court to invite senior judges to attend the district meetings held by the Court with trial judges.
The Committee viewed this as an excellent opportunity for senior judge and trial court judges to develop contacts that would well serve both parties. The Court has adopted this recommendation on an experimental basis.
Also in April, the Committee received a report from the Office of Court Services regarding a webinar held for senior judges on April 26, 2017. Eighteen senior judges received training on using Odyssey during the webinar. Additionally, with the encouragement of the Committee, advanced training was facilitated by the Office of Court Services on May 15 and June 12.
The Committee has continued to gather information and to explore means of making the Senior Judge Program a beneficial experience for both senior judges and trial court judges.
To submit suggestions to the Committee or for information about the Senior Judge Program, contact Tom Carusillo at [email protected] or 317-232-2542.