By Cathrin Verano, Law Librarian · Office of Communication, Education & Outreach
Three Indiana counties have recently celebrated the opening of new spaces that either house their courts or strive to keep individuals out of the justice system. In Elkhart and Morgan counties, new courthouses offer much more than additional space: they combine state-of-the art technology with nods to their historical predecessors and thoughtful ties to community groups. In Marion County, a new Family and Youth Intervention Center strives to provide a safe space, links to community resources, and evidence-based interventions for Indianapolis families.
New Judicial Campus Opens in Morgan County
On July 2, Morgan County officially opened its new judicial campus a few blocks south of the existing Morgan County Courthouse. Funded by local tax dollars, the new building houses six completely secure courtrooms: one circuit court, three superior courts, and two hearing courts, all featuring state-of-the-art technology for recording court proceedings, displaying evidence, and facilitating jury trials.
Each courtroom has a separate entrance for court defendants, secure jury spaces, a judge’s room, private restrooms, and clerical work areas. Audio assist technology is available during court sessions, and digital boards outside the courtrooms help with wayfinding and displaying the day’s schedule.
At three stories, nearly 72,000 square feet, and with parking for over 200 cars, the campus was constructed with ample space for the prosecutor and probation offices, and with future growth in mind. The existing courthouse—built in 1857—will be completely renovated for administrative use. These renovations are expected to last until late 2026 and will include replacing the roof and exterior windows, safety and security upgrades, and making the building ADA compliant.
Elkhart County Cuts the Ribbon on New Courthouse
Almost exactly two months later, the new Elkhart County Courthouse opened its doors on September 5. Chief Justice Rush attended the ribbon cutting ceremony alongside local, state, and federal representatives; bar association leadership; and other stakeholders.
The 172,000 square foot courthouse contains an initial hearing courtroom, four family courtrooms, three criminal courtrooms, two civil courtrooms, and a courtroom for the circuit court. Each courtroom features a state-of-the-art evidence presentation system with high-definition monitors, a document camera, and bring-your-own-device connectivity.
On the first floor, an access to justice center offers 19 computer stations for accessing forms and e-filing to self-represented litigants. The family court public corridor on the second floor provides accommodation for children (including a little free library), separate spaces for disputing families, lactation rooms, and a secure waiting room for child witnesses.
The criminal and civil courtrooms are on the third and fourth floors, respectively, with hearing rooms, jury deliberation suites, and staff offices located on both. The complex offers 300 public parking spaces, including accommodations for both electric vehicles and horse and buggy posts for Elkhart County’s Amish litigants.
While security and technological innovation were foregrounded in the development and construction of the courthouse, there is no shortage of artistic details and community tie-ins in the building’s design and decorative scheme. On the large gallery wall of the circuit courtroom is an Abraham Lincoln campaign banner painted by Goshen artist J. H. Dille for a political rally held at the first Elkhart County Courthouse on October 6, 1860. There are 47 framed photos of Elkhart County taken by local artists hung throughout the building. All of the solid wood benches in the public hallways are from an Indianapolis-based organization that helps rebuild the lives of individuals struggling with addiction, homelessness, incarceration, or other obstacles.
In remarks given during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Judge David Bonfiglio shared that he received two small stones—one reading “hope” and the other reading “courage”—at a recent judicial conference. In recognition and remembrance of the qualities community members often draw upon when walking through the courthouse doors, these two stones were embedded in the concrete floor under the bench in Superior Court 6.
Marion County Welcomes Visitors to New Family and Youth Intervention Center
On July 25, Judge Amy Jones invited guests to an open house for the new Family and Youth Intervention Center soon to open in Indianapolis. While its intended purpose is to keep local youth out of the justice system, the project was spearheaded by the Marion Superior Court and the Marion County Probation Department. The probation department has begun the licensing process for operations through the Indiana Department of Child Services.
Once open, the FYI Center will offer a new and innovative resource for Marion County youth and families, promoting well-being and community resources outside of the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. In addition to 24 beds (16 short-term and 8 long-term) for youth ages 12-17, the center offers common areas, a small library, amenity kits, a gymnasium, and a closet stocked with thoughtfully selected items available to young members of the community.
Specially trained staff will work with area service providers to offer evidence-based interventions such as mental health services, housing, transportation, clothing, and food resources. Self-referrals are welcome, as are referrals from law enforcement, detention staff, schools, probation officers, and community organizations. The hope of the Marion Superior Court is that the FYI Center will provide a safe space for youth in crisis, reduce the number of young people in secure detention, and decrease negative outcomes associated with detention.
Each of these three new facilities was specifically designed either to house its respective county’s judiciary or to innovatively fulfill a need identified by its court. With all three buildings celebrating their completion between July and September, the summer season was an invigorating time for the judges, court staff, and residents of Morgan, Elkhart, and Marion counties.