Victims of violence in Indiana can now file petitions seeking court protection orders electronically from the privacy and safety of a victim advocate’s office or a domestic violence shelter. Over 250 victim advocates in more than 79 counties have been given access and trained to use a new Advocate Access site for the statewide Protection Order Registry (POR). Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds through the Indiana Cr … [Read more...] about One Less Obstacle for Abuse Victims Seeking Court Intervention
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Allen County Courts Prepare for the Unexpected
Just as Jefferson County’s Courthouse fire of 2009 demonstrated the catastrophic impact of unforeseen events, ongoing efforts undertaken by the Allen County Courts are leading the way in preparing for such disruptions that could occur at any time. Agreeing to take the lead in helping to evolve the Indiana Courts Continuity Program in a way that will ultimately benefit all courts, Allen County has partnered with the D … [Read more...] about Allen County Courts Prepare for the Unexpected
Hon. Terry Shewmaker
This is the eighth of our Court Times articles that highlight up close and personal a member of the Indiana Judiciary. Elkhart County Circuit Court Judge Terry C. Shewmaker is our judge featured in this issue. Judge Shewmaker was first elected as Circuit Court Judge in 1998, and re-elected in 2004. He graduated from Indiana State University, cum laude, in 1969, and attended DePaul Law School and Notre Dame Law School … [Read more...] about Hon. Terry Shewmaker
Problem Solving Courts in Indiana
All Indiana judges are familiar with the “revolving door” of the criminal justice system. Individuals are sentenced for relatively minor criminal offenses, only to return months later facing new and frequently more serious charges. While terms of imprisonment seem to curb criminal activity for a period of time, eventually the re-offending individual reverts back to old behaviors leading to new arrests, convictions an … [Read more...] about Problem Solving Courts in Indiana
The National Center for State Courts: An Excellent Resource
Indiana judges, clerks and their staffs don’t need to read statistical reports to know that thousands of cases are flowing through their courts and that the number is constantly increasing. They intuitively know from their daily work and the many litigants that come through their courts’ doors that state courts dispense justice in the United States. But if they wanted to verify this hunch, where is a good source to h … [Read more...] about The National Center for State Courts: An Excellent Resource