Editor’s Note: The following editorial was published by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) and reprinted here with permission from the NCSC, the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) and the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA). Williamsburg, VA (May 22, 2014) — National Public Radio’s series “Guilty and Charged,” on the harmful impact that court fees and fines can have on the poor, shines considera … [Read more...] about EDITORIAL: Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Court Administrators respond to “Guilty and Charged”
Court Administration
2014 Legislative Review
Editor’s Note: This report is a condensed version of the full report prepared by the Indiana Judicial Center (IJC) and only contains highlights of selected bills. The IJC legislative report that contains summaries of all bills of interest passed in the 2014 session can be can be found at: http://indianacourts.us/blogs/legislative. The entire text of any law, as well as any other legislative action, is available at: h … [Read more...] about 2014 Legislative Review
Improved but not perfect: Marion County Small Claims Courts two years later
In May 2012, the Marion County Small Claims Courts Task Force (“Task Force”) issued a report describing serious problems in the management and procedures of the county’s nine small claims courts. This report recommended a number of reform efforts—some of which could be accomplished by local court rule, and others which required legislative action. Before this report was issued, the Marion County Circuit Court created … [Read more...] about Improved but not perfect: Marion County Small Claims Courts two years later
Court Reform Grant Recipients
Over the last several years, state trial courts throughout the country have faced the dual problems of fluctuating caseloads and declining court funding. Indiana’s trial courts have risen to this challenge to do more with less, and have frequently looked for innovative ways by which to fill their budget gaps. One of these ways is through Indiana’s Court Reform Grant program, funded through federal reimbursements for … [Read more...] about Court Reform Grant Recipients
Clinton County Court Staff Visit State House
In 2012 more than 1.5 million cases were filed in Indiana courts. All of those cases, one way or another, passed through the hands of court staff in one of Indiana’s 92 county court systems. Very few find their way to the appellate courts in Indianapolis, but just what does happen to them when they get there? Clinton County Superior Court Judge Justin Hunter and his Clinton County court staff found out on February 1 … [Read more...] about Clinton County Court Staff Visit State House