Indiana Court Times

Published by the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration

Disaster Planning

Devastating Tornado Hits Southern Indiana & Thirty-Five Lawyers Raise the Bar

The drive home from Indianapolis that Friday seemed uneventful and was one I had taken many times. I passed the Henryville Exit on I-65 around 2:15 P.M. on March 2, 2012. The skies were gray but not ominous. I was listening to a commercial/free radio station and had no clue of the looming dangerous weather conditions. In just a few hours violent tornados would cause enormous damage to that little town and the … [Read more...] about Devastating Tornado Hits Southern Indiana & Thirty-Five Lawyers Raise the Bar

Jefferson County Courthouse Rededicated Two Years after Three-Alarm Fire

On a sunny day in downtown Madison, just two years after a fire nearly destroyed the historic Jefferson County Courthouse, a group of dignitaries, veterans, first responders, media, and local residents gathered to witness the courthouse rededication ceremony. “The courthouse has been restored to its rightful place as the center of law and government,” remarked Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Ted R. Todd. The dome, cup … [Read more...] about Jefferson County Courthouse Rededicated Two Years after Three-Alarm Fire

Reporting Security Incidents

Every day Indiana’s courts resolve disputes, sentence criminals, assess fines, grant divorces, order custody and visitation, and order the payment of money from one party to another. The inherently contentious nature of the matters that come before our courts sometimes give rise to situations that threaten courthouse security. The development of effective policies and programs aimed at preventing and controlling t … [Read more...] about Reporting Security Incidents

Where there's smoke, there's… water?

Thanks to the quick and knowledgeable responses by Tippecanoe Clerk Christa Coffey and her staff, no records of permanent value were lost as a result of a fire in the courthouse annex. The fire—deemed “suspicious” by the Lafayette Fire Department—occurred in the overnight hours of May 3rd and May 4th. Clerk's office staff were concerned about the impact of the fire and smoke on the records, but the major damage was … [Read more...] about Where there's smoke, there's… water?

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