In late summer 2009, the Supreme Court awarded nearly $350,000 to 12 courts across the state for the study and implementation of various programs designed to help courts streamline their operations. Under the Court Reform Grant (CRG) Program, grants of up to $30,000 are available for initial efficiency studies, while grants of up to $40,000 are available to put these study recommendations into action. For the 2010 … [Read more...] about Update on Court Reform Grants
Online Tools
Supreme Court Website Helps Courts Manage Self-Represented Litigants
Almost every trial judge knows that there is a growing number of litigants who represent themselves in court, either by choice or because they cannot afford to hire attorneys. In 2008, more than 400,000 people represented themselves in Indiana trial courts. Those individuals may go to court without the benefit of an attorney, but that doesn’t mean the self-represented litigant must do so without some guidance. The … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Website Helps Courts Manage Self-Represented Litigants
New Online Child Support Calculator
JTAC web development staff and the Indiana Judicial Conference's Domestic Relations Committee have spent the end of 2009 building a new child support calculator to comply with amendments to the Indiana Child Support Guidelines effective on January 1, 2010. Changes to the Guidelines that had the most impact on the calculator include a new form for Health Insurance Premiums and new guideline schedules for basic child … [Read more...] about New Online Child Support Calculator
New Roads Ahead for Self-Represented Litigants
Almost 10 years ago, a small team of individuals headed west to learn about the latest findings and information concerning the rising trend in “pro se litigation.” With the leadership, vision, and support of Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard, Judge David Coleman (Hendricks), Judge Gregory Donat (Tippecanoe) and Staci Terry, Esq. (formerly with Indiana Legal Services) attended the National Conf … [Read more...] about New Roads Ahead for Self-Represented Litigants
Update on Court Reform Grants
Last summer, the Supreme Court awarded monies from its Court Reform Grant Program for five study projects to courts in the following counties: Allen, Clark, Fountain and Warren, Hamilton, and Marion, plus one grant for an implementation project in Elkhart County. The purpose of the grant program is to encourage courts to streamline court operations and improving efficiency. Under this ongoing program, funds are a … [Read more...] about Update on Court Reform Grants