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Indiana Superior Courts

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The U.S. State of Indiana has two types of state courts: Trial Courts and Appellate Courts. Trial courts are courts of general jurisdiction, meaning they have the power to hear any civil or criminal case. Indiana Superior Courts is one of four trial courts in Indiana State; the other three are Circuit Courts, County Courts, and City or Town Courts. The four courts have more similarities than differences in their functions.

The Superior Court is an additional court created by the Indiana General Assembly in response to the growing local need for more trial courts. Most Indiana trial courts are Superior Courts, and nearly all Indiana counties have a Superior Court in addition to their Circuit Court. The Superior Court will handle small claims and minor offenses in the absence of a county court system.[1]

Details

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"Trial courts have different names primarily due to accidents of legislative history and local custom, not true differences in the nature or purpose of the courts. The cases these courts hear can vary tremendously from county to county."[2] For example, in Howard County, Indiana, with a population of less than 100,000,[3] the Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases and exclusive jurisdiction over juvenile cases,[4] while the Superior Court 1 primarily hears criminal drug and domestic violence cases.[5] By contrast, in Marion County, Indiana's largest county,[6] the Superior Court "has jurisdiction over all criminal cases, civil issues and family case types filed in the county."[7]

In 2016, the Indiana Supreme Court began a Commercial Court[8] Pilot Project in six county Superior Courts, appointing "Marion Superior Court Judge Heather Welch;[9] Elkhart Superior Court[10] Judge Stephen Bowers; Lake Superior Court[11] Judge John Sedia; Floyd Superior Court Judge Maria Granger;[12] Vanderburgh Superior Court[13] Judge Richard D’Amour; and Allen Superior Court[14] Judge Craig Bobay."[15] In 2020, the Supreme Court expanded the now permanent[16] Commercial Court into four more counties, three with Superior Courts (Hamilton,[17] Vigo,[18] and St. Joseph[19]) and one with a Circuit Court (Madison[20]).[21]

Judges are typically elected to the Superior Court, except in limited circumstances.[22]

References

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  1. ^ "The Indiana Trial Court System" (PDF). Purdue University. January 1, 2003.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ Branch, Indiana Judicial (November 9, 2020). "Learn about Indiana's Court System". Indiana Judicial Branch. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  3. ^ "United States Census Bureau, QuickFacts, Howard County, Indiana". July 1, 2023.
  4. ^ County, Howard (July 19, 2023). "Circuit Court". Howard County. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  5. ^ County, Howard (July 19, 2023). "Superior Court I". Howard County. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  6. ^ "InDepth Profile: STATS Indiana". www.stats.indiana.edu. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  7. ^ "indy.gov". www.indy.gov. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  8. ^ Services, Office of Court (March 14, 2024). "Commercial Courts Committee". Office of Court Services. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  9. ^ "Judge Heather Welch retiring from Marion County bench, continuing career in the law - THE INDIANA CITIZEN". October 25, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  10. ^ "Courts - Elkhart County". elkhartcounty.com. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  11. ^ "Superior Court". lakecounty.in.gov. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  12. ^ County, Floyd (June 27, 2023). "Superior Court 3". Floyd County. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  13. ^ "Superior Court / Vanderburgh County". www.evansvillegov.org. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  14. ^ "Allen Superior Court – Official Website for Allen Superior Court in Fort Wayne, Indiana". Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  15. ^ Indiana Commercial Courts Working Group (2023). Indiana Commercial Courts Handbook (2nd ed.) (published January 31, 2023). p. 6.
  16. ^ In the Indiana Supreme Court, In Re Indiana Commercial Courts, Supreme Court Case No. 19S-MS-295, Order (May 12, 2019)
  17. ^ "Courts, Hamilton County, Indiana". www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  18. ^ "Vigo Superior Court Division I". Vigo County, Indiana. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  19. ^ "Superior Court | St. Joseph County, IN". www.sjcindiana.com. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  20. ^ "Court Reference, Madison County, Indiana Court Directory".
  21. ^ Indiana Commercial Courts Working Group (2023). Indiana Commercial Courts Handbook (2nd ed.) (published January 31, 2023). p. 9.
  22. ^ Branch, Indiana Judicial (August 20, 2021). "Judicial Selection". Indiana Judicial Branch. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
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