Cover Stories

Revolutionary move away from paper in progress

September 21, 2016

Indiana’s e-filing project is at full steam just two years after the Supreme Court announced it would pursue a uniform, statewide system. By the end of 2018, all Indiana courts will have voluntary e-filing available, and attorneys will be required to electronically file most pleadings. Twenty-first century pioneers Change is difficult; progress is even harder. But that didn’t stop court and clerk officials in Hamilton County from volunteering to pilot e-filing. They were an early adopter of the state’s Odyssey case management system, so they understood the challenges and... [Read the full story]

Features

Geoffrey Slaughter sworn in as member of Supreme Court

September 21, 2016

Justice Slaughter’s colleagues applaud during his formal investiture ceremony in the Supreme Court Courtroom. On August 11, colleagues, friends, and family filled the atrium outside the Indiana Supreme Court Courtroom to offer well-wishes and congratulations to the newest Justice of the Court – Geoffrey Slaughter. Justice Slaughter officially joined the Court in June, when he was sworn-in by Chief Justice Loretta Rush during a private ceremony. Justice Slaughter’s public swearing-in came three months after Governor Mike Pence announced his appointment as the 109th Justice.... [Read the full story]

Court Technology

GAL/CASA programs implement statewide Case Management System

June 23, 2016

Courts appoint individuals from Guardian ad Litem/Court-Appointed Special Advocates (GAL/CASA) programs to advocate for the best interests of children in child abuse and neglect proceedings, as well as in other types of cases. Thanks to additional funding from the Indiana General Assembly, the State Office of GAL/CASA (Guardian ad Litem/Court Appointed Special Advocates) purchased Optima, a web-based case management system for GAL/CASA programs in Indiana. Optima, a product of Evinto Solutions, was specifically developed for GAL/CASA programs and is currently being utilized... [Read the full story]

Sidebar

Hon. Beth Ann Butsch

September 21, 2016

Judge Beth Ann Butsch receives a certificate from Chief Justice Loretta Rush after graduating the Indiana Judicial College in 2015. This is the thirty-ninth of our Court Times articles that highlight up close and personal a member of the Indiana Judiciary. Fayette Circuit Court Judge Beth Ann Butsch is our judge featured in this issue. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Indiana University in 1981, and her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Indiana University McKinney School of Law (Indianapolis) in 1985. Following graduation from law school, she was employed as a Deputy... [Read the full story]

Family Violence

Are ACEs in your Courtroom?

September 21, 2016

Adults have one thing in common: we were once children. The quality of one’s childhood may have been tumultuous, nurturing, or a little of both. Certain events from childhood can stay with a person, sometimes long into adulthood. There is a scientifically documented relationship between events occurring in one’s childhood and an adult’s health and well-being. There was an intriguing study done in the 1990s called the ACE Study, which looked at Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs. Starting in 1995-1997, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and Kaiser... [Read the full story]

Spotlight

Judge Harcourt receives distinguished service award

September 21, 2016

Senior Judge Barbara Harcourt stands with NCSC President Mary Campbell McQueen after receiving the NCSC Distinguished Service Award. Senior Judge Barbara Harcourt received the National Center for State Courts’ (NCSC) Distinguished Service Award on July 12 from NCSC President Mary McQueen. One of the highest awards presented by NCSC, it is presented annually to those who have made significant contributions to the justice system and who have supported NCSC’s mission. Judge Harcourt was honored for her innovative work with NCSC’s Institute for Court Management to develop... [Read the full story]