By Hon. Mark S. Massa, Indiana Supreme Court & Hon. Cale J. Bradford, Indiana Court Of Appeals A busy year awaits the newly created Marion County Judicial Selection Committee (MCJSC). Pursuant to 2017 legislation, the state’s largest county now joins Allen, Lake, and St. Joseph counties in using merit selection to identify candidates for gubernatorial appointment to […]
Features
Customer Service in Today’s Courts
By Jill Acklin, Indiana Office of Court Services Every day we can provide superior customer service to the citizens with whom we come into contact—our “customers.” Judges are taking innovative approaches to customer service and are sharing what they have learned. Often those who speak with court staff are intimidated, afraid, or confused by the […]
2017 Winter Workshop
By Julie C.S. McDonald, Indiana Office of Court Services Understanding Race: Beyond Black & White More than 200 judicial officers attended the day-long 2017 Winter Workshop called Understanding Race: Beyond Black & White. Speakers included nationally-known TED Talks presenter and former prosecutor Adam Foss, Indiana University professor of American Studies Rasul Mowatt, Indiana judges, and […]
Legacy of Vivian Bridgeforth Smith
Related article: 2017 Winter Workshop By Hon. Sheryl Lynch, Marion Circuit Court On October 12, 2017, my grandmother, Vivian Bridgeforth Smith, ascended into heaven at 101 years of age. She was born on May 19, 1916, in Alabama in the home of her grandparents, George and Jennie Andrews Bridgeforth. She was the daughter of Bascomb and […]
$6.3M in grants distributed to 83 counties
The Indiana Office of Court Services (IOCS) distributed more than $6.3 million in grants to 83 counties. IOCS houses several programs with specific judicial focuses meant to assist children, families, the elderly, and those with physical disabilities. The amount allocated for each program is determined by various methods, and is distributed from funds allocated by […]
15 Honored for Outstanding Service to Legal Profession, the Public, and Civic Education
The Indiana Bar Foundation honored a group of servant-leaders at its December 10 recognition dinner at the Crowne Plaza/Union Station in downtown Indianapolis. The group of attorneys and judges included those dedicated to the delivery of pro bono legal services, civic education, and service to the legal profession and the public through community service. Whether […]
Oral Argument on the road in Vanderburgh County
On October 30, the Indiana Supreme Court heard an oral argument in southern Indiana rather than in the Supreme Court Courtroom in Indianapolis. The Court schedules arguments twice a year outside the capital to allow students, press, and public in other areas of the state an opportunity to see the work of the Court and […]
Justice Rucker inducted into Military Veterans Hall of Fame
On November 3, the Honorable Robert D. Rucker, Jr. was inducted into the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame. Rucker served in the Vietnam War as a member of the Army 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile) and fought to relieve Marines who were under siege at Khe Sanh. During his tour of duty, he was […]
Report highlights work of Supreme Court
On September 19, the Indiana Supreme Court’s annual report was released online. The report, which focuses on activity during fiscal year 2016-2017, offers information about the work of the Court and its affiliated agencies. In addition to providing statistics on the nearly 900 cases considered by the Court, the report also details the administrative work […]
Indiana courts celebrate National Adoption Day
To celebrate National Adoption Day 2017, thirty-two judicial officers allowed families and press the opportunity to photograph and videotape certain uncontested adoption proceedings. The Supreme Court first issued an order authorizing cameras in court in 2012 for National Adoption Day to increase public awareness of the value of adoption. This year approximately 220 children joined […]
