US Supreme Court Examines Services for Self-Represented Litigants

The treatment of self-represented litigants is an ongoing dilemma for Indiana courts. Judges grapple with questions of how to effectively ensure access to justice for these litigants, who may be at a disadvantage in proceedings where important rights are at stake. This question was addressed by the United States Supreme Court in 2011 [...]

Who’s Overseeing the Overseers?

A Report on the State of Adult Guardianship in Indiana
The Indiana Adult Guardianship State Task Force was convened in spring 2008. The Task Force membership includes key Indiana public/private agencies and organizations that serve or advocate for at-risk adults in need of guardianship services and individual guardianship professionals, advocates and others with an interest [...]

How a Guardianship Registry Benefits the Citizens of Indiana

An online registry tracking adult guardianships would enhance the protection of vulnerable adults, provide courts and law enforcement with vital and timely information, and allow for greater monitoring of guardianships across the state. The Probate Committee of the Judicial Conference of Indiana, in conjunction with the Indiana Adult Guardianship Task Force (IAGS), has been charged [...]

Access to Justice Workshop

“Because we’re here, I hope one less person is going to be a victim of domestic violence, one less person is going to be denied their benefits, one less person is going to feel shut out of the legal system that they thought was a promise to all of us.”

This was expressed by Justice Nathan [...]

Olympic Medalist Frank Shorter Delivered Moving Keynote Address at the 2012 Indiana Probation Officers Annual Conference

The Indiana Probation Officers meet annually to share information concerning legislative, judicial and other developments that impact their profession, to fulfill their continuing education requirements, and to hear from interesting and inspiring speakers. On May 3, 2012 they were fortunate to hear the words of one of our true American heroes who spoke openly [...]

When the Honorable Judge Has Been Served…Send it to me!

The unpleasant day might arrive when a summons or a notice arrives that names a judge as a defendant. Do not fret, just send it to me! There are four primary types of notices or summons that may land on a judge’s desk: unemployment claims, discrimination charges, notice of tort claims and [...]

Supreme Court Addresses Access to Justice Issues in the Small Claims Courts of Marion County

The Indiana Supreme Court recently sought the assistance of the Supreme Court Rules Committee and a specially appointed Task Force in addressing some potential access to justice issues in the Marion County Small Claims Court system. The matters were introduced to a national audience in an article appearing in the July 18, 2011 [...]

CASA Rally at Indiana State House

See more photos from the CASA Rally on Flickr
Volunteers from Indiana’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs came from across the state and took part in a rally in Indianapolis on March 5th. Approximately 350 people clothed in blue T-shirts filled the north atrium of the State House. The goal of the rally [...]

Fostering Futures: A Program for Older Foster Youth

There is little hope for a good future for foster youth who age out of the foster care system without a permanent family. These young people often drop out of school, become unemployed, homeless, or end up incarcerated. Aging out of foster care without a permanent home is the highest risk outcome for [...]

Providing Legal Advice and Support for Family Members

After taking the oath of office, new judges find that their former roles in the community sometimes must be adjusted, especially when it comes to doling out legal advice. Prior to taking the bench, the judge may have served as the “go-to” person when neighbors, friends, and family members had legal questions or disputes [...]

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