Indiana Superior Courts Explained

The U.S. state of Indiana has three names for its county trial level courts: circuit courts, superior courts, and local city or town courts.^[1]

Details

"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]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Court Reference, Finding Court Records in Indiana, Indiana Courts Overview .
2. Web site: Branch . Indiana Judicial . 2020-11-09 . Learn about Indiana's Court System . 2024-05-25 . Indiana Judicial Branch . en.
3. Web site: July 1, 2023 . United States Census Bureau, QuickFacts, Howard County, Indiana .
4. Web site: County . Howard . 2023-07-19 . Circuit Court . 2024-05-25 . Howard County . en.
5. Web site: County . Howard . 2023-07-19 . Superior Court I . 2024-05-25 . Howard County . en.
6. Web site: InDepth Profile: STATS Indiana . 2024-05-25 . www.stats.indiana.edu.
7. Web site: indy.gov . 2024-05-25 . www.indy.gov . en.
8. Web site: Services . Office of Court . 2024-03-14 . Commercial Courts Committee . 2024-05-25 . Office of Court Services . en.
9. Web site: 2023-10-25 . Judge Heather Welch retiring from Marion County bench, continuing career in the law - THE INDIANA CITIZEN . 2024-05-25 . en-US.
10. Web site: Courts - Elkhart County . 2024-05-25 . elkhartcounty.com.
11. Web site: Superior Court . 2024-05-25 . lakecounty.in.gov.
12. Web site: County . Floyd . 2023-06-27 . Superior Court 3 . 2024-05-25 . Floyd County . en.
13. Web site: Superior Court / Vanderburgh County . 2024-05-25 . www.evansvillegov.org.
14. Web site: Allen Superior Court – Official Website for Allen Superior Court in Fort Wayne, Indiana . 2024-05-25 . en-US.
15. Book: Indiana Commercial Courts Working Group . Indiana Commercial Courts Handbook . 2023 . 2nd . January 31, 2023 . 6.
16. In the Indiana Supreme Court, In Re Indiana Commercial Courts, Supreme Court Case No. 19S-MS-295, Order (May 12, 2019)
17. Web site: Courts, Hamilton County, Indiana . 2024-05-25 . www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov.
18. Web site: Vigo Superior Court Division I . 2024-05-25 . Vigo County, Indiana . en.
19. Web site: Superior Court St. Joseph County, IN . 2024-05-25 . www.sjcindiana.com.
20. Web site: Court Reference, Madison County, Indiana Court Directory .
21. Book: Indiana Commercial Courts Working Group . Indiana Commercial Courts Handbook . 2023 . 2nd . January 31, 2023 . 9.
22. Web site: Branch . Indiana Judicial . 2021-08-20 . Judicial Selection . 2024-05-25 . Indiana Judicial Branch . en.