Relief for growing caseload within Clark County Court adopted by House

For immediate release:
Feb. 24, 2015

INDIANAPOLIS – Members of the Indiana House of Representatives passed legislation today authored by State Rep. Steven R. Stemler (D-Jeffersonville) allowing the Clark County Circuit Court an additional magistrate.

House Bill 1110 provides Clark County Circuit Court judges with the opportunity to jointly appoint a third magistrate to manage the growing case load. The cost of the new magistrate will be paid by the state of Indiana.

“Clark County’s largest court, Jeffersonville City Court, is closing at the end of 2015,” said Stemler. “Approximately 7,455 cases will be coming into trial courts that are already operating beyond their intended capacity. Additionally, two out of four city and town courts have closed since 2010. The closings of Charlestown and Sellersburg courts have required the trial courts to also absorb those cases.

“Our close proximity to the Louisville Metropolitan area and Clark County’s growing population are two factors in the rising number of cases,” he added.

According to the Indiana Supreme Court’s Weighted Caseload Measurement System, Clark County’s need for an additional magistrate has increased annually over the last four years. Clark County’s need is 2.1 times the number of currently employed judicial officers, the highest in Indiana.

Stemler partnered with State Reps. Gregory Steuerwald (R-Avon) and Edward Clere (R-New Albany) in this bipartisan effort.

HB 1110 was unanimously passed 92-0. The measure now advances to the Indiana Senate for additional deliberation by lawmakers.