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Robert W. Thacker, Judge
PO Box 230
Monticello, IN 47960
(574) 583-5032
Office Hours: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:00pm
Circuit Courts are created by the Indiana Constitution, which directs that the state be divided into several circuits by the General Assembly.1 Eighty-eight of a total of 92 counties constitute 88 circuits, while the remaining four counties are in two "joint" circuits with two counties each. There are 96 circuit court judges.
The circuit courts are vested with unlimited trial jurisdiction in all cases, except when exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction is conferred upon other courts. They also have appellate jurisdiction over appeals from city and town courts.2 Generally, the circuit courts in counties without superior or county courts maintain small claims and minor offenses divisions. Civil actions in which the amount sought to be recovered is less than $3,000 and landlord and tenant actions in which the rent due at the time of the action does not exceed $3,000 may be filed on the small claims docket.3 Class D felonies, all misdemeanors, infractions and ordinance violations are heard on the minor offenses dockets.4 Cases on the small claims docket are heard in a more informal atmosphere and without a jury.5 In the remaining counties, the small claims docket and minor offenses docket have been established within either the superior or county court of the county.
The judges of the circuit courts (with the exception of the Vanderburgh Circuit Court where the judge is elected in a nonpartisan election)6 are elected every six years by the voters of each circuit.7
1 Ind. Const., Art. 7, Sec. 7.
2. IC 33-4-4-3 and IC 33-10.1-5-9.
7. Ind. Const., Art. 7, Sec. 7; IC 33-4-4-1.
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