White County Superior Court

Robert B. Mrzlack, Judge

White County Building
101 North Main Street
PO Box 1005
Monticello, IN 47960

(574) 583-9520

Hours of operation:  Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm

Agency Functions

Superior Courts are created by the General Assembly as local judicial needs change. Though their organization and jurisdiction may vary from county to county, for the most part, they are courts of general jurisdiction. They have the same appellate jurisdiction as circuit courts over appeals from city and town courts.¹

As of December 31, 1997, there were 182 superior court judges, with one of them serving two counties. ² In some of the counties, statutory language sets up one unified superior court with two or more judges, while others, through internal rules, operate their courts as unified county systems.

In counties which have superior courts but no county courts, the small claims and minor offenses divisions are established in the superior courts. These divisions have the same small claims and minor offenses dockets as the circuit courts.

With the exception of four counties, the superior court judges are elected at a general election for six-year terms.

In Lake³ and St. Joseph Counties, the superior court judges are nominated by a local nominating commission and then appointed by the governor for six-year terms. Thereafter, they run on a "yes - no" retention ballot. The judges of the Vanderburgh Superior Court are elected in non-partisan elections. In Allen County the superior court judges are elected at the general election on a separate ballot without party designation. Vacancies, however, are filled by the governor from a list of three candidates nominated by the Allen County Judicial Nominating Commission.

1. IC 33-10.1-5-9.

2. One superior court serves both Ohio and Switzerland counties.

3. Effective 1/1/89, the three Lake County Courts became Superior Courts, County Court Division. However, as the County Court Division, they continue to be elected in a political election. IC 33-5-29.5-42.5, as added by P.L. 334-1989.

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