INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Interim Study Committee on Courts and the Judiciary recommended last week that the General Assembly should vote to allow Jennings County to hire an additional magistrate, according to State Rep. Randy Frye.
If supported by state lawmakers next session, Frye said the additional magistrate would jointly serve the county circuit and superior courts. Unlike judges who are elected, magistrates are hired to preside over minor civil and criminal cases, and conduct preliminary hearings. Magistrates can also assist in expediting cases through the judicial process, freeing up valuable resources and helping reduce jail populations.
Jennings County Circuit Court Judge John Webster said hiring a new magistrate would help the county address the high number of drug-related cases in the court system.
