Indiana Supreme Court

Indiana Supreme Court
Government of Indiana · Public domain · source
Court name	Indiana Supreme Court
Caption	Seal of the Indiana Supreme Court
Established	1816
Location	Indianapolis, Indiana
Authority	Constitution of Indiana
Terms	10 years
Chiefjudgename	Loretta Rush
Termstart	2014
Website	http://www.in.gov/judiciary/supreme/

Indiana Supreme Court is the court of last resort and highest appellate court in the U.S. state of Indiana. Established by the Constitution of Indiana in 1816, it is headquartered in the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. The court's primary role is to review decisions of the Indiana Court of Appeals and has discretionary jurisdiction to hear appeals, as well as mandatory jurisdiction in certain areas including death penalty cases, attorney discipline, and cases involving the state or constitutional law.

History

The court was first established under the original Constitution of Indiana in 1816, with three justices initially appointed by the Governor of Indiana. The court's early years were marked by itinerancy, holding sessions in various county courthouses including in Corydon and Vincennes before permanently moving to Indianapolis. A significant reorganization occurred with the 1851 constitution, which increased the number of justices to five and instituted a system of election by the public, a method later changed by constitutional amendment. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the court played pivotal roles in interpreting laws during periods such as the American Civil War, the Progressive Era, and the Civil Rights Movement. Landmark decisions from this era shaped Indiana law on issues ranging from railroad regulation to school segregation.

Composition and selection

The court consists of five justices, including one who serves as Chief Justice. Justices are selected through a hybrid process involving the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission, a seven-member body comprised of lawyers elected by the Indiana State Bar Association and citizen members appointed by the Governor of Indiana. Following a vacancy, the commission interviews candidates and sends a list of three nominees to the governor, who makes the final appointment. After serving an initial two-year term, a justice must stand for a statewide retention election; if retained, they serve a ten-year term and may face subsequent retention elections. The position of Chief Justice is chosen by the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission from among the sitting justices for a five-year term.

Jurisdiction and powers

The court exercises both mandatory and discretionary appellate jurisdiction. It has mandatory jurisdiction to hear appeals involving the death penalty, judgments declaring a state statute or state constitutional provision invalid, and certain cases involving the State of Indiana as a party. Its discretionary jurisdiction allows it to review decisions from the Indiana Court of Appeals upon the grant of a petition to transfer. The court also possesses exclusive original jurisdiction over the admission to the practice of law, the discipline of attorneys and judges, and the supervision of the entire state judiciary under the administration of the Chief Justice. Furthermore, it has the authority to issue writs necessary in aid of its jurisdiction, such as writs of mandamus and prohibition.

Notable cases

Throughout its history, the court has decided many influential cases. In *State v. Goliday* (1973), it addressed search and seizure protections under the Constitution of Indiana. The case of *Board of Commissioners of Wabash County v. Pearson* (1858) was an early and significant ruling on the limits of local government debt. In *Martin v. City of Indianapolis* (1919), the court grappled with the constitutionality of municipal zoning ordinances. More recently, *Merrillville Police Commission v. State* (1998) clarified the powers of state police oversight boards. Decisions in attorney discipline cases, such as those involving M. Stanton Evans, have shaped professional conduct standards for the Indiana State Bar Association.

Current justices

The five sitting justices, as of 2023, are Chief Justice Loretta Rush, Justice Mark Massa, Justice Geoffrey Slaughter, Justice Christopher M. Goff, and Justice Derek R. Molter. Loretta Rush, appointed by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2012, became the state's first female Chief Justice in 2014. Mark Massa was appointed by Governor Mike Pence in 2012, and Geoffrey Slaughter was appointed by Governor Pence in 2016. Christopher M. Goff was appointed by Governor Eric Holcomb in 2017, and Derek R. Molter was appointed by Governor Holcomb in 2022. The justices represent a range of professional backgrounds, including prior service on the Indiana Court of Appeals, experience as prosecutors, and work in private practice with firms like Ice Miller.

Category:Indiana state courts Category:State supreme courts of the United States Category:1816 establishments in Indiana