Editor’s note: This column is a non-partisan article submitted by the joint effort of 43rd Circuit Judge Tom Chapman and Judge Brent Elliott. The intent is to give residents a better understanding of the judicial system as well as specific operations within the Circuit. No explanation or example utilized herein should in any way be interpreted as reflecting the judge’s approval or disapproval of any law or rule. A circuit judge’s job is to fairly and impartially apply the law, not change it.
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by Judge Brent Elliott and Judge Thomas Chapman
Our last few articles have discussed the types of cases handled in the Associate Circuit Court. This article focuses on the types of cases handled in Divisions I and II of the Circuit Court.
There are largely three classifications of cases handled by circuit judges – civil, criminal, and juvenile. When a case is initiated in circuit court it is assigned a case number. These numbers will tell you a great deal about the nature of the case.
The first two numbers will indicate the year the case was filed (i.e. The case number for a case filed in 2011 will begin with 11, and a case filed in 2012 will begin with 12, and so on).
These two numbers will be followed by two letters indicating the county in which the case originated. The two-letter abbreviations for the 43rd Circuit Counties are as follows: Caldwell – CL, Clinton – CN, Daviess – DV, DeKalb – DK, and Livingston – LV. These letters are always followed by a dash.
Immediately following the dash is a two-letter abbreviation indicating the classification of the case. The abbreviation for criminal cases is CR. The abbreviation for civil cases is CV, and the abbreviation for juvenile cases is JU.
The two-letter classification will be followed by a five digit number. This number will tell you what number case this was for a particular classification. Examples – Case number 12CN-CV00204, was filed in 2012 (12), in Clinton County (CN), is a civil action (CV), was the 204th (00204) civil case filed in the circuit court of Clinton County this year. Case number 10CL-JU00019 represents the 19th juvenile case filed in the circuit court of Caldwell County in 2010. Case number 11DK-CR00098 represents the 98th criminal case filed in DeKalb County in 2011. (Remember from previous articles – all criminal cases are originally filed in the Associate Circuit Court.) If the case is a felony and has been bound over to Circuit Court the number will end in 01. (i.e. 11DK-CR00098-01)
You now know the classifications of cases handled in Divisions I and II of the Circuit Courts as well as how to identify the type of case by case number. Our next article will give more details as to the types of cases handled by Circuit Judges.
LOCAL NOTE: As we travel the circuit we have encountered some outstanding talent that is frequently overlooked. For instance, in late May a Methodist Church in the small town of Union Star hosts an Annual Dinner Theatre. The meal is wonderful and the play, usually a comedy featuring local talent, is excellent. The same could be said of the recent Hamilton Theatre production of “A Touch of Broadway.” Several talented local youth put on a great show with popcorn and refreshments available on cite. Please support these local groups that do some wonderful work with area youth.
“From the 43rd” is a non-partisan article submitted by the joint effort of 43rd Circuit Judges Tom Chapman and Brent Elliott. The purpose of the article is to give residents a better understanding of the judicial system as well as specific operations within the Circuit.