Many Counties Losing Judges with Language Added to Bill Passed

STATEHOUSE — Eleven counties will be losing judges in the name of savings, with language added to a bill passed Wednesday by the Indiana Senate.

The bill will eliminate judges in Blackford, Carroll, Gibson, Greene, Jennings, Monroe, Newton, Owen, Pulaski, Rush and Scott counties, along with six juvenile magistrate positions in Marion County, if it becomes law.

The state Senate made the decision and added an amendment to the bill, based upon a formula that weighs case load against how many judges there are in the county.

Judges in Indiana make about $183,000 per year and magistrates make about $146,000.

The state’s fiscal team estimates the elimination will save the state about $749,000 in Fiscal Year 2027, and as much as $2.7 million by FY 2032.

The bill is not ready to be signed, though. It is now expected to go back to the House, where it originated. The House can decide whether or not it likes the language eliminating judges. If it is not accepted, the House and Senate can negotiate in a conference committee.

Many Counties Losing Judges with Language Added to Bill Passed was originally published on wibc.com