Publisher
The Sheridan Town Board on Monday unanimously passed an ordinance to establish a Town Court.
The ordinance indicates the Court would have exclusive jurisdiction of Sheridan ordinances and jurisdiction of all misdemeanors, infractions and ordinances described in any interlocal agreement.
The northwestern Hamilton County town with a population of approximately 2,700 people will elect a judge in the November 2019 election, and court would begin in January of 2020.
The larger cities of Fishers, Noblesville and Carmel are the only other communities in the county that currently have their own municipal courts.
Hamilton County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Andre Miksha told the Reporter his office only provides a Deputy Prosecutor to Carmel City Court. Miksha explained, of the municipal courts, Carmel is the only court that hears misdemeanor cases. Those charged with a misdemeanor in Noblesville and Fishers appear at a court located in the Hamilton County Judicial Center. Miksha also said, “When infraction defendants plead not guilty in Fishers and Noblesville, those cases are transferred to one of the Superior Courts.”
When asked about how the town would fund the court, including a judge salary, Sheridan Police Chief Bob Shock said, “I don’t have the answer yet. The Town is just in the starting stages of the court.”
Hamilton County Elections Administrator Kathy Richardson said whoever the residents of Sheridan elect as a judge, the person must be registered to vote in a county and be an attorney in good standing admitted to the practice of law in Indiana.