Magistrate

County

CORE PURPOSE:

Establish Justice

Quick Facts

Holder(s):

Various (e.g., Graham C. Polando)

Term:

Varies

Method:

Appointed

Level:

County

Oath Administered By:

Circuit Court Judge

Role Overview

Assists judges in handling cases, conducts hearings, issues orders, and manages pretrial proceedings in Indiana courts.

Constitutional Mandate:

Supports judicial process integrity (U.S. Const. Art. III; Ind. Const. Art. 7).

Key Competencies:

Judicial expertise, impartiality, and efficiency.

Potential Weaknesses:

• High Caseloads and Burnout: Overburden from traffic/misdemeanor divisions leading to rushed decisions or delays.
• Ethical or Bias Issues: Potential for impartiality lapses, risking appeals or misconduct complaints.
• Resource Limitations: Inadequate support staff causing administrative errors in rural areas.
• Lack of Specialized Training: Gaps in handling complex cases like protective orders, increasing reversal risks.
• Appointment Dependence: Reliance on judges for selection, potentially limiting diversity or independence.

I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Indiana, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the office of Magistrate to the best of my ability. So help me God.