Ind. Marion Cnty. Admin. Local Rule LR49-TR78-304

The Court may employ judicial officers, including magistrates and commissioners, to

perform limited judicial functions under the authority of the Court and subject to judicial

approval. The judge or judges to whom they are assigned may recommend commissioners.

A. Qualifications. Judicial officers shall be residents of Marion County in good

standing as members of the Indiana bar, be admitted to practice of law at least five years, and

possess any other qualifications required by statute or rule of court.

B. Duties. Judicial officers shall assist the Court by performing such functions as

conducting preliminary and interlocutory hearings in criminal and civil cases, presiding over

disputed discovery proceedings, receiving testimony as referees or masters, and hearing other

causes and motions, all of which are subject to judicial approval.

C. Selection. The Executive Committee may advertise notice of prospective

appointments of judicial officers publicly to encourage applications for consideration.

Applicants may be interviewed with regard to their potential proficiency as judicial officers. The

Executive Committee may appoint a screening committee to review the applicants and make

recommendations on their qualifications.

Where the application is for a Commissioner, the judge or judges to whom they are

assigned shall select the applicant to be appointed by the Executive Committee. If the judges are

unable to agree, the applicant shall be selected and appointed by the Executive Committee.

Appointments shall require ratification by a majority vote by secret ballot of the total

number of judges sitting on the Court. The Executive Committee shall make the appointments.

All appointments shall reflect the bipartisan composition of the Court, whenever possible.

D. Term. Judicial officers shall serve at the discretion of the Executive Committee. The

Executive Committee shall assign magistrates. Supervising judges may recommend termination

of the employment of their commissioners. If both judges agree, employment shall be

terminated. If one of the supervising judges does not agree, the Executive Committee shall

determine the issue of continued employment.

E. Annual Evaluation. Magistrates and Commissioners shall be evaluated annually.