Marion County Superior Court Case Search

Superior Courts are courts that have general jurisdiction, meaning they have the power to preside over a range of civil and criminal cases, usually with the exception of cases assigned to a specialized court. Supreme Court records are documents that contain information on judicial proceedings in cases within a court system. These records are prepared by court clerks and may be an invaluable source of legal information that may be useful for academic research, background checks, and judicial precedents.

Indiana does not operate with the traditional Superior Court system; instead, it operates a system that uses both Circuit Courts and Superior Courts, both of which are courts of general jurisdiction. Circuit Courts are the oldest and most common type of court in Indiana and have wide jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters. On the other hand, Superior Courts in Indiana operate concurrently with Circuit Courts. They may have general jurisdiction or specific jurisdiction in larger counties.

What Kinds of Cases Have Been Heard in Marion Superior Court?

As mentioned earlier, Circuit Courts and Superior Courts have general jurisdiction, which gives them the power to preside over various cases. Some of them include:

• Major Civil Disputes: These are civil cases that involve financial claims above a certain threshold. They are usually business or contractual disputes and also include clams under torts and labor law,
• Felony Criminal Cases: These are serious criminal offenses that are punishable by prison sentences greater than one year or capital punishment. Examples of offenses that are felonies include sexual assault, major drug offenses, grand theft auto, and homicides.
• Family law matters are cases relating to the family or marriage. They include divorce, domestic violence, child custody, and child support.
• Probate proceedings are matters related to the administration of a deceased person’s properties, whether they died with or without a will. These proceedings involve estate settlements, enforcement of wills, conservatorships, and guardianship issues.
• Traffic Violations and Infractions: The Marion County Superior Court hears cases involving traffic violations that require judicial attention. These cases usually involve individuals contesting tickets or refusing to pay their fines.

In addition to these types of cases, the Marion County Circuit and Superior Courts also have specialized divisions. For example, the Marion County Circuit Courts have a juvenile court, a drug court, a mental health court, and a small claims court. These specialized divisions use unique approaches to solve certain legal matters or provide a quicker way to resolve certain disputes.

Marion County Superior Court

The Marion County Circuit and Superior Courts are the main trial courts in Indiana, meaning they are the court of first instance for many criminal and major civil cases. A court of first instance is the court where you are legally required to institute proceedings on a specific matter. As courts of general jurisdiction, Marion County Circuit and Superior Courts have jurisdiction over a range of matters, usually only with the exception of cases under courts with specific jurisdictions.

As the county's main trial courts, the Marion County Circuit and Superior Courts are invaluable in upholding justice and order. They are the primary means for residents of Marion County to resolve legal disputes and enforce their legal rights. The Marion County Circuit and Superior Courts handle a large volume of cases, interpret the law, and determine parties' legal rights and responsibilities.

The Marion County Superior Court is located at 200 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204. This central location is a hub for various judicial proceedings, including hearings, trials, and case filing.

Marion County Case Lookup

A county-wide case lookup is the process of searching through all judicial proceedings in a county, including those of specialized court departments like family courts and juvenile courts. There are various ways to conduct a county-wide case lookup. They include:

For Online Searches

Generally, members of the public may search for various types of cases online, including civil, criminal, probate, and traffic cases. The Marion County Superior Courts have an online portal where you may search public case records. Here is a guide on how to do an online search:

• Record seekers may visit the Marion County Superior Courts' official online portal at mycase.IN.gov. Some records are free to access, while others may require payment of certain fees or registration.
• Once on the portal, select "Search by name" and input the first and last name of any of the parties to the case or the case number.
• Ensure accurate spelling to improve search accuracy, and remember that confidential cases may not be available to the public online.

Walk-in Requests

You may also do a county-wide case lookup by walking into the Court Clerk’s office. The Clerk’s office is open all weekdays from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Here is a guide on a walk-in request:

• You may require a government-issued means of identification to access certain cases.
• There are public access terminals where you may conduct a self-search through case records.
• To get copies of court records, you will need to pay $1 per page, with certified copies of court records incurring an additional $3 charge. You may pay with cash, credit cards, cashier checks, and money orders.

Mail-in Requests

You may also conduct a county-wide case search by mailing your request to the Clerk’s office at Marion County Superior Court, 675 Justice Way, Indianapolis, IN 46203. Here are some guides to follow:

• Ensure you include the required information for a case search, including the case numbers, party names, and hearing dates for the case you’re searching for.
• The processing time may vary depending on the nature and complexity of the request.
• You will pay $1 per page for copies of court records, and certified copies incur an additional $3 charge, which may be paid by money orders or cashier’s checks only.
• You may also need to use a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Additional Considerations

You may also conduct a case search by calling the clerk’s office at (317) 327-4740.

Marion Superior Court Case Search by Name

A search by name involves searching for a case through the names of either party to the case. You may do a name search online, in-person or via mail requests. Ensure you spell the names correctly to improve search accuracy. Adding other information like dates of birth and case numbers may also help narrow your search.

Marion Superior Court Docket Search

A court docket is a detailed document containing relevant information on cases, including timelines, hearing dates, motions, and rulings within that case. They are incredibly important for providing insight into legal cases. You may request a court docket online or at the clerk’s office.

Lookup Marion County Superior Court Online

Marion County superior court records may also be accessible online using third-party websites that keep court records. Some third-party sites include IndianaCourtRecords.us: A website that provides case lookup services. However, be sure to verify the information on these sites against official sources, as they may not always contain accurate information.

Supreme Court vs. Circuit Court

The Indiana Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in Indiana. It receives appeals from lower courts on points of law and also handles constitutional matters. The Court is presided over by five judges, though this may vary occasionally. On the other hand, the Marion Superior or Circuit Court is the main trial court, presiding over criminal and civil cases and resolving disputes of fact and law. Cases from the Marion Superior or County Court may be appealed to the Indiana Court of Appeals.