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Thursday, August 10, 2006

Ind. Courts - Martin County Council approves judge’s request, avoids judicial mandate

"Martin County Council approves judge’s request, avoids lawsuit" is the headline to a story dated August 9th by news editor Patricia Morrison in the Washington Times-Herald. Some quotes:

SHOALS — After several months of wrangling with Martin County’s only judge, the county council passed a motion Monday indicating it would approve additional appropriations for the public defender, bailiff and guardian ad litem in the amounts of $45,000, $12,000 and $27,500, respectively.

Auditor Cookie Taylor told the council she did not receive the most recent letter from Judge Joseph Howell in time to allow the required publishing of intent prior to Monday’s meeting.

The council voted 5-2 to approve a motion saying the council intends to act favorably on the judge’s request when it legally can. That will come at the council’s 8 a.m. meeting Aug. 14, at which time they will also hold budget hearings. Voting against the motion were Councilmen Lonnie Hawkins and Larry Shaw.

By indicating they will pass the additional appropriations in their Aug. 14 meeting, the council will avoid court action as Judge Howell had filed a mandate of funds to provide for the payment of licensed attorneys to represent persons named in mental health proceedings and those who do not have the funds to hire an attorney. The mandate also includes hiring licensed attorneys to represent juveniles charged with crimes that would be a crime if committed by an adult and in other non-criminal cases involving juveniles.

The judge was also requesting additional appropriations for paying bailiffs in the court. * * *

The judge said this morning the action by the council will end the lawsuit as the state Supreme Court had not yet appointed a special judge.

Some readers may recall the stories from early June when Circuit Court Judge Joe Howell temporarily jailed the county clerk. See this entry from June 8th and this one from June 9th, as well as this one from May 8th which gives some essential background.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on August 10, 2006 03:20 PM
Posted to Indiana Courts