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Friday, December 12, 2008

Ind. Courts - "Noblesville City Court to hear Westfield cases"

Chris Sikich reports in the Indianapolis Star:

NOBLESVILLE -- Westfield residents who violate city ordinances -- from speeding to other minor infractions -- will soon head to Noblesville City Court.

The Westfield City Council on Monday and Noblesville City Council on Tuesday approved a deal for Hamilton County's newest city to use the Noblesville court.
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Under the agreement, Noblesville will keep half the Westfield fines.

Accused ordinance violators from Westfield now go to Hamilton County court. But Westfield Police Chief Kevin Jowitt said Noblesville is a better option because its docket is less full than the county docket. He expects Westfield will have to pay less overtime to officers because of the shorter amount of time spent at city court versus county court.

"The judge felt they could handle the same volume of cases with the same staff," said Noblesville city attorney Mike Howard. "So it helps fund the court without the supplement of tax dollars."

The agreement will be terminated if Noblesville's existing staff -- led by Judge Greg Caldwell -- cannot handle the extra cases.

The state allows cities to operate courts. Carmel and Noblesville, the only cities in Hamilton County before this year, both operate their own. Westfield has opted not to open one. Jowitt said it's unclear when cases will transfer to Noblesville.

"Courts really are a great way for municipalities to handle ordinance violations," Jowitt said. "Westfield as a city is certainly at the point where we looked at that, however, we don't have the volume that would make it cost effective to establish our own city court."

Posted by Marcia Oddi on December 12, 2008 07:59 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts