Ind. Code ch. 33-38-11

in effect

Ind. Code § 33-38-11-1 Appointment; residence; term; juvenile law judge

Sec. 1. (a) The judge of a circuit or superior court may appoint temporary judges. Each temporary judge must be: (1) a competent attorney admitted to the practice of law in Indiana; and (2) a resident of the judicial district of the court after the temporary judge's appointment. The temporary judge's appointment must be in writing. The temporary judge continues in office until removed by the judge. (b) A temporary juvenile law judge may be appointed under this subsection for the exclusive purpose of hearing cases arising under IC 31-30 through IC 31-40. The appointment shall be made under an agreement between at least two (2) judges of courts located: (1) in the same county; or (2) in counties that are adjacent to each other. (c) An agreement under subsection (b) must: (1) be filed with the circuit court clerk of each county in which a court subject to the agreement is located; (2) specify the duration of the agreement, which may not exceed one (1) year; and (3) permit a judge to end the participation of a court in the agreement. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-13-16-1.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.201-2011, SEC.105.

Ind. Code § 33-38-11-2 Powers; administration of oaths; certifying affidavits and depositions; subpoenas; preliminary hearings; warrants

Sec. 2. A temporary judge: (1) may: (A) administer all oaths and affirmations required by law; (B) take and certify affidavits and depositions; and (C) issue subpoenas for witnesses whose testimony is to be taken before the temporary judge; (2) has the same power to compel the attendance of witnesses and to punish contempts as the judge of the court; (3) may: (A) conduct preliminary hearings in criminal matters; (B) issue search warrants and arrest warrants; and (C) fix bond; and (4) may enforce court rules. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-13-16-2.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.17.

Ind. Code § 33-38-11-3 Powers; hearing evidence; findings

Sec. 3. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a temporary judge may hear evidence upon and report findings to the judge of the court for each probate, civil, criminal, and other case referred to the temporary judge by that judge. The temporary judge may: (1) make the final judgment in these cases; and (2) in a criminal case tried by the court, conduct all sentencing hearings in the case. (b) If a defendant is being tried for a felony, the judge of the court shall conduct all sentencing hearings and make the final judgment in the case. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-13-16-3.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.17.

Ind. Code § 33-38-11-4 Powers; civil jury trial

Sec. 4. A temporary judge may: (1) conduct a jury trial; (2) receive the verdict of the jury; and (3) make and enter the judgment on the jury verdict; in a civil case referred to the temporary judge by the judge of the court. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-13-16-4.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.17.

Ind. Code § 33-38-11-5 Powers; criminal jury trial

Sec. 5. In a criminal jury trial referred to a temporary judge by the judge of the court, the temporary judge may conduct the trial, receive the verdict of the jury, conduct all sentencing hearings, and make all final judgments. However, if the criminal case is a case in which the defendant is being tried for a felony, the judge of the court shall: (1) make the final judgment in the case; and (2) conduct all sentencing hearings in the case. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-13-16-5.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.17.

Ind. Code § 33-38-11-6 Limitation of rights and powers

Sec. 6. The judge of the court may: (1) limit any of the rights or powers of the temporary judge specified in this chapter; and (2) specifically determine the duties of the temporary judge within the limits established in this chapter. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-13-16-6.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.17.

Ind. Code § 33-38-11-7 Service as judge pro tempore or special judge

Sec. 7. A temporary judge may serve as a judge pro tempore or a special judge of the court but is not entitled to additional compensation for that service. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-13-16-7.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.17.

Ind. Code § 33-38-11-8 Judicial mandate

Sec. 8. A temporary judge has no power of judicial mandate. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-13-16-8.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.17.

Ind. Code § 33-38-11-9 Compensation

Sec. 9. A temporary judge is entitled to twenty-five dollars ($25), paid by the county, for each day of service as a temporary judge. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-13-16-9.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.17.

Ind. Code § 33-38-11-10 Limitation on service; exceptions

Sec. 10. Except for: (1) a temporary juvenile law judge appointed under section 1(b) of this chapter for the exclusive purpose of hearing cases arising under IC 31-30 through IC 31-40; or (2) a temporary judge appointed by a court located in a county having a population of more than two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) and less than two hundred seventy thousand (270,000); a temporary judge appointed under this chapter may not serve for more than sixty (60) calendar days in all during a calendar year. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-13-16-10.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.13-2013, SEC.81; P.L.11-2023, SEC.108.

Ind. Code § 33-38-11-11 Scope of service

Sec. 11. A temporary judge appointed under this chapter may serve even though the judge of the court is present and presiding in the court. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-13-16-11.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.17.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/33Fetched: 10/17/2026