Washington County Circuit Court cases in Washington County, Salem, IN
Washington County Circuit Court in Salem, Indiana, is a trial-level circuit court of general jurisdiction for Washington County. It handles a wide range of matters, including criminal cases (felonies and misdemeanors), civil disputes (such as contract and personal-injury claims), family/domestic relations (divorce, custody, child support, paternity), juvenile cases (delinquency and CHINS), probate and guardianship, and traffic/infraction and local ordinance violations. The court conducts jury and bench trials, enters judgments and sentences, issues protective orders and warrants, and supervises case processing for filings within the county. It also hears de novo appeals from city and town courts and shares jurisdiction with any local superior court(s) as established by Indiana law.
Washington County Circuit Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Circuit Court |
| County: | Washington |
| Street Address: | 801 S. Jackson St. |
| City: | Salem |
| Zip Code: | 47167 |
| Phone: | 812-883-5302 |
| Fax: | 812-896-0827 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:00AM - 4:00PM |
| Website URL: | http://washingtoncounty.in.gov/government/laws_courts_and_justice/circuit_court.php |
| Parking: | Long term parking is sometimes available at the county parking lot. |
| Jury Service: | http://www.washingtoncounty.in.gov/explore_washington_county/resident/courts_and_justice_system/jury_service.php |
| Languages: | English |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/RockeyforClerk/ |
| About / Additional Info: | The Washington Circuit Court was established as a result of a directive contained in the Indiana Constitution that the state be divided into several circuits by the General Assembly. Washington County constitutes the 42nd Judicial Circuit.The circuit courts are vested with unlimited trial jurisdiction in all cases, except when exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction is conferred upon other courts. The Washington Superior Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court in all cases, except for juvenile matters. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Washington County Circuit Court
Washington County Circuit Court serves the public as the county's trial court of general jurisdiction. It typically handles: criminal (felonies, misdemeanors), civil (contracts, injury, landlord-tenant), family (divorce, custody, support), juvenile (delinquency, dependency), probate/estate, guardianship, mental-health commitments, and appeals from lower courts; some locations also hear traffic/ordinance matters.
Key services include:
- Case filings and eFiling; fee processing and case management.
- Protective/restraining orders (domestic violence, stalking, harassment) and related hearings.
- Court proceedings: arraignments, pretrial conferences, motions, trials (bench/jury), and sentencing.
- Jury services: summons, qualification, deferrals, reporting, and compensation.
- Records and public access: calendars/dockets, certified copies, transcripts, and sealing/expungement petitions.
- Public assistance: forms, self-help resources, interpreters, ADA accommodations, compliance/payment plans, and mediation or specialty courts where available.