[JHeath]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=59100.64

9/19/2008 11:06:00 AM
Council to ask for courtroom law change

Craig Davison
For The News-Dispatch

LA PORTE - The county is planning on asking the state legislature to change a decades-old law that might result in moving Superior Court 1 from Michigan City to La Porte.

According to state law from the 1960s, Superior Court 1 in La Porte County must hold its sessions in Michigan City, while the other superior courts can be held wherever the County Commissioners choose.

County Council President Mark Yagelski said he will have a letter at the next council meeting up for a vote to ask state legislators to change the law. If the council approves sending the letter, it will go to State Rep. Scott Pelath.

Yagelski said any move isn't expected to happen soon, but it would give the county options in the future.

He said that if the county continues to develop the courthouse in La Porte, and the money becomes available, the county might be able to bring the courts into one building.

La Porte County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Alevizos said he attended a council meeting where the possibility of moving courts was discussed. He said he knew that at least one court was anchored in its location by a statute and informed the council.

Alevizos explained that the four superior courts in the county are creations of the legislature and any changes need to go through the legislature.

He said he wasn't taking any sides or positions with regards to the locations of the courts, but did provide Yagelski with the information about where the courts could be located.

[Dave]

I'm going to have to wander around the MC courthouse one of these days to check out the layout of the place.

If they moved the court down to LaPorte, how well would that building serve as a new city hall?

[Roger Kaputnik]

Why move the court? What is the impetus?

[Southsider2k12]

Why move the court? What is the impetus?

^

My first thought exactly. With the largest population of people (and crime) here, you would think it would make it more expensive to transport people over to LP for trial.

[kharris]

^

My first thought exactly. With the largest population of people (and crime) here, you would think it would make it more expensive to transport people over to LP for trial.

The transportation for trial actually works the opposite direction. They are transported from the county jail in LaPorte to the courts in Michigan City. Much of that transportation has been eliminated though since the installation of a closed circuit tv system between the courts and the jail. The system has been in place for a couple years now.

I believe the true impetus here is the belief that the county can save monies by moving to a single courthouse. Some on the county council have advocated moving the courts in Michigan City to LaPorte after the interior remodelling of the LaPorte courthouse is complete. This would then empty the the M.C. courthouse and it could be sold to a developer as prime development property.

One background note: LaPorte County Indiana is one of only two counties in the U.S. to have two county courthouses.

[Southsider2k12]

The transportation for trial actually works the opposite direction. They are transported from the county jail in LaPorte to the courts in Michigan City. Much of that transportation has been eliminated though since the installation of a closed circuit tv system between the courts and the jail. The system has been in place for a couple years now.

I believe the true impetus here is the belief that the county can save monies by moving to a single courthouse. Some on the county council have advocated moving the courts in Michigan City to LaPorte after the interior remodelling of the LaPorte courthouse is complete. This would then empty the the M.C. courthouse and it could be sold to a developer as prime development property.

One background note: LaPorte County Indiana is one of only two counties in the U.S. to have two county courthouses.

Interesting. Thanks for the clarification!

[Roger Kaputnik]

Why would anyone in MC be for this?

[Dave]

Is there any regularly scheduled public transportation between Michigan City and LaPorte? If a Michigan Cityzen who doesn't have a car gets arrested for something, is he going to have to walk/hitchike to LaPorte on the hearing dates, or will he be able to get a ride one way or another (other that getting a ride from a friend, that is)?

[kharris]

Is there any regularly scheduled public transportation between Michigan City and LaPorte? If a Michigan Cityzen who doesn't have a car gets arrested for something, is he going to have to walk/hitchike to LaPorte on the hearing dates, or will he be able to get a ride one way or another (other that getting a ride from a friend, that is)?

No, there is no public transportation between M.C. and LaPorte even though it has been discussed for quite some time. And I believe it is the individual's responsibility to get themselves to court when they are required to be there. (even if they move the courts all to LaPorte) I am sure that government does not consider that a concern in any other county in ther state.