By DAVE KITCHELL

Pharos-Tribune staff writer



Much can happen in six years when a public official is elected.

Other than U.S. senator, no elected officeholder in Indiana has as long a term as the circuit court judge.

In Cass County, the job involves more than wearing a black robe and banging a gavel. The judge also runs a growing campus of social services.

The Cass County Family Opportunity Center has been expanded dramatically since former Circuit Judge Don Leicht opened it. During the past 12 years, retiring Circuit Court Judge Julian Ridlen has expanded the intervention and support offered through the facility, which was moved to the former Woodland Acres home. Sports facilities were built in what has become known as Aim-Hi Park. A committee has plans to do more, but the recommendation on what to do is awaiting a person in charge.

“I really don’t see making a lot of changes,” says Republican Sheryl Pherson, who defeated Robert L. Justice and Patrick McNarny in the primary. “I’m going to look at the programs, talk to the staff there and see what they feel is working well and see what they envision for changes. Obviously, we want to grow and expand on some of the programs that have already been started. The day treatment program is up and running.”

Democrat Leo Burns says having been in the court system when Leicht started the center, he has seen the success it has had and the need for its function.

“The drawback or downside of those types of services has always been a budget,” he says.

The court budget is almost $960,000 next year, and almost half is set aside for placement of juveniles. Keeping families close to juvenile offenders can help their treatment, he says.

“Planning is the key,” he says. If the right types of services are made available, the long-term costs of the system could get closer to break even.

In the day-to-day management of the court system, Pherson sees some need to streamline the scheduling for court appearances, particularly on days when everyone who is asked to appear that day shows up at 8 a.m.

“The same people that came in at 8 o’clock are sometimes still there at noon,” she said. “It doesn’t bother me, but it can be a long day and some people may be missing work.”

Burns says Pherson has a broad background, but he has more experience in different types of law from representing the Pioneer and Southeastern school boards to being a city attorney and a deputy prosecutor.

Both candidates realize they will be under the gun to balance a caseload that has titled away from Circuit to Cass Superior Courts I and II. Burns says part of the reason for that shift is the retirement of Ridlen. Attorneys filing cases in his court now do not know which judge will eventually hear their cases.

“The state is interested in making sure that caseloads are equally distributed,” he said. “That’s a benefit to the citizens of the county. If you have three courts, you want to make sure they operate efficiently.”

Pherson says juvenile cases could be shifted from Circuit to the other courts.

“That may not be something that Circuit Court does if it doesn’t have a criminal caseload.”

About 350 juvenile cases have been filed so far this year, Burns says, but Superior II Judge Rick Maughmer and Superior I Judge Tom Perrone both have backgrounds in hearing cases involving children.

“I don’t think anybody’s going to look to just be administrative about it and say ‘These cases go here, Boom, boom, boom,’” he said.

The candidates most often are hearing different questions asked of them.

“One of the things I think is how proactive do I think a judge should be,” Pherson said. “My opponent and I actually say the first responsibility is fairly and improving juvenile justice system.”

Burns says the question he hears most is what differentiates him from his opponent. The answer is experience, he says.

“The best lawyers, the best judges are problem solvers,” he said.

Dave Kitchell may be contacted at 722-5000, Ext. 5150, or via e-mail at david.kitchell@pharostribune.com