Monroe County, Indiana

Law enforcement agencies issue citations for infraction traffic violations. You may be eligible for the Infraction Diversion Program. For more information on this program the Monroe County Prosecutor's Office oversees, please contact their office.

If you need more time to pay the ticket, please don't hesitate contacting our friendly staff who will be happy to assist you with an extension. You must contact our office PRIOR to the APPEAR BY DAY provided on the citation or a Failure to Appear will occur which will result in a suspension of your license. Monroe County Traffic Division: 812-349-2609

Our office has not received the information from the officer yet. Please call back in a few days and we will happily assist you.

This means you’ve been ticketed with a misdemeanor offense rather than an infraction.

You may go to the walk-in traffic court sessions held on Fridays at 1:30 pm. The Prosecutor will hear the cases scheduled first, followed by walk-ins which are handled first come, first serve.

It may take up to 72 hours for the payment to reflect in our system.

Generally, we do our best to process data in a timely fashion. Please note it may take up to five business days for the BMV to be notified.

Drug Courts provide a non-traditional, therapeutic approach to dealing with criminal offenders who are substance abusers. In the Drug Court, the judge, prosecutor, defense counsel, case managers and treatment provider work as a team, using a non-adversarial approach, to encourage and promote substance-free behavior. The primary objective is to rehabilitate the participant.

A defendant should: Be a resident of Monroe County; Have no past felony convictions for violent offenses, nor any present pending offenses for either misdemeanor or felony violent offenses; Have no pending offenses for Dealing in a Controlled Substance. Past convictions for Dealing offenses may affect possible participation in this program; Be at least eighteen years of age or older and have previous unsuccessful opportunities at either probation or treatment; Have no warrants outstanding or open parole or probation violations in any other county; Have no indication that a firearm was in possession during the commission of the present offense, nor have any prior convictions for firearm violations; Have indications of recent or past substance abuse arrests and the defendant admits to substance abuse/addiction; Be willing to participate in all aspects of the Drug Court Program.

Drug Court is a voluntary program available to defendants who meet the eligibility requirements. Participants enter a plea and begin the Drug Court program typically within 21 days of their arrest. They must complete a minimum two-year program that involves intensive treatment, regular court appearances, frequent drug testing, education, counseling and payment of fees. Upon successful completion of all requirements of the Drug Court program, the charges are dismissed or reduced.

By phone:(812) 349-2000 By email:probation@co.monroe.in.us By mail: 405 West 7th Street, Suite 2 Bloomington, IN 47404 Contact Person: Steve Malone, Drug Court Coordinator

The following is a list of deaths the Coroner is required by law to investigate. 1. Suspected sudden infant death syndrome (crib deaths). 2. Death occurring within 24 hours of admission at a hospital or health care facility. 3. Physician unable to state cause of death. 4. Known or suspected homicide. 5. Known or suspected suicide. 6. Death involving any criminal action. 7. Related to or following known or suspected self-induced or criminal abortion. 8. Following an accident or injury (primary or contributory). Deaths known or suspected as a result in whole or in part from or related to accident or injury, either old or recent. 9. Drowning, fire, hanging, gunshot, stabbing, exposure, acute alcoholism, drug addition, strangulation, aspiration or malnutrition. 10. Accidental poisoning (food, chemical, drug, therapeutic agents). 11. Occupational diseases or occupational hazards. 12. Known or suspected contagious disease constituting a public hazard. 13. All deaths of unidentified persons. 14. Incarceration. 15. Unattended deaths (no physician in attendance or during the continued absence of the attending physician).

Your loved one will be transported to the Bloomington Hospital, Terre Haute Regional Hospital or the I.U. Medical School Forensic Pathology Department. These laboratory facilities are where we will perform a medical examination on the deceased.

YES, all Monroe County Public Defenders are "real attorneys". Each attorney has successfully completed a rigorous law school curriculum and has subsequently passed the Indiana Bar Exam. All of the attorneys are licensed to practice law in the State of Indiana. Many have been practicing law for over 15 years. Our attorneys have chosen to specialize in the areas of law related to indigent defense and are paid by Monroe County to represent people who are financially unable to hire a private attorney.

The most common cases assigned to Public Defenders are criminal charges, juvenile delinquency, CHINS petitions, termination of parental rights petitions, mental health commitments, contempt hearings, appeals, and petitions to revoke suspended sentences.

You must ask the Judge to have a Public Defender appointed to your case, then the Judge must make a finding that you do not have the money to hire an attorney.

You must come to the Monroe County Public Defender Office in the Fiscus Building located at 304 N. Morton Street. An attorney will be assigned to your case and an appointment will be scheduled for you to meet with that attorney.

All relevant issues about your case will be discussed and you will have an opportunity to ask your attorney questions.

If you can afford to hire a private attorney you should. Public Defenders are paid to represent people who do not have the means to hire a private attorney.

Monroe County is fortunate to have a group of experienced dedicated attorneys working in the Public Defender Office who protect the rights and interests of each and every client, not only because it is their sworn duty as an attorney, but each attorney has shown a personal commitment to provide the best legal representation possible. Monroe County has assisted in this endeavor by electing to participate in the State Plan that limits the number of active cases an attorney may be assigned so that more time may be given to individual cases.

The Public Defender’s office has two investigators, two paralegals, and a number of law clerks that assist the attorneys. One of these people may contact you and they are obligated to keep the same confidentiality as your attorney. If you talk to anyone else about the details of your case, that person could be used as a witness against you.

Call the Public Defender’s office where your case is pending. Provide the receptionist with the cause number, or, if you can’t remember the number, provide your full name. Ordinarily that will be sufficient information to help our staff determine the name of your Public Defender. However, without a specific cause number, and based on your full name alone, our staff can only provide the court hearing(s) that appear on the court calendar.

Yes, if you are charged with an offense that is filed in Monroe County.

Yes, the Public Defender will make arrangements to obtain the assistance of an interpreter. Be sure to inform your attorney that you need an interpreter. Often clients think they can understand enough English to “get by”. Unfortunately, there might be special meanings of words that can make a critical difference in the handling of a case. Court proceedings can be confusing enough without adding the complication of not understanding the language. If there is any doubt as to whether you can understand everything that is being said to you and about you, it is far safer to use the services of an interpreter. An interpreter will be made available for all interviews, investigations and consultations, as well as court proceedings.

The Court may order you to pay a Public Defender Fee.

In Indiana persons are selected at random from a jury pool compiled by the State of Indiana using information from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Indiana Department of Revenue.

You must be: A citizen of the United States, at least 18 years of age, a resident of Monroe County, able to communicate in English, not suffering from a physical or mental disability that prevents you from performing your duties as a juror in a satisfactory manner, not under guardianship because of mental incapacity or not a person who has had your right to vote revoked and not yet reinstated as the result of a felony conviction. Note: Law enforcement officers are exempt from serving in criminal jury trials. They can serve in civil trials.

Criminal: A case in which the State of Indiana (Prosecutor) alleges the defendant (accused) committed a criminal offense. Civil: A suit designed to enforce a right or gain repayment for a wrong done to a person or party by another person or party. These cases generally involve money damages

Eligible for Duty: If you receive a notice stating you are eligible for jury duty in a particular month, you will be required to phone nightly the jury notification line (812) 349-JURY(5879). Serving as a juror: You have been chosen to sit on a panel and render your opinion as to guilt or innocence (criminal) or responsibility for damages. (Civil)

That means you are required to report to the Justice Building at 301 N. College Ave at the time indicated on the message line. You will be met by the Jury Coordinator who will provide you with the additional information regarding your day. Prior to your arrival, please acquaint yourself with the Justice Building Security Restrictions.

In Monroe County you are eligible to serve once in a 2 year time period. In Monroe County, you are only required to be available for one month. If you call in during your month but are not called for service, the Judges of Monroe County consider your month of calling as service. You are not considered eligible to serve again for another 2 full years. Jurors serve on only one trial during their month of eligibility and most trials are completed within 2-3 days.

Yes, as of January 1, 2010, you may request exemption if: 1. You are 75 years of age or older OR 2. Have a medical excuse (requires Dr. Statement)

You will be given parking instructions from the Jury Coordinator prior to your arrival at the Justice Building.

If you report for jury duty and you are not kept to serve, you will be paid $15.00 + mileage that is set by state statute. If you are chosen to serve you will be paid $40.00 per day + mileage that is set by state statute. You will receive a check for your service within a few weeks after the completion of the trial. Child care is not paid nor provided.

To sit on a panel you must have 12 jurors for a criminal case ( Murder, Level 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Felony). If you have a lesser criminal case such as a Level 6 Felony or a Misdemeanor offense; 6 jurors are necessary. A civil case requires 6. Generally for a 12 panel jury 36 potential jurors are asked to come in. A 6 panel jury generally results in 18 people reporting for possible service.

Criminal trial: Murder or Level 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 Felony - must be unanimous Criminal trial: Level 6 Felony or Misdemeanor - must be unanimous. Civil: 6 jurors - must be unanimous UNLESS stipulated prior to deliberation.

Although the Court does not provide lunch for jurors (except during deliberations) there will be a lunch break and jurors will have ample opportunity to dine in or carryout from many downtown restaurants.

In case of a family emergency please contact the Office of Court Administration- (812) 349-2966.

Please call Michelle Pritchard, Jury Coordinator at 812-349-2616.

No, a refinance will not affect your homestead deduction. In the past, with a refinance a new mortgage deduction application would have been required for you to maintain the mortgage deduction. However, beginning in 2023 (taxes payable in 2024) the State of Indiana no longer offers the mortgage deduction; it was previously lowering the taxable assessment by 3,000. Please note with this change, the homestead standard deduction is increasing from 45,000 to 48,000. So ultimately you are still receiving the savings, but it is no longer due to a mortgage or recorded contract as it is due to your property being your primary residence.

Please visit the link below to review deductions you may be eligible for. Contact our office at 812-349-2510 or auditor@co.monroe.in.us for any questions or assistance in applying for any deduction.

All property tax deductions are filed at the property division of the Monroe County Auditor's office located on the 2nd floor of the Courthouse in Room 209, downtown on the square. The office is open 8a-4pm Monday-Friday (excluding dates closed for holidays). Deduction application forms and any required additional documentation can be delivered in person, mailed with the US Postal Service or emailed to auditor@co.monroe.in.us

The filing deadline for all property tax deductions is December 31st. Any property tax exemptions are filed in the Assessor's Office located on the first floor in the Courthouse Building.

For the homestead deduction, the Auditor's Office will have nearly everything needed to complete the form. The only information a property owner will need to complete the form is the last 5 digits of their social security number and driver's license number along with their spouses (if married) or additional owner who lives at residence.

The deadline for paying the spring installment is May 10th. The deadline for paying the fall installment is November 10th. For further information on taxes please contact the Treasurer's office or visit their website at the link below.

In order to update legal ownership of your property, you will need a prepared deed presented to the respective courthouse offices. With any transfer or change in ownership, a deed will go through 3 offices: 1. Assessors, 2. Auditors, and 3. Recorders. It is highly recommended that you contact an attorney or a title company for your deed to be prepared. The Auditor's Office does not prepare deeds. In the occurrence of the death of a spouse, our office does not require you to remove the decedent from the title of the property. If you wish to do so, you will need to present a deed, court order, or an affidavit of survivorship. We are not able to remove an owner name from a property with a death certificate.

$10 per legal description and $20 for sales disclosures, payable to the Monroe County Auditor where fees apply. The Auditor's Office does not accept credit/debit cards.

You may visit the Monroe County GIS website or the Low Tax Info website using the link below.

Listen to the radio or television for information. People living in low lying areas along or adjacent to lakes, rivers or streams should be prepared to move to higher ground if there is any possibility of flooding or flash flooding. If you must prepare to evacuate, move essential items to an upper floor, disconnect electrical appliances; turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. If you have to leave your home, do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can cause you to lose your balance. Walk only where the water is not moving and use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you. People traveling in a car, truck or other vehicle should avoid areas affected by flash flooding rather than attempt to cross it. More than half of all deaths attributed to flash flooding are people swept away in vehicles when trying to pass through standing water. Unfortunately, many deaths occur when someone knowingly drives around a barricade indicating the road is washed out ahead. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling. One foot of water will float many vehicles. As little as two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including sports utility vehicles (SUV’s) and pick-ups.

A flood is when there is an overflow of water onto normally dry land. Flooding can also be characterized as the deluge of a normally dry area caused by rising water in an existing waterway, such as a river, stream or drainage ditch. Flooding may last for several days, even weeks. A flash flood is when there is an overflow of water caused by heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period of time, generally less than 6 hours. Flash flooding can also occur even if no rain has fallen, for instance after a levee or dam has failed. Flash flooding is extremely dangerous because of the suddenness and because the majority of people tend to underestimate the hazards.