Circuit Court
The Indiana Constitution directs that the State be divided into several circuits by the General Assembly. Of the 92 counties in Indiana, 88 have circuit courts. The remaining four counties are divided into joint circuit courts of two counties each. There are 102 circuit court judges in the State of Indiana.
Services & Resources
About Indiana Courts
Boone County was established in 1830, named after and in honor of Daniel Boone. The Boone County Circuit Court was established in 1832. Prior to that time a Circuit Court Judge served different counties and portions thereof and literally rode the Circuit from town to town. The first term of the Boone County Circuit Court was convened in a home in Jamestown, the next term of the Circuit Court was held in Thorntown. The decision was made to hold the third session in Lebanon at the home of A.H. Longley, (the benefactor of Abner Longley Park). In 1834, Circuit Court officially moved into the Courthouse in downtown Lebanon, although not the courthouse that exists today. B.F. Morris was the first Judge of the Circuit Court. There have been 25 different Circuit Court Judges in Boone County’s history. Their terms of service have varied from 2 years to 26 years.
About Judge Schein
Judge Lori N. Schein is the presiding Judge of Boone Circuit Court. She graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota in 1994 and I.U. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis in 2003. Judge Schein was elected in 2018 and took office in 2019. Boone Circuit Court has criminal and civil cases. Boone Circuit Court has jurisdiction over extradition cases, names change petitions and title cases. Boone Circuit Court has exclusive jurisdiction in paternity, children in need of services, juvenile delinquency and status cases presided over by Boone Circuit Court Magistrate Sally Berish. Circuit Court operates the Boone County Family Recovery Court.
Civil cases may be filed in the Circuit Court, Superior Court I or Superior Court II at the discretion of the filing party. Criminal cases are filed in all three (3) Courts pursuant to a Local Rule approved by the Indiana Supreme Court. Boone County Superior Court I has exclusive jurisdiction over probate cases (estates, guardianships and adoptions). Boone County Superior Court II has exclusive jurisdiction over small claims cases. All three (3) Courts have developed critical expertise in their respective subject matter jurisdiction. Judge Matthew C. Kincaid is the Judge of Boone County Superior Court I and Judge Bruce Petit is the Judge of Boone County Superior Court II.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
I just received a letter from Judge Schein requiring me to fill out and return a juror questionnaire. What does this mean?
You may be sent a letter from Judge Schein requiring you to fill out and return a juror questionnaire. Each quarter approximately 300 such letters and questionnaires are sent out. Please return them promptly. Your name will be placed on the list of potential jurors during the particular 90-day period. You may or may not be required to appear in Boone Circuit Court as a potential juror sometime during the 90-day period. Most likely if required to appear it would only be one time. Notices are mailed at least 7 days in advance of any given trial date in which you are required to appear.
What happens if I am selected as a prospective juror for a particular case during my 90-day period?
(The following is a sample letter and information sheet that you will receive if you are selected as a prospective juror for a particular case. You will be provided more information when you arrive at the courthouse.)
Dear Prospective Juror:
You have been selected as a prospective juror for a jury trial scheduled in the Boone County Circuit Court.
Serving as a juror is one of the most important obligations of American citizenship. The right to a trial by jury is a constitutional right and your service as a prospective juror is an example of you doing your part to preserve and protect that constitutional guarantee. You will derive lasting benefits if you perform your duties as a juror conscientiously. You will learn how the judicial branch of your government works and you will take part in the quest for justice. Thank you for your time and commitment.
You are ordered to appear at 8:15 a.m. on the ________day of _______in the Boone County Circuit Court located on the third floor of the Courthouse. The Courthouse is located in downtown Lebanon, Indiana, on the Courthouse Square. If you do not appear, a LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER MAY BE DISPATCHED TO TAKE YOU INTO CUSTODY AND BRING YOU TO COURT.
Please check in immediately with the Circuit Court Bailiff on the third floor of the Courthouse. Parking passes will be mailed to you.
As a prospective juror, you will be seated in the courtroom until such time as you are either selected as a juror or released. We understand that your time is valuable. We expect that you will know whether you have been selected as a juror or released by Noon, although circumstances may dictate otherwise. We will take all necessary steps to make any inconvenience to you minimal.
Sincerely,
J Jeffrey Edens, Judge
Boone Circuit Court
Enclosure: Juror Information Handout
Our Office Hours
Mon-Fri 8am-4pm
Boone County Courthouse
310 Courthouse Square
Lebanon, IN 46052
Looking for Someone?
Visit our office directory.
Boone County Government. All Rights Reserved.
