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COVID-19 Responses and Resources

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  • Current: COVID-19 Responses and Resources

Trial courts | Appellate courts | Schedule changes | Resources & sample documents | Statements & messaging | More information

The Indiana Supreme Court, in concert with other state officials, is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and has responded with guidance for state and local courts. This page is updated daily with information about how courts are continuing operations while maintaining safe practices and complying with the Governor's executive orders.

Latest updates

Follow @incourts on Twitter to stay up-to-date

See list of Supreme Court orders related to COVID-19

Questions?

Do you have questions about matters like upcoming court hearings, housing, child support, parenting time and custody, warrants, and jails?

See public access to courts during COVID-19 for more information

Lawyers, are you looking for information about distance CLE, offering pro bono services, ethical guidance during the pandemic, and managing your cases?

See information for lawyers during COVID-19

Trial courts

Trial courts should be working with their local justice system partners and public health and emergency authorities to adjust court operations as conditions require to maintain essential functions and ensure the administration of justice while protecting the health of court personnel, court users, and Hoosiers outside the courtroom. To check the status of your case and find out about hearing dates, search mycase.in.gov. If you have questions, please contact the court directly.

Many courts are conducting remote hearings to move cases forward, and they are authorized by Supreme Court order (extended until further order of the court) to live-stream hearings that would typically be open to the public. Hearing officers in attorney discipline cases have similar guidance in a November 18 Supreme Court order. Tips on attending remote hearings are available for lawyers and litigants.

Video conferences are also allowed as a means of witnessing wills and administering oaths (extended through July 1, 2021).

Trial courts are prohibited from issuing any new orders (extended through July 1, 2021) that would apply an individual's federal stimulus payment under Section 2201 of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act")—generally, the payments issued before March 2021--to satisfy a judgment, with the exception of child support. But the Court declined to extend a similar exemption to stimulus payments issued under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (generally, the payments issued in March 2021 or later). Existing child support and parenting time orders around the state are still in place, though parents may petition the court to modify those orders.

Courts are also authorized by Supreme Court order to create videos or other visuals detailing their efforts to promote a safe environment for jurors, employees, and other courthouse guests.

Jury trials were suspended until March 1, 2021 in a December 14 Supreme Court order.

Appellate courts

The Supreme Court reinstated in-person rotunda filing with a December 21 order, after earlier orders (April 7, April 30, May 19, June 19, and July 2) had suspended those filing methods. The December 21 order also reaffirmed that if parties cannot meet deadlines established in those earlier March 23, March 25, and March 27 orders, they may file motions for extensions of time or belated filing.

The Supreme Court also increased the limit on distance CLE for lawyers and judges.

Resources & sample documents

Guidance

Expanding operations

Jury materials

Isolation and quarantine

Press release template

Sample signage

Statements & messaging

The following messages have been distributed by the Supreme Court and Office of Judicial Administration:

Schedule changes

More information

National Center for State Courts