The Court of Appeals is the second highest court in Indiana. It hears and rules on appeals from the State’s trial courts. This court was originally established by the Indiana General Assembly in 1891 to relieve the caseload of the Supreme Court. Fifteen judges serve on the Court of Appeals and are assigned cases in panels of 3.
The Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal in the state and administers trial courts throughout the state. The Supreme Court has discretionary power over the cases they hear in this historic courtroom. The room retains its 1888 appearance with the original bench, furniture and décor. The custom carpet was woven to match an earlier style.
The five Supreme Court Justices preside at this bench. Attorneys state their case at the podium. The podium and attorneys’ tables remain as part of the furnishings purchased for the room in the 1880s.
The Court Room looks like it did in 1888. The original chandelier remains and the candle style fixtures with flickering bulbs indicate that they previously ran on natural gas. The decorative stenciling on the walls and ceiling was restored between 2003 and 2005. The rich style reflects the importance of the Court and the importance of the Judicial Branch within Indiana State Government.
Designed and installed by the Wells Glass Company of Chicago, the stained glass windows remain along with the dome in the rotunda as the only ones visible from the interior of the building.