Bernard A. Carter is the Prosecuting Attorney for the 31st Judicial Circuit, which is Lake County. As Prosecuting Attorney, he represents the State of Indiana and protects the people of Lake County from violence and crime by prosecuting and incarcerating the wrongdoers to ensure public safety.
Early Years
- A native of Gary, IN, Prosecutor Carter attended West Side High School and graduated from Washington High School.
- In 1978, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Kentucky State University.
- In 1984, he earned his Juris Doctorate from Valparaiso University School of Law and began work as a Deputy Prosecutor the same year.
- Prosecutor Carter was an outstanding Deputy Prosecutor and served as such until 1990.
- As a Deputy Prosecutor, he successfully prosecuted more than 80 serious felony cases and was meritoriously appointed as Supervisor of the County Courts Division, the largest and busiest division in the Prosecutor’s Office.
Professional Career
- In 1990, Prosecutor Carter successfully ran for Judge of the Lake Superior Court, County Division III.
- He remained as Judge in that courtroom until 1993 when he was appointed Prosecuting Attorney of the 31st Judicial Circuit by Governor Evan Bayh.
- In 1994, he was elected as Prosecuting Attorney and has since served in this position. As Prosecutor, he has secured convictions in four death penalty cases.
- Since his graduation from Valparaiso Law School in 1984, Prosecutor Carter has unwaveringly answered the siren call of criminal justice. His service to his profession and elected position has always been enthusiastic and highly productive.
Community Participation
- He has been active in community affairs, having served in many capacities with charitable associations, legal groups and professional organizations on both state and local levels.
- His efforts were recognized by the Indiana Disciplinary Commission and Prosecutor Carter is now a member of their board, serving as the current President.
- As a member Prosecutor Carter investigates, reviews, and ultimately prosecutes claims of misconduct against lawyers licensed to practice law in Indiana. Prosecutor Carter is also an avid lecturer on strategies for crime reduction and for safer communities. He not only engages law enforcement on these topics but he also engages the general public on ensuring safety in the community.
- Since he began his career, he has made it a priority to visit area schools to speak and mentor students.
Distinctions
- He was awarded IPAC’s Stephen Johnson Award in 2018 for outstanding service as a prosecutor. He was named Distinguished Barrister by the Indiana Lawyer as part of the publications Leadership in Law program in 2020.
- He has been a guest lecturer at Indiana University Northwest Indiana in Attorney John Henry Hall, ED., LLM.’s Law and Social Change course.
- Of African-American heritage, Prosecutor Carter earned many firsts as the first elected black judge in the history of Lake County; the first elected black Prosecutor in the history of both Lake County and State of Indiana; and the first elected black President of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council for two terms.
- Out of many achievements, both as a Criminal Justice professional and as an African- American, perhaps Prosecutor Carter’s greatest achievement in his professional and extra- professional endeavors to ensure Public Safety is the sure and continuing erasure of any distinctions among all people of race, sex, religion and ethnic origin.
Lake County Contact Info:
Address:
2293 N. Main Street
Crown Point, IN 46307
Telephone:
219.755.3720