Supreme Court honors judicial officers for service, higher education

The Indiana Supreme Court on Tuesday recognized judges and magistrates across the state for their commitment to higher education and longtime service.

Nine judicial officers received an Indiana Judicial College certificate and 15 were honored for years of service on the bench. The accomplishments were celebrated during the annual judicial conference, which was held virtually to accommodate social distancing measures, according to the high court.

In order to receive the Indiana Judicial College certificate, judicial officers must complete 120 hours of education presented by the Indiana Office of Court Services. The program enhances legal knowledge and improves personal and professional development. Judges who were recognized with the certificate include:

• Bartholomew County Judge Kelly Benjamin
• Marion County Magistrate Judge Susan Boatright
• Pulaski County Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher
• Martin County Judge Lynne Ellis
• Fayette County Judge Paul Freed
• Warrick County Judge Greg Granger
• Marion County Judge Sheryl Lynch
• LaPorte County Magistrate Judge Pamela Munsey
• LaPorte County Judge Jeffrey Thorne

Additionally, more than a dozen judges were honored for serving 24 years on the bench. Trial judges receiving the certificate were likely elected more than four times to six-year terms. The honored judges include:

• Miami County Judge Daniel Banina
• Indiana Court of Appeals Chief Judge Cale Bradford
• Hamilton County Judge J. Richard Campbell
• Lake County Judge Julie Cantrell
• Orange County Judge R. Michael Cloud
• Marion County Magistrate Judge Caryl Forsythe Dill
• Marion County David Dreyer
• Marion County Steven Eichholtz
• Wayne County Gregory Horn
• Benton County Rex Kepner
• Wabash County Robert McCallen
• White County Judge Robert Mrzlack
• Rush County Judge David Northam
• Kosciusko County Judge Joe Sutton
• Jennings County Judge Jonathan Webster