Sec. 21. (a) The court is divided into civil (including probate), criminal, county, and juvenile divisions. The work of the court shall be divided among the divisions by the rules of the court.
(b) Seven (7) judges comprise the civil division. Four (4) judges comprise the criminal division. Four (4) judges comprise the county division. One (1) judge comprises the juvenile division. However, the court by rule may alter the number of judges assigned to a division of the court if the court determines that the change is necessary for the efficient operation of the court.
(c) The court by rule may reassign a judge of the court from one (1) division to another if the court determines that the change is necessary for the efficient operation of the court. The court by rule may establish a rotation schedule providing for the rotation of judges through the various divisions. The rotation schedule may be used if the court determines that an emergency exists. However, a senior judge of any division may not be reassigned or rotated to another division under this subsection.
(d) The chief judge of the court may assign a judge in one (1) division of the court to hear a case originating in another division of the court, and may reassign cases from one (1) judge to another, if the chief judge determines that the change is necessary for the efficient operation of the court.
(e) A judge of a division of the court who has not been appointed to the court under section 38 of this chapter is not eligible to be reassigned, rotated, or transferred to the other divisions of the court. However, a judge of a division of the court who has not been appointed to the court under section 38 of this chapter may apply to fill a vacancy in another division of the court through appointment as provided under this chapter.
[Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-5-29.5-21.]
As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.201-2011, SEC.60.