Sec. 4. (a) A trial conducted by a private judge shall be conducted without a jury.
(b) A person who serves as a private judge has, for each case the private judge hears, the same powers as the judge of a circuit court in relation to:
(1) court procedure;
(2) deciding the outcome of the case;
(3) attendance of witnesses;
(4) punishment of contempts;
(5) enforcement of orders;
(6) administering oaths; and
(7) giving all necessary certificates for the authentication of the records and proceedings.
(c) All proceedings in an action heard by a private judge are of record and must be:
(1) filed with the clerk of the circuit court in the county of proper venue under the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure; and
(2) made available to the public in the same manner as circuit court records.
(d) The Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure apply for all actions brought before a private judge. An appeal from an action or a judgment of a private judge may be taken in the same manner as an appeal from the circuit court of the county where the case is filed.
[Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-13-15-4.]
As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.17.