Ind. Code ch. 33-34-1

in effect

Ind. Code § 33-34-1-1 Judge

Sec. 1. As used in this article, "judge" means the judge of a small claims court established under this chapter unless otherwise indicated. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-11.6-1-2.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.13.

Ind. Code § 33-34-1-2 Establishment of courts

Sec. 2. (a) There are established township small claims courts in each county containing a consolidated city. (b) The name of each court shall be the "__________ Township of Marion County Small Claims Court" (insert the name of the township in the blank). [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-11.6-1-3.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.13.

Ind. Code § 33-34-1-3 Court of record

Sec. 3. (a) This subsection applies before July 1, 2018. The small claims court is not a court of record. A person who wishes to appeal the judgment of a small claims court entered before July 1, 2018, shall appeal the case to the circuit or superior court under IC 33-34-3-15. (b) This subsection applies after June 30, 2018. The small claims court is a court of record. A person who wishes to appeal the judgment of a small claims court entered after June 30, 2018, shall appeal the case to the court of appeals in accordance with IC 33-34-3-15.1. (c) This subsection applies after June 30, 2018. Notwithstanding any other law, the elected constable shall continue to serve the court's personal service of process even after the court becomes a court of record. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-11.6-1-4.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.170-2015, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 33-34-1-4 Terms of court

Sec. 4. The small claims court shall meet in continuous session. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-11.6-1-6.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.13.

Ind. Code § 33-34-1-5 Circuit court judge

Sec. 5. The judge of the circuit court shall extend aid and assistance to the judges in the conduct of the township small claims courts. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-11.6-1-7.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.13.

Ind. Code § 33-34-1-6 Full-time divisions

Sec. 6. (a) A small claims court that was a full-time small claims court on January 1, 2015, remains a full-time court. (b) Every small claims court must be a full-time court. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-11.6-2-2.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.65-2004, SEC.13; P.L.170-2015, SEC.2; P.L.86-2018, SEC.229.

Ind. Code § 33-34-1-7 Public hearings

Sec. 7. A hearing must be conducted to obtain evidence, opinions, advice, and suggestions from public officials and the general public concerning: (1) whether a small claims court should be established or abolished in the township, if the township has a population of less than fifteen thousand (15,000) persons; (2) the location of the small claims court courtroom and offices; and (3) other relevant matters. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-11.6-2-3.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.65-2004, SEC.14; P.L.174-2006, SEC.2; P.L.170-2015, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 33-34-1-8 Notice of hearings concerning small claims court

Sec. 8. The township trustee shall give ten (10) days notice of all hearings held under section 7 of this chapter in one (1) or more newspapers of general circulation in the county. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-11.6-2-4.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.13.

Ind. Code § 33-34-1-9 Township board order

Sec. 9. Not more than two (2) weeks after a hearing is conducted under section 7 of this chapter, the township board shall, after considering the evidence, opinions, advice, and suggestions presented at the hearing, enter an order concerning: (1) whether a small claims court shall be established or abolished in the township if the township has a population of less than fifteen thousand (15,000) persons; (2) the location of the small claims court courtroom and offices under IC 33-34-6-1; and (3) other relevant matters. [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-11.6-2-5.] As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.65-2004, SEC.15; P.L.174-2006, SEC.3; P.L.170-2015, SEC.4.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/33Fetched: 10/17/2026