CHAPTER 12. POLITICAL ACTIVITY OF COURT EMPLOYEES
IC 33-23-12
Chapter 12. Political Activity of Court Employees
IC 33-23-12-1
Legislative findings
Sec. 1. The general assembly finds that:
(1) the right of every citizen to freely participate in political
activity is inherent in the guarantee of free speech contained in
Article 1, Section 9 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana
and in Amendment I to the Constitution of the United States;
(2) the right to freely participate in political activity is
guaranteed to state employees under IC 4-15-10-2;
(3) the judiciary is not less subject to constitutional strictures
against governmental interference with the free exercise of
speech than are the executive and legislative branches of
government; and
(4) employees in the judicial branch of state government have
the same rights guaranteed to all Indiana citizens.
As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.2.
IC 33-23-12-2
"Court employee" defined
Sec. 2. (a) As used in this chapter, "court employee" means a
person employed by any of the following:
(1) The supreme court.
(2) The court of appeals.
(3) The tax court.
(4) A circuit court.
(5) A superior court.
(6) A juvenile court.
(7) A probate court.
(8) A county court.
(9) A municipal court.
(10) A city or town court.
(11) A small claims court.
(b) The term does not include a judge of any of the courts listed
in subsection (a)(1) through (a)(11).
As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.2.
IC 33-23-12-3
Right to participate in or abstain from political activity
Sec. 3. Except when on duty or acting in an official capacity and
except where otherwise provided by state or federal law, a court
employee may not be:
(1) discouraged from engaging in political activity; or
(2) denied the right to choose to refrain from engaging in
political activity.
As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.2.