CHAPTER 3. SENIOR JUDGES

IC 33-23-3
     Chapter 3. Senior Judges

IC 33-23-3-1
Application for senior judge appointment
    
Sec. 1. (a) A circuit court, a superior court, a county court, a probate court, the tax court, or the court of appeals may apply to the supreme court for the appointment of a senior judge to serve the court.
    (b) The application submitted under this section must include the following:
        (1) Reasons for the request.
        (2) Estimated duration of the need for a senior judge.
As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.32-2005, SEC.1.

IC 33-23-3-2
Approval of application; appointment
    
Sec. 2. Upon approving the request by a circuit court, a superior court, a county court, a probate court, the tax court, or the court of appeals for a senior judge, the supreme court may appoint a senior judge to serve that court for the duration specified in the application submitted under section 1 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.32-2005, SEC.2.

IC 33-23-3-3
Service of senior judge
    
Sec. 3. A senior judge:
        (1) exercises the jurisdiction granted to the court served by the senior judge;
        (2) may serve as a domestic relations mediator, subject to the code of judicial conduct;
        (3) serves at the pleasure of the supreme court; and
        (4) serves in accordance with rules adopted by the supreme court under IC 33-24-3-7.
A senior judge serving as a domestic relations mediator is not entitled to reimbursement or a per diem under section 5 of this chapter. A senior judge serving as a domestic relations mediator may receive compensation from the alternative dispute resolution fund under IC 33-23-6 in accordance with the county domestic relations alternative dispute resolution plan.
As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.2.

IC 33-23-3-4

Assignment to serve; acceptance; rejection
    
Sec. 4. The supreme court may not require a senior judge to accept an assignment to serve a circuit court, a superior court, a county court, a probate court, the tax court, or the court of appeals. If a senior judge declines an assignment to serve, the supreme court may offer the senior judge subsequent assignments to serve a circuit court, a superior court, a county court, a probate court, the tax court,

or the court of appeals.
As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.32-2005, SEC.3.

IC 33-23-3-5
Compensation
    
Sec. 5. (a) A senior judge is entitled to the following compensation:
        (1) For each of the first thirty (30) days of service in a calendar year, a per diem of one hundred dollars ($100).
        (2) Except as provided in subsection (c), for each day the senior judge serves after serving the first thirty (30) days of service in a calendar year, a per diem of two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
        (3) Reimbursement for:
            (A) mileage; and
            (B) reasonable expenses, including but not limited to meals and lodging, incurred in performing service as a senior judge;
        for each day served as a senior judge.
    (b) Subject to subsection (c), the per diem and reimbursement for mileage and reasonable expenses under subsection (a) shall be paid by the state.
    (c) The compensation under subsection (a)(2) must be paid by the state from funds appropriated to the supreme court for judicial payroll. If the payroll fund is insufficient to pay the compensation under subsection (a)(2), the supreme court may issue an order adjusting the compensation rate.
    (d) A senior judge appointed under this chapter may not be compensated as a senior judge for more than one hundred (100) total calendar days during a calendar year.
As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.246-2005, SEC.220; P.L.119-2007, SEC.1.