KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Indiana Senator Randall Head has authored a bill that would bring a fourth judge to the Superior Court of Kosciusko County. Senate Bill 58 is still in the preliminary stages of becoming a law, but could mean big changes to how fast the local court works.

“Kosciusko has the eighth most overworked judges in the state of Indiana,” said Head. “There is definitely a need, merit.”

According to a weighted caseload study conducted in 2015, the county would need six judges to properly handle the amount of cases in the county per year.

The Kosciusko County Justice Building currently has three Superior Court judges and one Circuit Court judge. Adding a new judge wouldn’t cost the county much as the building already has an empty courtroom. The State of Indiana would pay the judge and the county would cover other costs, such as a bailiff or technology in the courtroom.

Head stated that local residents could see the biggest benefit of this bill. The court process would be able to move faster if there was an additional judge on duty.

“There would be less of a backload,” said Head.

Senate Bill 58 was read on Tuesday, Jan. 3 to state Legislature. In order to move forward, the Judiciary Committee would approve the bill for a hearing. If the bill were to die in the process, it could be brought back up at a later date to be considered.

For local residents who want their voices heard about adding a fourth Superior Court Judge, they can write letters of support to Senator Head at 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204 or email [email protected].