Clerk of the Warrick County Circuit and Superior Courts
The term “clerk” is derived from the Latin word clericus (“clergyman”). Its application to an officer of a court dates to the early days of England, when officers of courts of justice, as well as judges, were chosen among the clergy—the class to which almost all forms of learning were confined. In England “the clerk of the peace,” a county officer appointed by the custos rotulorum (“keeper of the rolls”) of the county, was clerk of the court of general sessions of the peace. In the United States, the creation of the office of the Clerk of the Court is a matter of constitutional or statutory provision.
Article 6 §2 of the Indiana State Constitution establishes the position of Clerk of the Circuit Court as the official name of the officer who keeps the records of courts of their respective counties. The Clerk is elected by the residents of Warrick County and is limited to serving no more than two four-year terms in a period of twelve years.
The Clerk is custodian of its record and seal, issues process, accepts filings of commencement of actions in litigation, enters judgments and orders of the Court, receives money in their official capacity, makes certified copies of record, issues licenses to practice various professions and must keep a record of all wills and matters of trust in probate proceedings. The Clerk must also prepare an annual budget.
The Warrick County Clerk is also Secretary to the Warrick County Election Board, is a registration officer charged with maintaining the registration rolls of voters residing within the County and is responsible for conducting county elections and certifying their results. Click here for information on voter registration and election results.
The Clerk is also responsible for receiving and distributing money paid for the support and maintenance of children or parents. The Clerk is to receive this money from whom the Court orders to make such payments.
In Warrick County, the records begin in 1814. Most records are public and can be researched by the public in the old books and through the computer system. The Clerk’s Office also maintains the records of marriage (licenses) and divorces. Click here for the requirements to obtain a marriage license in Warrick County. Please note: Certificates of birth and death are maintained by the Warrick County Health Department.
COVID-19 Protocols
Per Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s March 23rd address, beginning on April 6, 2021, the mask mandate became a mask advisory, and Warrick County government offices will be following the advisory; masks will not be required but are allowed at your own discretion.
Housing Protections
Because courts are open, if a bank or landlord files a case against you to initiate eviction or foreclosure, the court will accept the filing, and you should be notified about the case. Courts are likely to delay those cases in favor of public health, but this may not happen in every instance.
To learn more, see the March 25 memo about foreclosures and evictions sent by the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration to judges and clerks throughout the state.
Loved Ones in Jail or Secure Detention
Courts and their partners in local governments across the state have been encouraged and authorized to consider the release of low-risk, non-violent inmates from local and county jails. Adults and juveniles who qualify may be released under pretrial, probation, or community supervision. See the April 3 letter signed by leaders of all three branches of government sent to judicial officers statewide.
The Indiana Department of Correction has a website describing their response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the DOC Commissioner issued a letter with information for loved ones.
In addition, the Supreme Court has ordered that except in emergencies, Indiana courts will temporarily suspend existing, and will not issue new, writs of attachment, civil bench warrants, or body attachments. By refraining from these actions, the courts can avoid increasing jail populations and/or placing undue financial burdens on individuals during this public health emergency.