Serving Marion County and Indianapolis
Marion County is Indiana's largest county and its legal center. Indianapolis is home to the Indiana Court of Appeals and the Indiana Supreme Court — making it the destination for all Indiana appellate work regardless of where a trial took place. It also hosts a major employment market, a large criminal docket, and one of Indiana's busiest family law dockets.
Hammond Legal appears regularly in Marion County — in the Marion Superior Courts for trial-level matters, and before the Indiana Court of Appeals and Indiana Supreme Court for appellate work. From employment discrimination claims in Indianapolis to felony defense in Lawrence, CHINS cases in Beech Grove, or appeals arising from any Indiana county, Hammond Legal serves Marion County clients across the full range of practice areas.
Marion County Courts
Marion County operates as a unified trial court system with most cases handled at the Marion County Justice Center, 675 Justice Way, Indianapolis, IN 46203. The county has both a Circuit Court and Superior Courts, along with Township Small Claims Courts. The Marion County Clerk's Office — which handles filings — is located at the City-County Building, 200 E Washington St, Indianapolis.
Marion Superior Court — Criminal Division
Handles all criminal charges filed by the Marion County Prosecutor's Office — misdemeanors, D felonies, major felonies, domestic violence, and drug-related matters.
Marion Superior Court — Civil Division
Handles all civil cases including torts, employment matters, insurance defense, foreclosures, protective orders, and general civil litigation (Courts D01–D07, D11–D13, and OV).
Marion Superior Court — Family Division
Handles domestic relations (divorce), custody, CHINS, juvenile delinquency, paternity, termination of parental rights, adoptions, and guardianships for minors (Courts D09, D10, D14–D16, D22, D24).
Marion Circuit Court
Separate from the Superior Courts. Handles small claims matters and certain specific cases including reciprocal support. Administered through indy.gov.
Township Small Claims Courts
Nine township divisions handling civil claims up to $10,000, tenant evictions, and possessory actions — serving Center, Decatur, Lawrence, Perry, Pike, Warren, Washington, Wayne, and Franklin townships.
Indiana Court of Appeals & Indiana Supreme Court
Located at 200 W Washington St, Indianapolis. Handles all Indiana criminal and civil appeals — regardless of which county the trial occurred in. Hammond Legal drafts appellate briefs and argues before both courts.
Communities in Marion County
Indianapolis
State capital and county seat. Location of all Marion County courts and Indiana's appellate courts. ~35 miles from Anderson.
Lawrence
Northeast Indianapolis. Active criminal and family law docket.
Beech Grove
Southeast Marion County. Incorporated city within Indianapolis metro area.
Speedway & Southport
Incorporated towns within Marion County. All file matters in the Indianapolis courts.
Cumberland & Warren Park
East side Marion County communities bordering Hancock County.
Where to File in Marion County
Divorce & Family Law
Divorce, custody, child support, and paternity petitions in Marion County are filed with the Marion County Clerk of Courts at the City-County Building, 200 E Washington St, Indianapolis. Indiana requires six months of state residency and three months of Marion County residency before filing (IC 31-15-2-6). Cases are assigned to the Domestic Relations division of the Marion Superior Courts.
Criminal Charges
Felony and misdemeanor charges in Marion County are prosecuted by the Marion County Prosecutor's Office and heard in the Criminal Division of the Marion Superior Courts. If you have been arrested in Indianapolis, Lawrence, Beech Grove, or anywhere in Marion County, call Hammond Legal immediately at 317-284-9944.
Appeals
All Indiana criminal and civil appeals — regardless of which county the trial took place in — are filed with the Indiana Court of Appeals, 200 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204. The Notice of Appeal must be filed within 30 days of the judgment or sentencing order. Hammond Legal drafts appellate briefs and argues before the Indiana Court of Appeals and Indiana Supreme Court.
Employment Law
Indianapolis is Indiana's largest employment market. EEOC charges from Marion County workplaces are filed with the Indianapolis Area EEOC office. Indiana's 300-day deadline from the date of the discriminatory act applies. Hammond Legal represents both employees and employers in Marion County employment matters.
CHINS
CHINS proceedings in Marion County are initiated by DCS and filed in the Juvenile division of the Marion Superior Courts. The Marion County DCS office is one of Indiana's largest and most active. Parents facing a CHINS case in Indianapolis or anywhere in Marion County should seek legal representation immediately — the first hearing is often scheduled within 48 hours of a child's removal.
Practice Areas in Marion County
Appeals
All Indiana appeals are heard in Indianapolis. The 30-day Notice of Appeal deadline is strict — call Hammond Legal immediately if you received an unfavorable judgment.
Learn moreFelony Defense
Defense for Level 1–6 felony charges in the Marion Superior Courts. Call immediately if arrested in Indianapolis or Marion County.
Learn moreEmployment Law
Workplace discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage-and-hour claims for Indianapolis and Marion County employees and employers.
Learn moreCHINS Defense
Parent representation in Marion County DCS proceedings. The Marion County CHINS docket is one of Indiana's most active.
Learn moreHammond Legal also handles family law, drug offenses, post-conviction relief, and expungement in Marion County.
Common Questions — Marion County
Where is the Indiana Court of Appeals?
The Indiana Court of Appeals and Indiana Supreme Court are located in the Indiana Statehouse complex at 200 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46204. All Indiana criminal and civil appeals — regardless of where the trial occurred — are heard here. The Notice of Appeal must be filed within 30 days of judgment.
Where do I file for divorce in Marion County?
Divorce petitions are filed with the Marion County Clerk of Courts at the Marion County Justice Center, 675 Justice Way, Indianapolis, IN 46203. Marion County has no Circuit Court — all family law matters are handled by the Domestic Relations division of the Marion Superior Courts. At least one spouse must have been a Marion County resident for three months before filing (IC 31-15-2-6).
Which court handles criminal charges in Indianapolis?
Marion County criminal cases are handled by the Criminal Division of the Marion Superior Courts. Marion County has no Circuit Court. Cases are prosecuted by the Marion County Prosecutor's Office. If you have been arrested in Indianapolis, call Hammond Legal immediately at 317-284-9944.
Does Hammond Legal handle EEOC cases in Indianapolis?
Yes. Hammond Legal handles employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage-and-hour claims for Marion County clients. The Indianapolis Area EEOC office handles charges from Marion County employers. Indiana's 300-day filing deadline applies. We represent both employees and employers.
How far is Hammond Legal from Indianapolis?
Hammond Legal is based in Anderson, approximately 35 miles from downtown Indianapolis and the Marion County courts. We regularly appear in Marion County and before the Indiana Court of Appeals and Indiana Supreme Court in Indianapolis.
Other Counties We Serve