Court System of Dearborn County

7th District Circuit Court of Dearborn and Ohio Counties:

Dearborn Circuit Court opened in 1818 with Judge John Test of Franklin County. The second judge, John Watts, 1819-1820, was from Dearborn County. The first courthouse stood at its present site, 215 W. High St., Lawrenceburg, but the building was gutted by fire March 5, 1826 . The second building was constructed on the same foundation, and with the same brick walls as the first. The county seat has been in Lawrenceburg since the county was organized in 1803 with the exception of when it was in Wilmington from September 1836 to January 1884. The present courthouse was built in the early 1870s for about $100,000.

Dearborn Circuit Court:

The court serves Dearborn and Ohio counties under Judge James Humphrey. The Lawrenceburg location, second floor of the Dearborn County Courthouse, 215 W. High St., serves Dearborn residents. Ohio County is served through the Ohio County Courthouse in Rising Sun. Cases taken are civil $3,000 and up, and criminal Class D felony and up. Circuit court's juvenile court, Lawrenceburg, and Guardian Ad Litem program also are under the court's jurisdiction. 

Humphrey and prosecutor Aaron Negangard serve Dearborn County and Ohio County residents, but have main offices in the Dearborn County Courthouse. Dearborn Circuit Court general information number is 812-537-8865; court clerk, 812-537-8866; probation, 812-537-8876; prosecutor, 812-537-8884. All office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Dearborn Superior Court:

Located on the third floor of the Dearborn County Courthouse, 215 W. High St., Lawrenceburg. County court handles civil cases up to $10,000, and criminal misdemeanors and Class D felonies. It serves the residents of Dearborn County. Judge Jonathan N. Cleary (Superior Court I) and Judge Sally Blankenship (Superior Court II) preside during office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. for traffic violations. General information number is 812-537-8874; court clerk, 812-537-8866; probation, 812-537-8872; prosecutor. 812-537-8884.

Aurora City Court:

Aurora's City Court is at 218 Third St., Aurora, and serves city and county residents for infractions and misdemeanors. Luther Rice resigned from judge in July 1997. On Friday, Sept. 5, 1997, Gov. Frank O'Bannon appointed Avis (Tiny) Rivera judge. Court hours are 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday. General information number is 812-926-1985; prosecutor 812-537-8884. 

Lawrenceburg City Court:

Lawrenceburg City Court handles infraction and misdemeanor cases for city and county residents, and it is housed inside the Dearborn County Courthouse, 215 W. High St., Lawrenceburg. Judge Tom Bauer presides during court hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The court is closed Wednesday. Bauer's term runs through 1999. General information number is 812-537-2772; prosecutor, 812-537-8884.