Marion County Prosecutor

Under the Constitution of the State of Indiana, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) represents the State of Indiana in criminal matters before the Marion County Superior Courts. The office has jurisdiction of all areas within the borders of Marion County, including the cities of Lawrence, Beech Grove, Southport, and the town of Speedway; and the Indiana State Capital. 

Approximately 30,000 criminal cases are resolved annually in Marion County through diversion, plea agreements, trials, and dismissals. An increasing number of matters are resolved through the Marion County Problem Solving Courts and other alternative dispositions.

The prosecutor is elected by the voters of Marion County to a four-year term and has wide discretion and immunity regarding whether/what to charge. The Marion County City-County Council must approve the prosecutor’s budget annually.

The prosecutor’s office sets standards for the criminal justice system in Marion County by increasing access to justice, fairness, and equity while maintaining the highest ethical standards and preserving the rights of victims.

Divisions

Trial Division

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Trial Division is structured into four teams, according to how the criminal courts are organized. Each team staffs two Major Felony Courts and three Level 6 Felony/Misdemeanor Courts and includes deputy prosecuting attorneys specializing in working with victims of domestic violence, sex crimes, and child abuse.

Criminal Charging Division

Law enforcement agencies present cases to this division for criminal charging determinations. Deputy prosecuting attorneys determine if criminal charges are appropriate to be filed in each case. The MCPO operates the Marion County Child Advocacy Center where specialized deputy prosecuting attorneys coordinate with Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Child Abuse Detectives and, Department of Child Services (DCS) investigators and caseworkers as a team for child abuse investigations and review matters for criminal charging determinations. Similarly, deputy prosecuting attorneys are co-located with IMPD Domestic Violence detectives at the Family Justice Center located on the property of the Julian Center to facilitate investigations and criminal charging decisions on accusations of domestic violence.

Traffic Court

The most common interaction for members of the public with the criminal justice system is through matters handled by the Traffic Court, including common traffic infractions. The MCPO offers deferral and diversion opportunities to reduce the collateral consequences of traffic violations.

Juvenile Division

This division is responsible for filing and prosecuting acts of delinquency by children 17 years of age and younger. Through grant funding, a deputy prosecuting attorney within the division also provides awareness and preventative education on Teen Dating Violence.

Grand Jury Division

Investigators assigned to the MCPO conduct long-term investigations in cases involving white-collar crime, public corruption, and tax evasion. In limited circumstances, evidence of suspected crimes is presented to a grand jury composed of six citizens of Marion County to determine if criminal charges are filed. The grand jury also has the power to investigate misconduct concerning public facilities and officials. The jurors are dependent upon the prosecutor’s staff for their job training, legal advice, and witness testimony. The use of the grand jury is totally at the discretion of the prosecutor’s office. Its work is totally confidential until such time as charges (indictments) are filed, or the prosecutor discloses the results of a special investigation. Overall, the grand jury reviews a relatively few select matters but fulfills an important part of the MCPO’s role to ensure justice.

Post-Conviction Division

This division responds to all requests for post-conviction relief and for sentence modifications. This division also handles all requests for expungement of arrests and convictions and the sealing of criminal records.

Special Prosecution Unit

The Special Prosecution Unit collects and analyzes data to assist in investigations and criminal cases. Members of the unit work closely with the Crime Gun Intelligence Center, a multi-agency effort to identify individuals and groups of persons who appear to present escalating violent behaviors through firearm forensics.

Community Services

Public Engagement and Programs Division

The Public Engagement and Programs Division builds relationships with Marion County communities to reduce crime and avoid involvement in the criminal justice system. The Public Engagement and Programs division manages a number of initiatives aimed at reducing recidivism including the Second Chance Workshops, which bring suspended driver’s license reinstatement and expungement services to the community. Neighborhood Outreach Coordinators maintain a presence in neighborhoods across the county, strengthening bonds with community members and organizations through education and engagement. Youth-focused programs are also offered, including the Prosecutor’s Youth Violence Prevention Fellowship.

Victim Advocates

Victim Advocates play an important role in helping victims of crime navigate the judicial process during their criminal cases. They also assist victims to connect with needed resources, including trauma counseling and housing. Specialized advocates assist survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse, as well as the families of homicide victims.

Latino Services Division

The Latino Services Division is composed of Court Certified Interpreters who ensure that Spanish-speaking victims and witnesses in criminal cases have equitable access to justice. The Division also provides crime prevention and outreach to the Latino communities within Marion County. Interpretation and victim services are also provided in multiple other languages each year.