Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-11-16
SUGGESTS PLAN
FOR MUNICIPAL
COURT SYSTEM
Attorney Asks Bar Association
to Father Bill for Relief
in Indianapolis.

INDIANAPOLIS will have a municipal
court system, If the efforts Of Henry
Abrams attorney, to have the Indianap-
lis Bar Association draw up such bill
for presentation TO the regular session OF
the general assembly, are successful. Mi
Abrams is now awaiting action Of the
bar association on 4 request made by
him for the appointment of a COMMITTEES
to consider the formation Of such bin
The municipal court system, according
to Mr.. Abrams, would relieve in great
manner the congestion Of the Marion
County Circuit and Superior Courts. II
would also save expense to citizens hav-
ing occasion to go to court for settlement
Of controversies in which sums not ex-
ceeding S1,O0O are involved.
In the present system in Marion
County many such suits originate in
the courts of a justice o. the neace a0d
should either party to the suit be dis
satisfied with the verdict, then an .,ppeai
is taken to the Circuit or Superior Courts
DIRECT APPEAL
COULD BE TAKEN.
With the Municipal Court system pre-
vailing, such suits could be filed in this
court, then, should either party be dis
satisfied with the outcome an appeal
could be taken direct to the Appellate
Court
Under Mr.. Abrams system the Mu-
nicipal Court would be composed Of two
branches, the criminal and the civil.
There would be three divisions of the
civil branch. with as many judges, and
only one division of the criminal branch.
He would have the four judges rotate
each month, so that each Judge sits as
Judge Of the criminal division one month
out Of each four
The civil branch of the court would be
divided into three divisions for convent
ence and for the sake Of time. Under
the system proposed by Mr.. Abrams.
the Municipal Court would have juris-
diction in civil cases involving matters
up to $1,000. All suits for over that
amount would be taken to the county
courts.
JUSTICE OF PEACE
COURTS REDUCED.
With the establishing of the Munich
pal Court system, most Of the Justice
Of the Peace Courts could be abolished,
Mr.. Abrams declares. However, under
the Indiana constitution. justice courts
can not be abolished, so the bill which
would be presented to the Legislature
would provide for the adjustment Of all
but possibly one or two OF the Justice
courts, leaving Just enough TO comply
with the constitution
This is popularity Of the Indiana con-
stitution. Any court In the State may be
abolished under the laws of Indiana, with
the exception Of a justice court There
fore, the bill which would be drawn up
for presentation TO the Legislature would
provide for possibly only one justice
court. All present justices would be per
mitted. however. to complete their terms
OF office.
Mr.. Abrams has slgnifed his willing
ness to assist IN thI preparation OF a
bill TO be presented 10 the next session
Of the Legislature. but he says It is too
much Of a task for one man TO attempt
to draw up the bill, and has asked the
cooperation Of the indianapolis Bar As
ISOLATION. The matter probably will be
taken up by the association at its next
meeting and a committee is expected to
be appointed to discuss the matter.