Opinion ID: 853928
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Magistrate Issues

Text: A. Change of Judge Motion. Judge Richard Maroc initially presided over Coleman's post-conviction proceeding. Coleman moved for and received a change of judge pursuant to Indiana Post-Conviction Rule 1(4)(b). While a special judge was being selected, Magistrate T. Edward Page granted a motion for an extension of time made by Coleman. (Compare T.R. at 373 (date Conroy, J., assumed jurisdiction) with T.R. at 152 (date Page granted motion).) Coleman claims Page was acting under Judge Maroc's authority. Thus, he argues, the grant of Coleman's change of judge motion should have applied to Page as well, thus preventing Page from continuing to serve as magistrate in his case when Special Judge Conroy assumed jurisdiction. The act under which Page received his authority stated, The judges of the criminal division may appoint one (1) full-time magistrate under IC 33-4-7. The magistrate continues in office until removed by the judges of the criminal division. Ind.Code Ann. § 33-5-29.5-7.1 (West Supp.1994) (amended 1995). Magistrate Page serves all judges on the criminal division, not just Judge Maroc. Thus, even if Page did serve while Judge Maroc remained the judge of record in Coleman's case, that would not disqualify Page from assisting the next judge who assumes the reigns. B. Constitutionality of Lake County Magistrate Act. Coleman also argues that the Lake County magistrate provision, Ind. Code Ann. § 33-5-29.5-7.1 (West Supp.1994) (amended 1995), which created the position that Magistrate Page occupied in this case, violates multiple provisions of Indiana's Constitution. Coleman failed to allege such constitutional infirmities before the post-conviction court, however, thus waiving them. See Bayh v. Indiana State Bldg. & Constr. Trades Council, 674 N.E.2d 176, 179 n. 3 (Ind.1996) (failure to present constitutional question at trial waives it from appellate consideration).