Circuit Court
The Tipton Circuit Court, located on the third floor of the Tipton County Courthouse, is the only court of general jurisdiction in Tipton County. The court processes all cases in Tipton County with the exception of some traffic matters which are handled in the Sharpsville Town and Tipton City Courts.
In general, criminal cases are heard on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings; child support cases are heard on Thursday mornings; and small claims are heard on Friday afternoons. All other cases are scheduled as the calendar allows.
With the exception of certain cases involving minors and juveniles, all hearings are open to the public. Citizens wishing to observe court do not need to check-in at the court office, and can enter the courtroom using the public entrance.
Those persons appearing for a case of their own must appear on time and must check-in at the court office.
The Judge may not speak with anyone about a case outside the courtroom. The court staff can provide information, but cannot give legal advice. A list of what the staff can and cannot do is located below.
How Court Staff Can and Cannot Assist You with Your Case
The court, including the judge, the clerk, and all court staff, must remain impartial. This means that they cannot take sides in any matter coming before the court. They will give the same types of information to persons on both sides of a case, but they cannot provide legal advice. Information you provide to court staff is not confidential. Read below to find out what the court can and cannot provide to you.
What Court Staff CAN DO:
- We can provide you with a telephone number of local lawyer referral services.
- We can explain and answer questions about how the court works.
- We can provide you with general information about court rules, procedures, and practices.
- We can provide you information from your case file, including information as to when your next court hearing is.
- We can provide a copy of the small claims manual and court forms that are available and instructions on how to complete them.
- We can review your papers for completeness by checking for signatures, notarization, correct county name, and correct case number.
What Court Staff CAN NOT DO:
- We cannot provide legal advice or legal interpretations. Only a lawyer can give you legal advice. Staff can answer questions that call for factual information. These are generally questions that start with “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” or “how.” They cannot answer questions that call for an opinion about what you should do. These are generally questions that start with “should” or “whether.” For example, court staff can explain court rules and procedures, but they cannot suggest which of several available procedures you should follow.
- We cannot advise you whether or not you should bring your case to court or give you an opinion about what will happen if you bring your case to court.
- We cannot advise you what to say in court.
- We cannot let you talk to the judge outside court. We also cannot talk to the judge for you about your case.
- We cannot fill out a form for you or tell you what words to use in your court papers.
- We cannot sign an order or change an order signed by the judge. We cannot explain the meaning of a court order to you.
- We cannot provide any guidance or interpretation of the Parenting Time Guidelines for you.
Contact Us
(More about County Circuit Court)
101 E Jefferson St
3rd Floor
Tipton, IN 46072
Get Directions
- Phone: (765) 675-2791
- Fax: (765) 675-6436
- Staff Directory
- Office Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Closed from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. daily