INDIANAPOLIS —  Kosciusko County Superior Court 1 Judge Karin McGrath has been appointed to serve on the Indiana Commission on Court Appointed Attorneys.

The appointment was made by Chief Justice Loretta Rush of the Indiana Supreme Court, according to a news release from the state.

Judge McGrath has presided over the Kosciusko Superior Court 1 since her appointment by Governor Holcomb in 2021. 

She was instrumental in establishing the Kosciusko County Public Defender’s Office and has established the Kosciusko County Reentry Court.

“I am honored by this appointment, and I look forward to working with the other members of the Commission and having the opportunity to provide input as a trial court judge working with public defenders on a daily basis,” McGrath said.

The Commission is an independent judicial branch agency of the State of Indiana that has worked since 1989 to establish standards for public defense services and to facilitate partial reimbursement for counties that meet those standards. The Commission supports and encourages counties to provide effective, legally sound public defense by tying state funding to adherence to quality standards.

The Commission is currently mandated to:

• Make recommendations to the Indiana Supreme Court regarding standards for indigent defense services for defendants facing the death penalty.
• Adopt guidelines and standards for indigent defense services under which counties are eligible for reimbursement, including.
• Make recommendations concerning the delivery of indigent defense services in Indiana.
• Make an annual report to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Supreme Court on the operation of the public defense fund.

The Commission consists of 11 members: 3 are appointed by the Chief Justice; 3 are appointed by the Governor; 2 are members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House; and 2 are members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

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