Indiana trial courts got 1.6 million cases in 2012

The state’s trial courts received 1.6 million new cases and held 1,338 civil and criminal jury trials last year, according to a new annual report.

The 2012 Indiana Judicial Service and Probation Report also found that more than 300,000 cases last year involved an individual who went to court without an attorney.

The courts release the document annually, along with the Supreme Court Annual Report. The courts also unveiled a new website Monday that allows users to compare data among counties and years.

“There are multiple volumes with more than 1,800 pages of information,” Justice Brent Dickson said in a written statement about the reports. “We have printed a limited number of hard copies and made all of the information available on our website.”

The reports provide details about court operations at the county and appellate level. Among the stats:

— The Supreme Court was asked to review 1,012 cases during fiscal year 2012-2013;

— 33,876 mortgage foreclosures were filed in the state;

— 11,325 Child In Need of Services – also called CHINS – cases were filed;

— An interpreter was used in 11,564 trial court cases;

— 5,900 cases statewide were referred to Alternative Dispute Resolution;

— 124,322 adults were under supervision by court probation departments.

The report also found that cities, towns, townships, counties and the state spent $386 million to operate the various levels of courts. Filing fees, court costs, user fees, and fines generated $205 million in revenue for the courts.

“We created the first report in 1976 with handwritten charts,” said Lilia Judson, executive director of Supreme Court’s Division of State Court Administration. “Today, we gather the information electronically and publish it online. This year, a new website allows users to compare data easily such as caseloads between counties.”