Norrick admits to failing to supervise court staff
May 20—ANDERSON — Madison Circuit Court Division 5 Judge Scott Norrick in a response said he agreed to a 45-day suspension for failing to supervise the court staff.
Norrick was suspended by the Indiana Supreme Court Friday for 45 days without pay starting on June 3.
Tim States, court administrator, said the Madison County court system respects the agreement between Norrick and the Indiana Judicial Qualifications Commission and make adjustments to pending cases are handled in a timely manner.
"As Judge, it is my responsibility to ensure that accurate entries are made on the docket," he said in a response to the suspension. "My failure to review every single entry made by my court staff led to missing docket entries and orders, as well as the dismissal of cases."
Norrick said orders involving Landmark Accounts, which he used to represent before becoming judge, were mistakenly stamped with his name instead of the name of the Magistrate who heard the cases.
"This created the appearance that my son (Devin) was appearing before me," Norrick said. "He was not. He has never appeared before me, nor have I personally signed any orders for him."
He said since the clerical orders were found, the court has undergone an extensive review and a new training program was enacted.
"I believe it is of utmost importance that my Court is transparent and honest regarding this matter," Norrick said. "I apologize for any confusion or hardship these errors have caused."
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications filed disciplinary charges against Norrick in February.
The complaint states that — from Jan. 1, 2021, through March 31, 2023 — 40 criminal cases in his court were missing entries and orders.
The complaint states that Norrick was informed by the other judges and the Madison County Prosecutor's Office about concerns caused by delays in inputting case entries and orders in criminal cases. Norrick was made aware that his court reporter at the time was four to five weeks behind on completing case entries, according to the complaint.
Another finding by the commission revealed that an order signed electronically by Norrick granted a parent custody of a child without notifying the other parent. This order was made without a required court hearing, the commission said, and did not comply with the requirements of the Indiana Trial Rule of Procedure.
Norrick reported that his staff erred in affixing his signature electronically to the modification order. He vacated the ruling the next day.
Another charge alleges that Norrick failed to process entries and orders for cases involving Landmark Accounts, which he represented while in private practice.
Because the court staff continued to issue numerous court orders and case entries using Norrick's signature, it left the impression that he didn't disqualify himself from cases involving Landmark and also the impression that he presided over Landmark cases where there was a conflict of interest.
Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.
