Rural Indiana has a lot going for it. Quaint small towns. Rolling crop fields. Pastures dotted by grazing livestock. Neighbors who know one another and look out for each other’s well-being. But those neighbors sometimes get into disputes and occasionally there are criminal issues to resolve. There is a dire shortage of attorneys who work in rural communities across the state. In fact, residents of some places in Indiana only need one hand to count the number of lawyers in their midst. IU McKinney’s Supporting Rural Justice Initiative is a significant step toward alleviating that shortage.
Summer 2023 marked the fifth year for the program and seven students took part. They are Jerrick Adams, who worked with Huntington County judges; Daniel Bohnet, who was assigned to work in the Rush County Public Defender’s Office; Alexa Campbell, who was assigned to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office; Emily Dartt, who worked with Washington County judges; Nathan Lundy, who was assigned to assist DeKalb County judges; Mario Reyes, who worked with White County judges; and Shelby Rice, who worked for the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office.
Jerrick Adams is a 2L from Albany, Indiana, about 75 miles northeast of Indianapolis. He grew up there on what he terms a 40-acre hobby farm, and now lives in rural Huntington County, just outside Warren. He said his mother’s family has lived in rural Delaware County for more than 60 years, his father’s family has lived in Jay County for longer than that, and his wife’s family has farmed in Randolph County for generations. “Put most simply, these places, and the people who populate them, are more than dear to me. My affection for them is marrow deep,” Adams said. “Ambitious as I am in many respects, it has never been my ambition to leave rural Indiana and make my way in ‘the city.’ Rather, if I am to make my way in the law, it will be in places like these, serving the interests of the people for whom I care so deeply.”
During his summer in the Supporting Rural Justice Initiative, Adams said he gained a fuller understanding of the unique challenges faced by courts in rural settings, as well as a solid grasp of criminal and civil trial practice and procedure. “Moreover, I've met so many wonderful people, including the judges I was placed with, the court staff, and the attorneys who practice in Huntington County and surrounding areas,” Adams said. In the photo from left are Judge Jennifer Newton, J.D. ’02; Judge Davin Smith; Adams; and Magistrate Amy Richison.
Huntington County Circuit Court Judge Davin Smith, J.D. ’03, is taking part in the program for the second time. Judge Smith is a Huntington County native. In his court, law students spend time observing in circuit, superior, and magistrate courts before being given short research projects, assigned to work with the juvenile detention alterative initiative team or the drug court team, among other tasks.
“I believe both sides benefit from connections and relationships that are made through the process,” Judge Smith said of the Rural Justice Initiative. “My hope is that some of the clerks will see the value and benefits of a small-town lifestyle and practice of law, and that they will look for those types of opportunities in the future.”
White Circuit Court Judge Jason Thompson has taken part in the program in previous summers. He grew up on a farm in Idaville in the county and knew he wanted to set up a legal practice in Monticello after completing law school. Law students who work with him as part of the program perform research and analysis on specific legal topics or questions, update local court rules and courthouse security plans, maintaining court employee policy and handbook, and review certain case types for 41(E) issues.
“I really hope this program helps our local law school students think about returning to their hometown community and serving,” Judge Thompson said. “They are seeing the need for good legal representation, as well as getting a behind the scenes look at judicial administration in rural counties.”
Source: iu.edu
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ygrek
Categories: Indiana, Education