County Courts to Robe Two Magistrates 

The Hamilton County judiciary will welcome two new magistrates this month. Karen Morris and Sarah Shields will be officially robed during a joint ceremony on Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Hamilton Superior Court 4. Both begin their new roles earlier.

The newly appointed magistrates will preside over a broad range of civil matters—including adoptions, divorces, contract disputes, and tort claims—as well as certain criminal proceedings, such as initial hearings and probation violations.

Morris currently serves as Screening Team Supervisor for the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office and has been a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the county for more than 18 years. Her legal career began at the Marion County Public Defender’s Office, giving her valuable experience on both sides of the courtroom.

“I am honored to have been appointed as a magistrate judge and look forward to continuing to serve the community where I’ve made my home for many years,” says Morris. “I hope to bring my years of experience to the bench to foster a courtroom that is respectful and fair to all those who come before the court.”

Shields brings both public and private legal experience to her new role, currently serving as Staff Attorney for Hamilton Superior Courts 4, 5, 6, and 7. She has served as a Deputy Attorney General and practiced in the areas of criminal, civil, and appellate law.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve Hamilton County in this capacity,” Shields says. “The court system plays such a vital role in people’s lives, and I am committed to ensuring that each case is handled with fairness, integrity, and compassion.”

The addition of the two magistrates is part of a broader expansion of the county’s judicial system. The Indiana General Assembly approved legislation earlier this year authorizing Hamilton County to add two new magistrates effective July 1, 2025, and two new Superior Court judges to be elected in 2026 and seated in 2027. The expansion is in response to continued population growth and mounting caseloads within the county.

“These additional judicial officer positions will help ease some of the backlog in the Hamilton County courts,” says Judge Jon Brown, who presides over Hamilton Superior Court 2. “It has been great to have the support of the Hamilton County Commissioners, the Hamilton County Council, and our state legislative partners in moving our request for additional judicial resources forward.”

The robing ceremony is open to the public.