Judge Seeks Re-Election To Superior Court II
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
James Jarrette, 53, has been a judge most of his adult life.
"It's what I do," he said. "In college I studied political science and I was always interested in government, developed an appreciation for it. I was 31 years old when I became judge. It's what I am."
Jarrette was appointed judge of the Kosciusko County Court by Gov. Otis Bowen in fall 1979 to replace Loren Collier, who resigned Aug. 10, 1979.
A native Hoosier graduating from Rochester High School in 1966, Jarrette was elected to the position in 1980.
Jarrette has presided over Superior Court II since 1997. He is seeking re-election to this office on the Republican ticket. He has run unopposed since the 1984 election.
This year deputy prosecuting attorney Mark Caruso also filed his candidacy for judge of Superior Court II on the Republican ticket. He is presently assigned to Superior Court III.
Jarrette hears misdemeanors - domestic battery, underage drinking, driving while intoxicated, traffic violations, check deception and the like - troubles Jarrette describes as small bumps in the lives of people.
"We are all very fallible people. My job is to try and address those problems," he said. "Few of us make it through life without stubbing our toe."
Jarrette said it's his job to determine if the defendant did or did not break the law. If guilty, he must deal with the defendant by imposing a penalty and preventing a repeat offense. In sentencing, he must consider the victim and attempt to get restitution.
"I also have to try and consider the defendant's family," he said. "Will a jail sentence cause them to suffer? I use work release and probation."
Jarrette said he has always supported the work release center, which allows a defendant to continue to support a family.
"I also try to factor in the underlying problem. Was the defendant intoxicated at the time? Is the problem simply coming of age, increased freedom and alcohol experimentation?
"Without alcohol," Jarrette said, "we wouldn't have had to build this [Justice Building] addition."
He makes sure people attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings or take classes in anger management.
"We have a 'captive audience,'" he said. "People tend not to attend meetings when they're out of jail, although we encourage them to get counseling.
"We also have a victims' impact panel, where people have to meet with victims' families. These sorts of things turn people around."
Over the last two decades, Jarrette said, there are things he is particularly proud of.
In 1984 a booklet Jarrette compiled in 1980 was adopted by the Judicial Study Commission and distributed statewide as the official Small Claims Handbook for the state.
He said about 15 years ago a community service program was developed for non-violent offenders. Sentences include performing duties for every community in the county - street cleaning, cemetery cleanup and work at the school.
Jarrette also has spearheaded a brand-new certification program through the probation department. The program allows probation officer Lori Calmus to conduct alcohol and drug evaluations. Calmus can conduct classes or refer people to other programs.
He said when people were evaluated outside the court system, the defendants were always recommended to the outside agency's programs.
Prior to his appointment, Jarrette served as a Kosciusko County deputy prosecuting attorney. He attended Butler University in Indianapolis for four years and earned a bachelor's degree with a double major in history and political science. Jarrette attended Indiana University Law School in Indianapolis for three years, earning a doctor of jurisprudence degree.
After graduating from law school, he was employed in the Indiana State Attorney General's office for two years. Jarrette worked in the criminal justice section handling state prison civil rights complaints and assisting state police. He served as legal counsel to the Indiana Alcoholic Beverage Commission for two years and also worked as a hearing judge for the Indiana Employment Security division for two and one-half years.
Jarrette is married to Terri. They have one daughter, Anne. [[In-content Ad]]
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James Jarrette, 53, has been a judge most of his adult life.
"It's what I do," he said. "In college I studied political science and I was always interested in government, developed an appreciation for it. I was 31 years old when I became judge. It's what I am."
Jarrette was appointed judge of the Kosciusko County Court by Gov. Otis Bowen in fall 1979 to replace Loren Collier, who resigned Aug. 10, 1979.
A native Hoosier graduating from Rochester High School in 1966, Jarrette was elected to the position in 1980.
Jarrette has presided over Superior Court II since 1997. He is seeking re-election to this office on the Republican ticket. He has run unopposed since the 1984 election.
This year deputy prosecuting attorney Mark Caruso also filed his candidacy for judge of Superior Court II on the Republican ticket. He is presently assigned to Superior Court III.
Jarrette hears misdemeanors - domestic battery, underage drinking, driving while intoxicated, traffic violations, check deception and the like - troubles Jarrette describes as small bumps in the lives of people.
"We are all very fallible people. My job is to try and address those problems," he said. "Few of us make it through life without stubbing our toe."
Jarrette said it's his job to determine if the defendant did or did not break the law. If guilty, he must deal with the defendant by imposing a penalty and preventing a repeat offense. In sentencing, he must consider the victim and attempt to get restitution.
"I also have to try and consider the defendant's family," he said. "Will a jail sentence cause them to suffer? I use work release and probation."
Jarrette said he has always supported the work release center, which allows a defendant to continue to support a family.
"I also try to factor in the underlying problem. Was the defendant intoxicated at the time? Is the problem simply coming of age, increased freedom and alcohol experimentation?
"Without alcohol," Jarrette said, "we wouldn't have had to build this [Justice Building] addition."
He makes sure people attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings or take classes in anger management.
"We have a 'captive audience,'" he said. "People tend not to attend meetings when they're out of jail, although we encourage them to get counseling.
"We also have a victims' impact panel, where people have to meet with victims' families. These sorts of things turn people around."
Over the last two decades, Jarrette said, there are things he is particularly proud of.
In 1984 a booklet Jarrette compiled in 1980 was adopted by the Judicial Study Commission and distributed statewide as the official Small Claims Handbook for the state.
He said about 15 years ago a community service program was developed for non-violent offenders. Sentences include performing duties for every community in the county - street cleaning, cemetery cleanup and work at the school.
Jarrette also has spearheaded a brand-new certification program through the probation department. The program allows probation officer Lori Calmus to conduct alcohol and drug evaluations. Calmus can conduct classes or refer people to other programs.
He said when people were evaluated outside the court system, the defendants were always recommended to the outside agency's programs.
Prior to his appointment, Jarrette served as a Kosciusko County deputy prosecuting attorney. He attended Butler University in Indianapolis for four years and earned a bachelor's degree with a double major in history and political science. Jarrette attended Indiana University Law School in Indianapolis for three years, earning a doctor of jurisprudence degree.
After graduating from law school, he was employed in the Indiana State Attorney General's office for two years. Jarrette worked in the criminal justice section handling state prison civil rights complaints and assisting state police. He served as legal counsel to the Indiana Alcoholic Beverage Commission for two years and also worked as a hearing judge for the Indiana Employment Security division for two and one-half years.
Jarrette is married to Terri. They have one daughter, Anne. [[In-content Ad]]