Sutton Seeks Third Term As Superior Court III Judge
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Judge Joe V. Sutton is running for a third term as Superior Court III judge in the Republican May 6 primary.
Sutton, 53, has served as Superior Court III judge since Jan. 1, 1997.
He said he is running for a third term to continue serving the community in a fair and balanced way.
"We are a problem-solving court, and my goal is to treat each case with respect and dignity, and I have enjoyed serving the community," Sutton said during an interview Wednesday.
While he has served as Superior Court III judge, he said he has accomplished restructuring the small claims court by assisting current Superior Court II Judge James Jarrette with developing the Kosciusko Court Alcohol and Drug program.
"The program has aimed to get education and training at a reduced cost for misdemeanor, felony and alcohol traffic offenders," Sutton said.
Sutton also assisted in developing a community-based education program for teaching offenders the dangers of methamphetamine.
He also coordinated training for and implemented an electronic protection order registry for Kosciusko County.
"My goal is to continue to operate Kosciusko County Superior III with integrity, impartiality and efficiency," Sutton said.
He said if he is re-elected, his goal is to continue to work in a fair and conscientious way to bring cases to a resolution in a timely manner.
Sutton said this month he will begin overseeing divorce and mortgage cases. He said the majority of the cases he currently deals with include small claims, felony, criminal, non-support and protection orders.
Sutton served as vice president and trust officer for Lake City Bank, Warsaw, from 1988 to 1990.
He served as deputy prosecuting attorney in Kosciusko County from 1990 to 1996, dealing with felony and misdemeanor crimes and civil infractions.
He served as chief deputy prosecuting attorney from 1996 to 1997.
He graduated from Homestead High School, Fort Wayne, in 1973.
He earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education in 1977 and a master's of arts in education degree in 1980, both from Ball State University. He earned a doctorate of jurisprudence degree from Indiana University School of Law in 1988.
Sutton is member of the Indiana Judicial Center Court Alcohol and Drug Program Advisory Committee and a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee. He also is a member of the Indiana Judges Association, American Judges Association, Kosciusko County Bar Association and Warsaw Breakfast Optimists. He is a member of St Francis Xavier Church, Pierceton.
He is married to Mary Sutton. They have three children.
