Fifth District
Paul A. Felix was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Governor Holcomb and began his service on July 28, 2023.
Judge Felix was born in Elkhart. He was raised in Greenwood and attended Whiteland schools. He earned a B.A. in Political Science from Indiana University and received his J.D. from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law.
Following graduation, Judge Felix served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office from 1995 to 2006. During his prosecuting career, he created the county’s first Domestic Violence Unit, and led the prosecution of DV cases for three years. Afterwards, he focused on prosecuting major felony crimes when multiple Defendants were involved.
In 2007, Judge Felix was appointed to the Carmel City Court by Governor Mitch Daniels. In 2009, he was elected to serve as the Hamilton Circuit Court Judge, where he served for 14 years. In this role, he helped create the Youth Assistance Program, and participated in the multi-jurisdictional pro bono district. Judge Felix is particularly proud of the Youth Assistance Program as it is one of the State’s only judicial programs that focuses on the prevention of crime by providing youth with mentors, tutors, and wrap-around services. He led the county’s Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative which focuses on changing the juvenile delinquency system into an evidence-based, child-focused, result-oriented system. Additionally, he presided over the county’s Drug Court which focuses on helping those seriously addicted to drugs and alcohol begin their recovery and sobriety.
Judge Felix served as a board member for the Hamilton County Communication Corrections and serves as an interviewer for the State Board of Law Examiners Committee on Character and Fitness. He frequently presents at judicial conferences on the topics of contempt, ethics, and the Indiana Trial Rules. He was a member of the Indiana Supreme Court Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure.
Judge Felix is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, served as Secretary of the Hamilton County Bar Association, and is a Bencher Member of the Sagamore American Inn of Court. He enjoys giving back to the Hamilton County community and is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Noblesville, a member of the board of managers for the YMCA of Fishers, and co-chair of the Alumni Network for the Boy Scouts of America.
He resides in Hamilton County with his wife and three children, and enjoys playing euchre, backgammon, and making beer, mead, and kombucha.