For Immediate Release | August 5, 2025
Discipline charges filed against Randolph County judge
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications has filed disciplinary charges against Randolph County Superior Court Judge Dale Arnett. The commission alleges Judge Arnett demonstrated an inability to perform judicial and administrative duties diligently and promptly and failed to adequately supervise his court staff. Judge Arnett is permitted (but not required) to file an answer to the charges within 20 days.
The "Notice of the Institution of Formal Proceedings and Statement of Charges" (Case No. 25S-JD-198) is public record and has been filed with the Appellate Clerk’s Office. The charges are brought by the seven-member commission, which investigates alleged ethical misconduct by judges.
The commission charges eleven counts of misconduct. In all counts, the commission alleges that Judge Arnett violated the Code of Judicial Conduct by acting in ways that did not promote public confidence in the judiciary and failing to act diligently and promptly. Judge Arnett is alleged to have failed to set hearing dates for arrested defendants resulting in those defendants remaining in jail. The commission also alleges that Judge Arnett failed to take action in certain criminal cases leading to those cases being dismissed.
Simultaneous to the filing of the charges, the commission has filed a Verified Petition for Interim Suspension, requesting that the Supreme Court issue an order suspending Judge Arnett from his judicial duties with pay while this matter is pending.
Judge Arnett is not currently hearing cases. On April 23, 2025, the Supreme Court issued an Order Appointing a Judge Pro Tempore, as Judge Arnett took a leave of absence.
The Supreme Court has final authority to determine what, if any, judicial misconduct occurred. The Court can dismiss the charges, accept or reject a disciplinary agreement between the commission and Judge Arnett, appoint a panel of judges to conduct a public hearing, impose a fine, or impose sanctions ranging from a reprimand to a suspension to a permanent ban on holding judicial office in Indiana. More information about the commission can be found on its website. Judge Arnett is represented by attorney Donald McClellan, who can be reached at outback3917@aol.com.
*CORRECTIONS: The original version of this press release noted that the petition for suspension was "without pay" but the petition is for suspension with pay. In addition, the email for attorney Donald McLellan was incorrect.
Contact
Kathryn Dolan, Chief Public Information Officer
317-234-4722
kathryn.dolan@courts.in.gov