To the Bench, Bar, and Public:
The Indiana Supreme Court sought public comment on the following proposed amendments to the Indiana Rules of Court.
Access to Court Records Rule 5(C)(3)
The proposed amendment to Access to Court Records Rule 5(C)(3) would clarify that the rule does not protect the personal information of criminal defendants.
Read proposed Access to Court Records Rule 5(C)(3)
Access to Court Records Rule 5(D)
The proposed amendment to Access to Court Records Rule 5(D) would make attorney email addresses confidential in the Roll of Attorneys unless the attorney authorizes to make available to the public. The proposed amendment would also move language that makes attorney residence information confidential from (D)(3) to (D)(4).
Read proposed Access to Court Records Rule 5(D)
Admission and Discipline Rule 6.2
The proposed amendment to Admission and Discipline Rule 6.2 would expand opportunities for pro bono publico representation to include service to bona fide charitable or community service organizations.
Read proposed Admission and Discipline Rule 6.2
Criminal Rule 4(D)
The proposed amendment to Criminal Rule 4(D) would decrease the trial continuance period from 90 days to 70 days. The proposed amendment would also allow the trial court to order a defendant to remain held in jail during the continuance period when the defendant is charged with an offense under IC 35-42 as a Level 3 felony, Level 2 felony, Level 1 felony, or murder.
Read proposed Criminal Rule 4(D)
Criminal Rule 4.2
The proposed amendment to Criminal Rule 4.2 would require the trial court to provide notice to the prosecuting attorney after receiving defendant’s written notice of the defendant’s location and request to initiate proceedings in the non-custodial county.
Read proposed Criminal Rule 4.2
Criminal Rule 6.1
The proposed amendment to Criminal Rule 6.1 would update language on appointments, qualifications, compensation, contract and salaried status, and related requirements for counsel in capital cases. The proposed amendment would also add requirements for counsel in post-conviction relief proceedings for capital cases.
Read proposed Criminal Rule 6.1
Evidence Rule 103(b)
The proposed amendment to Evidence Rule 103(b) would allow a party to request a definitive ruling be made on the record before trial and not require renewal of the objection at trial to preserve a claim of error for appeal.
Read proposed Evidence Rule 103(b)
Trial Rule 11 and new Trial Rule 11.1
The proposed amendment to Trial Rule 11 would update the language and move signing and verification of pleadings for parties without attorneys into proposed new Trial Rule 11.1.
Read proposed Trial Rule 11 and new Trial Rule 11.1
New Trial Rule 11.2
Proposed new Trial Rule 11.2 on abusive litigation would allow a court to impose reasonable conditions and restrictions on a litigant’s ability to commence or continue actions that are tailored to the litigant’s particular practices.
Read proposed New Trial Rule 11.2
Feedback
The Supreme Court invited public comments on these proposed amendments until Monday, November 17, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern). The comment period is now closed.
Comments submitted by other means, including those sent directly to court staff or members of the Rules Committee will not be considered.
The Supreme Court's Rules Committee records and reviews each public comment received according to Indiana Trial Rule 80(D). The committee may then adjust the language in the proposed amendment based on public comments. If the committee moves forward with a proposed amendment, a final draft of the rule is submitted to the Indiana Supreme Court with copies of all public comments received. The Court then determines whether to accept the proposed amendment, reject it, rewrite it themselves, or send it back to the Rules Committee for additional study. This process can take several months. If a rule amendment is accepted, the Court will issue an order amending the rules.