Marc Kellams

Judge, Monroe Circuit Court II (Incumbent)

Kellams received his bachelor of arts in religious studies from IU and his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the IU Maurer School of Law.

Kellams has been judge of the circuit court since 1981 and has served as an adjunct assistant professor of law at Maurer since 1983.

“Alternative sentencing and treatment options have become more limited over the last decade due to budgetary constraints. Monroe County is fortunate to have an effective Community Corrections program with many dispositional options, but other  alternatives exist that would provide more suitable options to enhance effective case dispositions.

“Treatment for mental health issues, including treatment for alcohol and drug abuse, continues to be an important aspect of rehabilitation and an effective mechanism for reducing recidivism. But even those options have become fewer and farther between.

“The criminal courts continue to strive to protect the community, while endeavoring to positively affect the attitudes and behavior of criminal defendants. We employ recognized Evidence Based Practices in our dispositions and continue to search out more effective means of sentencing offenders.

“As the judge who handles domestic violence and major sex crimes, I have learned new and more effective ways of sentencing to stem the tide of violence against women.

“Fortunately, the Domestic Violence Task Force and the Middle Way House and its programs have been very effective in assisting and supporting battered and abused women.

“But the problem remains, and the system must remain vigilant in addressing the issues attendant to this societal dilemma.”

— Claire Wiseman