Discipline charges filed against Howard County judge

The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications has filed disciplinary charges against Howard Superior Court I Judge Matthew J. Elkin.

The commission alleges Judge Elkin demonstrated an inability to perform judicial and administrative duties competently, diligently, and promptly, and acted in a manner that did not promote public confidence in the judiciary. Judge Elkin 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-69) 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 nine counts of misconduct. In all counts, the commission alleges that Judge Elkin violated the Code of Judicial Conduct by acting in ways that did not promote public confidence in the judiciary and failed to avoid impropriety or the appearance of impropriety. Generally, the commission alleges that Judge Elkin did not treat all litigants fairly and with dignity, did not have order and decorum in proceedings before his court, and in one instance, failed to ensure that his court staff acted in a manner consistent with the judge’s obligations under the Judicial Code. The commission charges that Judge Elkin abused the prestige of his judicial office to advance the personal interests of himself and others and allowed his personal and extrajudicial activities to take precedence over the duties of judicial office.

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 Elkin, 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.

Judge Elkin is represented by attorney Jennifer Lukemeyer.