Governor Holcomb appoints Rushville native to Marion County Superior Courts

Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 8:40 AM

By Staff report

Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced James K. Snyder and Tara Y. Melton have been appointed to the Marion County Superior Courts.

Snyder was born and raised in Rushville. He has served as a Magistrate Judge, Criminal Division, in the Marion Co. Superior Court since 2015, primarily handling major felony criminal cases. Immediately prior to being appointed a magistrate judge, Snyder served in the Marion County Public Defenders Office for 8 years and spent a year in private practice. Snyder has resided in Marion County since graduating from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2006. He received his undergraduate degree from Franklin College in 2003.

Tara Melton has served as a Magistrate Judge, Family Relations Division, since 2021. Prior to being appointed a magistrate judge, Melton served as the Director of Mediation for Child Advocates, Inc. She also served in the Marion Co. Public Defenders Office for 6 years and maintained a private practice prior to joining the public defenders office. A transplant from Florida, Melton has resided in Marion County since 2006. While practicing in Florida, Melton handled a wide variety of family law cases. Melton received her Juris Doctorate from Florida State University College of Law in 1994 and her undergraduate degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1991.

Snyder and Melton will succeed Judges John Hanley and Mark Stoner who are retiring at the end of the year.

Snyder and Melton will be sworn in as Judges on dates to be determined.