Arrested in Jennings County? Here's Which Court You'll Go To

If you or a family member was arrested somewhere in Jennings County, North Vernon, Butlerville, Commiskey, Hayden, or Scipio, it's natural to wonder where the case actually gets handled. The answer is the same no matter which town the arrest happened in: Jennings County has one courthouse, and it's in Vernon.

One County, One Courthouse

Jennings County doesn't have a separate court in each town. Whether the arrest happened in North Vernon, Butlerville, Commiskey, Hayden, or Scipio, the case is handled at the Jennings County Courthouse, located at 24 North Pike Street in the town of Vernon.

This trips people up because North Vernon is the larger, more familiar town, and it's easy to assume that's where the courthouse is. It isn't. Vernon, the smaller, historic town just south of North Vernon, is the county seat. I've written a more detailed guide to the courthouse itself, including parking and what to expect going through security, if you want the specifics before a hearing.

Jennings County has two courts under that one roof: the Jennings Circuit Court and the Jennings Superior Court. Which one handles your case depends on the type of case, not on which town the arrest happened in.

What Happens After an Arrest

The general process is the same no matter where in the county the arrest took place:

Booking. You're taken to the Jennings County Jail for booking.

Initial hearing. You appear before a judge, generally within 24 to 48 hours, and you're formally told what you're charged with. Bail is often addressed at this point, or shortly after.

Pretrial phase. Your attorney reviews the evidence, files any necessary motions, and negotiates with the prosecutor. Many cases resolve during this stage.

Trial, if necessary. You have the right to a jury trial if the case doesn't resolve beforehand.

Sentencing. If there's a conviction, the judge determines the sentence, and your attorney can argue for reduced penalties or alternatives where they're available.

If bail is part of the picture, I've written a more detailed guide to how bail works in Jennings County. And once a case is open, you can look up its status online in about five minutes instead of calling the clerk's office.

Why This Matters No Matter Where You Live in the County

I hear from people in every corner of Jennings County who assume their case works a little differently depending on where they live. It doesn't. A traffic stop in Scipio, an arrest in Hayden, a charge filed after something that happened in Commiskey or Butlerville, all of it funnels through the same courthouse, the same two courts, and largely the same process.

What does vary a little is the drive. If you're coming from Scipio or Hayden, give yourself extra time, Highway 7 and Highway 50 can back up, and arriving late to a hearing is a genuinely bad way to start your case.

If you're new to the Jennings County court system generally, not just criminal matters, my Jennings County Court 101 guide covers the basics of what to expect when you walk in.

Frequently Asked Questions

These answers are general information, not legal advice, and do not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different. Call us about your specific situation.

My arrest happened in North Vernon. Does my case go to a North Vernon court? No. Jennings County has one courthouse, located in Vernon, not North Vernon. Cases from every town in the county are handled there.

Does it matter which town in Jennings County my case happened in? Not for which court handles it. Every criminal case in the county goes through the Jennings County Courthouse in Vernon, regardless of whether the arrest happened in North Vernon, Butlerville, Commiskey, Hayden, or Scipio.

What's the difference between Jennings Circuit Court and Jennings Superior Court? Both are located at the same courthouse, and which one handles a given case depends on the type of case, not where in the county it happened.

Where exactly is the courthouse? 24 North Pike Street, Vernon, Indiana 47282.

Questions about a Jennings County criminal matter? Call (812) 979-0107 and leave a message.

For more on what I handle, see my criminal defense page, or learn more about the areas I serve on my Jennings County attorney page.