Judge James Worton
Bartholomew Superior Court 1 Judge James Worton has announced he will seek reelection next year, seeking a third term.
Filings for next year’s primary do not begin until next January.
Worton, a former Columbus police chief, is known for developing and presiding over the local Veterans Treatment Court. The evidence-based, problem-solving court brings together local, state, and federal resources to directly serve veterans who committed nonviolent offenses due to substance use and mental health disorders.
Worton also led the development of the Volunteer Advocates for Seniors or Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) program in Bartholomew County. This is a state-funded program that trains guardians needed for indigent, incapacitated adults who otherwise may have no assistance.
Most recently, Worton has been working towards the development of a Mental Health Court, which he hopes will become operational later this summer.
A Columbus North High School and Indiana University graduate, Worton spent more than 20 years as an officer with the Columbus Police Department. After working his way up to the rank of detective, former Columbus mayor Fred Armstrong appointed Worton as police chief.
Worton graduated from the Indiana University McKinney School of Law.
In the 2012 GOP primary, Worton received 54% of the vote to defeat incumbent judge Chris Monroe and become his party’s nominee for Bartholomew Superior Court 1 judge. In November of that same year, Worton garnered 64% of the vote to defeat Joe Meek, the Superior Court 2 magistrate who ran as an independent.
Worton was unopposed during the 2018 GOP primary and general election.
Since becoming a judge, Worton completed the coursework for the Indiana Graduate Program for Judges in 2016. Two years later, he graduated from the Indiana Judicial College.
Honors and awards bestowed upon Worton include:
- 2009: Outstanding Adjunct Faculty: Ivy Tech Community College Columbus
- 2011: Mayor’s Community Service Award
- 2014: IUPUC Outstanding Alumnus Award
- 2021: Sgt. Steven P. Mennemeyer Memorial Award
In addition to his role as judge, Worton is also an adjunct faculty member at IUPUC and teaches various criminal law related courses.
