Worton (R)
Educational Background: Graduate, Columbus North High School, Graduate, Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Bachelor’s Degree, Indiana University; Doctor of Jurisprudence, Indiana University McKinney School of Law; Indiana Graduate Program for Judges, 2016; Indiana Judicial College graduate 2018
Background: James “Jim” Worton is a life-long Bartholomew County resident and was elected as
Judge of Superior Court I in the 2012 election, taking office January 1, 2013. Prior to being elected, Judge Worton was a managing partner at the Columbus law firm of Worton & Rohde. In addition to his legal background, Judge Worton served on the Columbus Police Department, retiring after 20 years of service. Judge Worton is also an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at IUPUC, and previously at Ivy Tech Community College, where he teaches various courses in the Criminal Justice programs. Judge Worton also served on the Judicial Conference of Indiana's Board of Directors and currently serves on the Judicial Administration Committee. Judge Worton also developed and presides over the Bartholomew County Veterans Treatment Court and is currently developing a new Mental Health court for Bartholomew County. Community Activities: Member, American Judges Association, Member, Indiana Judges Association, Member and Past Vice-President, Bartholomew County Bar Association, Member, Indiana Bar Association , Bartholomew County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee, Fraternal Order of Police, previous Member, Loyal Order of the Moose, previous Member, Fraternal Order of Eagles, previous Member of Columbus Rotary Club, Vice-Chair, Bartholomew County Courthouse Security Committee, Member, previously State Judicial Courthouse Security Committee, Member, Bartholomew County Evidence Based Decision Making Team, Past Member, Bartholomew County Domestic Violence Action Team, Past member, Bartholomew County Substance Abuse Council, Past Member, Indianapolis Bar Association, Past Member, American Bar Association, Past Member, Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, Member, Columbus Free Methodist Church. Judge Worton also previously served Hoosiers as the Chief JAG Officer in the Indiana Guard Reserve. Awards:
2009: Outstanding Adjunct Faculty: Ivy Tech community College Columbus
2011: Mayor’s Community Service Award
2014: IUPUC Outstanding Alumnus Award
2021: recipient of the Sgt Steven P Mennemeyer Memorial Award for veterans in Indiana’s criminal justice system.
