Courts taking criminal cases (state directory, October 2026):

• Circuit Court: 101 South Main Street, South Bend, IN 46601, 574-235-9551
• Superior Court (South Bend): 101 South Main Street, South Bend, IN 46601, 574-235-9893
• Superior Court (Mishawaka): 219 Lincolnway West, Mishawaka, IN 46544, 574-256-6219
• Walkerton Town Court: 301 Michigan Street, Walkerton, IN 46574, 574-586-2340

The clerk's office, 101 South Main Street, South Bend, IN 46601, 574-235-9635, files papers and takes payments.

The county has 3 courts that take criminal cases. City and town courts in this county take only misdemeanors.

1. Initial hearing: charges are read.
2. Omnibus: the deadline for motions and defenses.
3. Pretrial hearings: lawyers trade evidence.
4. Jury or bench trial: someone held at St. Joseph County Jail can ask for trial within 70 days.
5. Sentencing hearing: Level 6 sentences often stay in the county.

The Northern District of Indiana, South Bend Division, hears them. Clerk's office: 204 S. Main Street, South Bend, IN 46601 (574-246-8000). Federal defendants from St. Joseph County may be held by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Here, the County Police Warrants Division handles warrant service, while the sheriff's office runs the jail. The division posts a public warrant list and answers at 574-235-9756. Counsel can set up a planned self-surrender in South Bend or move to withdraw a warrant tied to a missed hearing. Statewide, cross-check any listing against the public county court case on MyCase. Questions about warrant orders and court dates go to the clerk at 101 South Main Street, South Bend, IN 46601 (574-235-9635).

1. Under Appellate Rule 9, the notice is due within 30 days.
2. File it with the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Tax Court at 216 State House, 200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317-232-1930).
3. The fee is $250 unless waived.
4. Judges on the Indiana Court of Appeals read the record.
5. A petition to transfer can reach the Indiana Supreme Court.

The State Public Defender handles some post-conviction cases.

Ask for a public defender at your first hearing. Public defense follows Indiana Public Defender Commission standards.

1. Open MyCase, the free state case search.
2. Enter a name or number; filter to St. Joseph County.
3. Hearings for cases appear on the docket.
4. The Clerk at 101 South Main Street, South Bend, IN 46601 can help: 574-235-9635.

Under Senate Enrolled Act 76, in effect July 1, 2026, written notice goes to the judge. It goes in the file. At 401 W. Sample Street, South Bend, IN 46601, ICE may take custody. The ICE Online Detainee Locator System then shows where.