Indiana claims more than 36,000 square miles of the Midwestern United States. The Hoosier State, whose motto reads “The Crossroads of America,” shares its borders with the states of Illinois, Kentucky and Michigan, while natural borders include Lake Michigan and the mighty Ohio River. The majority of IN consists of flat farmland; the southern section contains caves, rolling hills and numerous rivers.
State court in Indiana is generally handled by one of two major trial courts: the Circuit Courts have unlimited trial jurisdiction in every case, with the exclusion of cases with concurrent or exclusive jurisdiction belonging to other courts; the Superior Courts, which have general jurisdiction, hear all civil and criminal cases, and handle small claims where no county court systems exist.
If you have a personal injury case in Indiana, your claim will be heard in civil court. This FAQ’s section gives you information about civil lawsuits. If you are confused about the terms you hear while in court, you may find this list of common legal terms handy. Once you’ve gone through a trial, you may have the right to appeal your personal injury case to the state’s Appeals Court or the Supreme Court, both of which are in Indianapolis. Indiana’s Appeals Court is located on 115 W. Washington Street in Suite 1270, while the Indiana Supreme Court is located on 315 Indiana State House Street.
Indiana was home to 6,080,485 residents at the time of the 2000 Census and reported a nearly 4% increase to 6.3 million individuals in 2006. Evansville, Fort Wayne, Gary, Indianapolis and South Bend are among the largest urban areas in Indiana. Indianapolis, population 781,870, is the capital of the state of Indiana, the seat of Marion County, and the largest IN city.
Indianapolis features a burgeoning tourist industry with popular attractions that include the Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Garden, Indianapolis Colts games, the Indianapolis Zoo, and the Irvington Historic District.
Indiana boasts a strong economy with numerous opportunities in the sectors of manufacturing and industry. Indiana lies within the nation’s fertile Corn Belt, where its thriving agricultural industry produces corn, grapes, melons, tomatoes and soybeans. Eli Lilly and Roche operate their massive pharmaceutical companies within the state, and many other IN industries enjoy the benefits of Gary’s close proximity to the bustling Chicago Metropolitan Area. Also a Chicago suburb, Calumet remains the country’s largest steel-producing region.
Residents of Indiana have access to nearly 60 colleges and universities that include nine campuses of the Purdue School of Technology and Engineering. The prestigious University of Notre Dame, Indiana State University, and the University of Indianapolis are also located in the “Brain Bank of the Midwest.” In addition to this impressive selection of higher learning facilities, Indiana teems with cultural and recreational attractions. These include numerous casinos, golf courses and sites such as the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Lake Michigan and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which each year hosts the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.
Indiana, U.S.A. maintains its idyllic Midwestern charm, while attracting vacationing tourists to its many popular attractions. With scenic locales that range from cosmopolitan cities and college towns to quiet rural cornfields, Indiana has something for everyone.
