Ind. AG may defend merit selection law in dispute

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana attorney general's office says it won't represent either side in a dispute over a Lake County judgeship, but may step in to defend the existing state law that requires the post be filled by merit selection.

The Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday halted the appointment of a new juvenile court judge for Lake County until it can resolve the dispute.

The county's Superior Court judges chose their most senior member to fill the post being vacated by Judge Mary Beth Bonaventura, who is becoming chief of the Indiana Department of Child Services.

But Bonaventura and three magistrates asked the high court to intervene, saying state law mandates merit selection.

The Supreme Court said it will appoint an interim judge to serve until a new judge is selected.