--- title: "Kelly S. Benjamin | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kelly-s-benjamin-judge-bartholomew-county-circuit-court-in" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Kelly S. Benjamin Bartholomew County Circuit Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Bartholomew County Circuit Court - State: Indiana - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### electronic evidence presentation Scope: statewide Indiana Rule 2.17 lets a judge authorize electronic or photographic means for evidence presentation, record perpetuation, or judicial administration. Evidence excerpt: a judge may authorize: (1) the use of electronic or photographic means for the presentation of evidence [Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17: Prohibiting Broadcasting of Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/judicial-conduct/rule2-17/current.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### photography recording Scope: statewide Indiana courtroom broadcasting, recording, digital streaming, and photography require judicial authorization under Rule 2.17. Evidence excerpt: No broadcast of a court proceeding is allowed without authorization from the judge. [Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17: Prohibiting Broadcasting of Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/judicial-conduct/rule2-17/current.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote non testimonial proceedings Scope: statewide Indiana courts may conduct non-testimonial hearings or conferences remotely on request or on the court's own order. Evidence excerpt: a court may, upon request or on its own order, conduct the hearing or conference as a remote proceeding [Indiana Administrative Rule 14: Remote Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/admin/rule14/current.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote testimonial proceedings Scope: statewide Indiana testimonial proceedings are presumptively in person unless good cause is shown or the parties agree to remote participation. Evidence excerpt: A court must conduct all testimonial proceedings in person except that a court may conduct the proceedings remotely [Indiana Administrative Rule 14: Remote Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/admin/rule14/current.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### camera request process Scope: statewide Indiana's public cameras guidance states that local judicial officers have discretion to authorize news-media cameras in non-confidential trial-court proceedings. Evidence excerpt: Judicial officers around the state have the authority to allow news media into their courtrooms [Indiana Judicial Branch: Cameras in Indiana Trial Courts](https://www.in.gov/courts/cameras/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.in.gov/dA/73fb234765/court-directory.pdf?language_id=1) - [Official roster](https://www.in.gov/dA/73fb234765/court-directory.pdf?language_id=1) - [Indiana Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.in.gov/dA/73fb234765/court-directory.pdf?language_id=1) - [Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17: Prohibiting Broadcasting of Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/judicial-conduct/rule2-17/current.htm) - [Indiana Administrative Rule 14: Remote Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/admin/rule14/current.htm) - [Indiana Judicial Branch: Cameras in Indiana Trial Courts](https://www.in.gov/courts/cameras/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kelly-s-benjamin-judge-bartholomew-county-circuit-court-in", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kelly-s-benjamin-judge-bartholomew-county-circuit-court-in", "name": "Kelly S. 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Benjamin", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kelly-s-benjamin-judge-bartholomew-county-circuit-court-in" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career ### Education ### Additional information - In 2024, she was admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court Bar, marking a significant milestone in her 32-year legal career - She has also contributed to judicial education, serving as chairperson of the Indiana Office of Court Services Judicial Education Committee from 2018 to 2023 and completing the Graduate Judicial College program in 2023 - Kelly Benjamin was elected to the Bartholomew County Circuit Court in 2017, where she presides over criminal felony, family law, civil law, and probate cases. - Benjamin has prosecuted a wide range of cases, including felonies, misdemeanors, criminal traffic, juvenile cases, domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. - handling child support and paternity cases. - Deeply involved in community initiatives. - She has also held the role of a Judge Pro Tem and as the IV-D Child Support Commissioner - She has also provided training for law enforcement and tribal probation officers on criminal justice topics, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse investigations - Born and raised in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Benjamin emphasizes values such as honesty, fairness, and community service, which have guided her professional and personal life. - She is certified under the Violence Against Women Act as a trainer for domestic violence and sexual assault issues - She has chaired the Domestic Violence Action Team for eight years, presented teen dating violence prevention programs, and participated in numerous boards and committees, including the Rotary Club, Heritage Fund Board, and Columbus Youth Hockey Board. - She co-chaired the UnCommon Cause fundraiser and has received multiple awards, such as the Community Safety Award and Outstanding Prosecutor of the Year ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17: Prohibiting Broadcasting of Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-16334af3e92d37ecdb2fa7b0) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/judicial-conduct/rule2-17/current.htm). Collected 2026-07-26. - [Indiana Administrative Rule 14: Remote Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-fc1c3983d9effb5bdfe80b9d) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/admin/rule14/current.htm). Collected 2026-07-26.