--- title: "Matthew A. Sheehan | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-a-sheehan-judge-vigo-county-superior-court-5-in" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Matthew A. Sheehan Vigo County Superior Court #5 · Judge ## Profile - Court: Vigo County Superior Court #5 - 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/matthew-a-sheehan-judge-vigo-county-superior-court-5-in", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-a-sheehan-judge-vigo-county-superior-court-5-in", "name": "Matthew A. 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Wheeler Jr. - Prior to his election, Sheehan held the role of a judge for the Terre Haute City Court from 2018 to 2020 and worked in private practice, including as a partner at Abel Sheehan Reed. - Matthew Anthony Sheehan serves as a judge for Vigo County Superior Court, Division 5 ### Education - Bachelor’s degree in marketing from Indiana State University in 2006 and a J.D. from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 2010. ### Additional information - On September 14, 2026, the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications issued a public admonition against Judge Sheehan. - The admonition stemmed from an unreasonable delay in issuing a final ruling in a dissolution case he presided over as a special judge in July 2022. - Elected to the bench on November 3, 2020, filling a vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Michael Rader. - Sheehan has also held the role of a deputy prosecutor, public defender, and trial attorney, giving him experience on multiple sides of the courtroom - His career emphasizes fairness, efficiency, and public service, with a focus on problem-solving courts and community-based treatment programs - He acknowledged the delays, complied with subsequent orders, and purged himself of the contempt finding. - As the presiding judge of Vigo County Superior Court Division 5, Sheehan oversees major felony, misdemeanor, and civil cases, including family law matters such as dissolution of marriage, child support, and custody disputes. ## 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.