The battle between the Center Township Small Claims Court and the Township Constable’s Office is heating up.
Last week, Center Township Small Claims Court Judge Brenda Roper issued an emergency order that no longer allows Constable Denise Paul Hatch to do personal service for the Court.
Those duties have now been assigned to the eight other Township constables in Marion County,
According to the Court order, Paul-Hatch “ has failed to maintain any meaningful contact with the Court so that personal service of process and orders of the Court can be completed. In addition, the official has made statements to the general public on October 12-13, 2023, of the official’s intent and awareness of obligations to complete tasks as defined by Indiana law but has chosen not to perform the duties of office.”
In addition, Marion County is denying the Constable and her deputies radio band access so they cannot communicate with each other. Sources say it was done in part because Pau-Htach had hired a couple of felons who cannot be township constables under state law.
Paul Hatch is considering filing litigation against the Small Claims court.
Part of the issue is that the deputies are paid based on the summons they issue, and if they can’t serve process, they don’t get paid.
A copy of the order can be found here.
