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Elections Simplified

Marion Superior Court (Retention) - Melanie Kendrick

Marion County, Indiana
Retention race

What does this office do?

  • Deciding trials in the county
  • Ruling on evidence and setting sentences in criminal cases
  • Deciding family, probate, and civil disputes

Affects: Public Safety and Crime Control, Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties, Housing Affordability,

Melanie Kendrick

Nonpartisan · Incumbent

Melanie Kendrick is an incumbent Marion Superior Court judge standing for retention in 2026. Recent Indiana appellate decisions identify her as the trial judge in Marion juvenile matters, and the retention committee found her suitable for another term.

Track record

Track record — Legal Competence

Legal Competence · 1 favorable

  • As the Marion County juvenile judge, allowed a gun taken in a police street stop to be used as evidence, rejecting the teen's claim that the search broke the Fourth Amendment, and found him delinquent for carrying a firearm. The Indiana Court of Appeals held the stop and search were reasonable and upheld the ruling.

    April 30, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence

    Source: public.courts.in.gov

Sources: in.gov23