Candidate Statement
Magistrate Chadwick Hill has dedicated his career to serving Hamilton County with integrity, fairness, and sound judgment. As the most senior magistrate in the county, with more than 27 years of legal experience, he understands the responsibility of making decisions that impact people’s lives every day. The son of a judge, Chadwick was raised with a deep respect for the law and the importance of justice. He is committed to upholding the law, treating every person with respect, and ensuring our courts remain fair and impartial.
Education
St. Louis University for Undergraduate School and University of Detroit - Mercy School of Law
Campaign Phone (public)
3178098553
Thank you for the question. As a sitting judicial officer, I am bound by ethical obligations that require me to remain impartial and to avoid commenting on matters that could be viewed as evaluating or criticizing the judicial system.
There are established procedures in place to address allegations of judicial misconduct through appropriate oversight bodies. It would not be appropriate for me, in my current role, to offer an opinion on whether those procedures are sufficient.
My responsibility is to uphold the ethical standards required of the judiciary and to perform my duties with integrity, fairness, and impartiality.
Thank you for the question. As a sitting judicial officer, I am bound by ethical obligations that require me to remain impartial and to avoid commenting on matters that involve potential changes to sentencing policy.
Sentencing guidelines are established through state law and the applicable sentencing framework. It would not be appropriate for me, in my current role, to offer views on how those guidelines should be modified.
My responsibility is to apply the law as it exists, fairly and impartially, based on the facts of each case.
One of the most significant challenges facing the judicial system in Hamilton County is keeping pace with the real-world pressures our community is experiencing—particularly the increasing complexity of cases involving families, housing, and financial stress.
What I see from the bench is that many cases are not just legal disputes, but situations where people are navigating difficult moments in their lives. The challenge for the court is to manage a growing and evolving caseload without losing sight of the individuals behind each case.
For me, that means staying focused on careful, consistent decision-making, treating people with dignity, and making sure the courtroom remains a place where the process is not only efficient, but also fair and understandable.
I think what I bring to this role is a combination of experience, temperament, and a steady approach to decision-making.
In my time on the bench, I’ve handled a wide range of cases, and I’ve learned that every case—no matter how routine it may seem—matters deeply to the people involved. I take that responsibility seriously. I prepare, I listen carefully, and I make decisions based on the law and the facts.
Just as important, I believe how people are treated in the courtroom matters. I make a conscious effort to ensure that everyone who appears before me feels heard and respected, regardless of the outcome.
At the end of the day, this role isn’t about personal views—it’s about fairness, consistency, and earning the trust of the community through the work itself.
Candidate Statement
I learned the value of hard work and service at an early age, with my first job at 12 in my family’s business. That foundation led to a lifelong commitment to public service. At 19, I joined the U.S. Army Reserve and served eight years as a military police officer. My dedication to helping others continued through volunteer work supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, victims of domestic violence, and those experiencing homelessness. I served on the board of Arc Jacksonville and provided free legal assistance to the homeless. I also provided extensive pro-bono legal services to victims of domestic violence and elderly residents. I served as an Administrative Law Judge for the State of Indiana, presiding over more than 4,000 cases. I later opened my own law practice while continuing pro bono service. As judge, I will treat every person who appears before the court with fairness, dignity, and respect.
Education
BA in Political Science and History, JD in Law
Political Office(s) Held in the Past
None
Judicial accountability is essential to maintaining public trust in the courts. Indiana has established procedures through the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications that investigate complaints and recommends discipline when ethical violations occur. This system is designed to ensure that judges are held to the highest ethical standards.
These procedures provide an important framework for accountability. Independent review, formal investigation processes, and the ability to impose discipline—from reprimands to removal—are critical tools for maintaining public confidence.
That said, public trust depends not only on having procedures in place, but also on ensuring they are transparent, accessible, and consistently applied. Members of the public must feel that concerns about judicial conduct will be taken seriously and addressed fairly.
Judges hold a position of great responsibility, and with that comes a duty to uphold the law with integrity, impartiality, and professionalism.
Sentencing guidelines are created by the legislature to promote consistency and fairness in the criminal justice system. As a judge, my role is to apply the law as written while carefully considering the facts and circumstances of each case.
The guidelines provide an important framework but also allow judges discretion to consider factors such as the seriousness of the offense, the defendant’s history, the impact on victims, and the need to protect the community. That balance between structure and discretion helps ensure just outcomes.
If changes to sentencing policy are needed, that responsibility rests with the legislature. A judge’s duty is to apply the law fairly, thoughtfully, and consistently. My focus would be ensuring that every sentence reflects both the law and the individual circumstances of the case while maintaining respect for victims, defendants, and the community.
An important issue facing the court is addressing the growing number of cases involving individuals with mental health challenges. Many people who enter the justice system are struggling with untreated or under-treated mental illness. Traditional court processes are not always the most effective way to address the underlying issues that contribute to their involvement in the system.
Specialized courts can play an important role in addressing these challenges. Our community already benefits from a drug court that focuses on treatment and accountability while reducing recidivism. A mental health court could provide similar structure and support for individuals whose legal issues are closely connected to mental health conditions.
These courts allow judges to work with treatment providers and community resources to promote stability, accountability, and better outcomes. Expanding problem-solving courts is one way the judiciary can help address underlying issues.
I learned the value of hard work and service at an early age, with my first full-time job at 12 in my family’s business. That foundation led to a lifelong commitment to public service. At 19, I joined the U.S. Army Reserve and served eight years as a military police officer.
I have dedicated much of my career to helping vulnerable members of the community. I served on the board of Arc Jacksonville and I also provided extensive pro bono legal services to the homeless, victims of domestic violence and elderly residents.
I have judicial experience having served as an Administrative Law Judge with the State of Indiana, presiding on over more than 4,000 cases in just over two years before opening my own law practice. I continue to volunteer legal services while remaining active in organizations such as the Lions Club, Girl Scouts, and GiGi’s Playhouse.
I am committed to fairness, integrity, and treating everyone who appears before the court with dignity and respect.
Candidate Statement
I’m a ninth-generation Hoosier, an attorney, a business owner, and President of the Hamilton County Bar Association. I am running for Judge of Hamilton County Superior Court 4 to serve the community where I have built my career and practiced law for many years. My experience in the courtroom, combined with the judicial temperament this office demands, has prepared me to serve fairly and effectively. I will work to ensure that every person is treated with dignity and respect and that the court operates with fairness, efficiency, and integrity.
Education
Indiana University School of Law
Occupational background
Attorney
Yes. Indiana has established procedures for addressing judicial ethics violations, and I believe they are sufficient. The system provides a structured process for filing complaints, conducting reviews, and taking action, while preserving the judicial independence essential to fair decision making.
Judges must be held accountable for genuine misconduct, but cannot face discipline simply because a litigant dislikes a ruling or a decision is politically unpopular. Our framework is designed to distinguish between true ethical violations and complaints that reflect disagreement with a ruling rather than judicial misconduct. That balance matters. Judges must be accountable, but they also have to be free to decide cases based on the law.
In recent weeks, the Indiana Supreme Court issued a lifetime ban from judicial service, demonstrating that when misconduct is severe, our system is fully capable of responding with meaningful consequences.
It would be improper for a judicial candidate to prejudge sentencing issues or make commitments that suggest cases would be decided based on personal policy preferences rather than the law and the facts of each case.
As a judge, my job would be to apply the law as written, to look at the facts in front of me, apply the law, and impose a sentence that is fair and fits each individual case.
Indiana already gives courts a solid framework through statutory ranges and advisory sentences, while still allowing judges to weigh the mitigating and aggravating circumstances to come to a just decision.
The most important issue facing the Hamilton County judicial system is keeping up with how fast our county is growing. More residents means more caseloads across civil, criminal, family, and juvenile courts, and the demand for timely justice does not slow down.
Adding two courts was a necessary and overdue step, but growth does not stop there. We also have to think beyond the courtroom, because the jail, probation, community corrections, and other support services are all part of how justice actually gets delivered. If those resources fall behind, the whole system feels it.
Courts also have to operate with common sense and treat every person who walks through the door with dignity and respect. The goal is making sure our system grows alongside this community in a way that keeps justice fair and accessible for everyone who needs it, while ensuring that Hamilton County remains the best and safest place to live.
My experience sets me apart. I began my legal career as an intern in a prosecutor’s office, have been appointed by six different Hamilton County judges to serve as a public defender, have built and operated my own law practice, and have served many times as Judge Pro Tem. I have worked one block from the Hamilton County Courthouse for my entire legal career and have handled the full range of cases that come before Superior Court 4. That experience has given me deep familiarity not only with the law, but also with the court, the attorneys, and the community it serves.
Just as important, I have the temperament this office requires: patience, fairness, common sense, and sound judgment. People deserve a judge who will listen carefully, stay steady under pressure, treat everyone with dignity and respect, and follow the law. I believe my experience and practical approach have prepared me to serve this community well.
