Serving Shelby County
Shelby County sits south of Indianapolis, a largely rural county with an active family law and criminal defense docket. Shelbyville, the county seat, is home to the Shelby County Courthouse and all civil, family, and criminal filings. Compared with the Indianapolis suburbs, Shelby County is a less saturated legal market — clients here benefit from attentive representation without competing against large downtown firms.
Hammond Legal regularly appears in Shelby County courts, handling the full range of criminal and civil matters. From drug charges and felony defense to divorce, custody, and expungement, we know the Shelby County court system and are prepared to help you navigate it.
Shelby County Courts
The Shelby County court system is located at the Shelby County Courthouse, 407 S Harrison St, Shelbyville, IN 46176. The courthouse houses the Shelby County Circuit Court and Superior Courts, which handle civil, criminal, and family matters. The Shelby County Clerk of Courts handles all filings and is located at the courthouse.
Communities Served in Shelby County
Shelbyville
County seat. Shelby County Courthouse location. ~45 miles from Anderson.
Morristown
North Shelby County community near Hancock County line. ~40 miles from Anderson.
Waldron
Southeast Shelby County. ~50 miles from Anderson. All filings at Shelbyville courthouse.
Manilla & Fountaintown
Northeast Shelby County communities. All matters filed at the Shelbyville courthouse.
Fairland & St. Paul
West and central Shelby County. Both file matters at the Shelbyville courthouse.
Addison
Smaller Shelby County community. All filings handled at the Shelbyville courthouse.
Where to File in Shelby County
Divorce & Family Law
Divorce, custody, child support, and paternity petitions in Shelby County are filed with the Shelby County Clerk of Courts at 407 S Harrison St, Shelbyville — whether you live in Shelbyville, Morristown, Waldron, or anywhere else in the county. Indiana requires six months of state residency and three months of Shelby County residency before filing (IC 31-15-2-6).
Protective Orders
Civil protective orders under IC 34-26-5 are filed at the Shelby County Courthouse in Shelbyville. Emergency protective orders are available at any hour through local law enforcement or the Shelby County Sheriff's Department.
Criminal Charges
Felony and misdemeanor charges in Shelby County are prosecuted by the Shelby County Prosecutor's Office and heard in the Circuit Court or Superior Court in Shelbyville. If you have been arrested anywhere in Shelby County, call Hammond Legal immediately at 317-284-9944.
Expungement
Expungement petitions under Indiana's Second Chance Law (IC 35-38-9) are filed in the Shelby County court that entered the original conviction. The Shelby County Prosecutor may object. Waiting periods are five years for misdemeanors and eight years for Level 6 felonies.
Practice Areas in Shelby County
Family Law
Divorce, custody, parenting time, support, and paternity in Shelby County courts.
Learn moreFelony Defense
Defense for Level 1–6 felony charges in Shelby County. Call immediately if arrested.
Learn moreDrug Offenses
Drug possession, dealing, and trafficking defense in Shelby County courts.
Learn moreExpungement
Record sealing under Indiana's Second Chance Law filed in Shelby County courts.
Learn moreCommon Questions — Shelby County
Where do I file for divorce in Shelby County?
Divorce petitions are filed with the Shelby County Clerk of Courts at 407 S Harrison St, Shelbyville, IN 46176 — whether you live in Shelbyville, Morristown, Waldron, or anywhere else in Shelby County. At least one spouse must have been a Shelby County resident for three months before filing (IC 31-15-2-6).
How do I get a protective order in Shelby County?
Protective orders are filed at the Shelby County Courthouse in Shelbyville. For emergencies outside court hours, contact the Shelby County Sheriff's Department or any local law enforcement agency. Emergency orders are available at any hour.
Which court handles criminal charges in Shelby County?
Criminal charges from anywhere in Shelby County are prosecuted by the Shelby County Prosecutor's Office and heard in Shelbyville. If you have been arrested in Morristown, Waldron, or elsewhere in Shelby County, call Hammond Legal at 317-284-9944 immediately.
Can a Shelby County conviction be expunged?
Many Shelby County convictions are eligible under Indiana's Second Chance Law (IC 35-38-9). The petition is filed in the same Shelby County court that entered the conviction, and the Shelby County Prosecutor may object. Contact Hammond Legal to review your eligibility.
How far is Hammond Legal from Shelby County?
Hammond Legal is in Anderson — approximately 45 miles from the Shelby County Courthouse in Shelbyville, 40 miles from Morristown, and 50 miles from Waldron. We regularly appear in Shelby County courts and are accessible to clients throughout the county.
Other Counties We Serve