On Monday, July 21, 2025, WSBT 22 reported that St. Joseph County’s newly elected Probate Court Judge has announced a review of over 800 cases due to misconduct involving former Magistrate Aric Rutkowski. Rutkowski was found to have been in a personal relationship with a deputy prosecutor who appeared in his courtroom in connection with more than 850 cases.
In a letter sent to the individuals involved, the court informed them that Rutkowski’s actions constituted a violation of the Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct, potentially affecting their rights. The letter encouraged those impacted to seek further review of their cases, ideally with legal counsel.
The review pertains to cases dated between June 2021 and December 2022, marking a significant timeframe for scrutiny. Andrea Halpin, Chief Compliance Officer for the St. Joseph County Probate Court, stated that the court’s technical staff identified the relevant cases based on the deputy prosecutor’s appearances before Rutkowski.
Rutkowski self-reported the misconduct to the Indiana Judicial Commission and resigned from his position on May 29, 2025, after acknowledging the inappropriate relationship. Court officials were reportedly unaware of the relationship until Rutkowski submitted his resignation.
Halpin noted that the purpose of the delay in public disclosure was to coordinate with the Indiana Supreme Court on the necessary steps to assist those affected. The cases under review primarily involve child support and paternity issues.
While Rutkowski has reached an agreement with the Indiana Supreme Court, details of this agreement have not been disclosed. Halpin emphasized that the misconduct stemmed from Rutkowski’s relationship with a prosecutor who actively worked on cases in his courtroom, raising serious ethical concerns.
Source: WSBT 22
