Summary of Evidence

A consolidated view of the primary sources documenting Marc L. Griffin’s appointment and service as Justice of the Peace in 1974. These records support the case, presented in the main article on the world’s youngest judge, that Mr. Griffin held a functionally judicial office and qualifies under the Guinness functional definition.

Primary evidence of the 1974 appointment and what each item shows.
Evidence What It Shows
Governor’s Commission, February 19, 1974 Marc Griffin was commissioned as Justice of the Peace in Indiana at age 17.
Indiana Attorney General’s Opinion Addressed age eligibility and concluded that a 17-year-old was too young to take the oath of office; the opinion was advisory.
1974 Newspaper Accounts Contemporaneous sources across the United States described him as a teenage judge or justice of the peace.
Court Ruling, August 1974 His eligibility to serve as Justice of the Peace was upheld.
Guinness World Records Certificate Guinness World Records recognized him as the Youngest Judge.

I. Guinness World Record Recognition

  • Guinness World Records Certificate
    Guinness World Records certificate.
    Guinness World Records certificate awarded to Marc L. Griffin stating he holds the record for Youngest Judge at age 17, appointed and commissioned as Justice of the Peace in Johnson County, Indiana, on February 19, 1974.
  • Guinness World Records
    Seventeen-Year-Old Judge Conducted Marriages Before He Was Old Enough to Get Married

    “One wedding stands out vividly in my memory: a couple eager to become the inaugural married pair in Indiana for 1975, with me presiding over their ceremony at the exact moment the clock struck midnight on December 31, 1974,” he said. “I arranged for access to the county courthouse, where I conducted the ceremony in its grand rotunda as the new year commenced.”

    Read full article
    By Aliciamarie Rodriguez
  • ABA Journal American Bar Association
    Indiana Lawyer Who Started His Legal Career as a 17-Year-Old Judge Gets the World Record

    “I discovered this justice of the peace thing,” Griffin recalled in an interview with the ABA Journal, “and I thought, ‘Wait a minute, we need another court and I’m qualified.’” He requested a meeting with the county’s three commissioners, and persuaded them to recommend his appointment. The state’s governor concurred and gave him his commission.

    Read full article
    By Debra Cassens Weiss
  • The Daily Journal Johnson County, Indiana
    Front-page newspaper clipping headlined “Lawyer holds Guinness record”
    Lawyer holds Guinness record — Local attorney deemed youngest judge, by Tom Lange. Front page.
  • The Indiana Lawyer
    Front-page newspaper clipping headlined “Greenwood attorney is world's youngest judge, by Jennifer Nelson”
    Greenwood attorney is world's youngest judge, by Jennifer Nelson. Front page.

II. Governor’s Appointment (February 1974)

  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Youngest JP in history of state?”
    Youngest JP in history of state? — Marc L. Griffin reviews state codebook, by Terry Anderson.
  • The Indianapolis Star
    Front-page newspaper clipping headlined “Marryin' Marc, The New J.P., Found Job Right Out Of School, by…”
    Marryin' Marc, The New J.P., Found Job Right Out Of School, by Craig Ito. Front page.
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Marryin' Marc, The New J.P”
    Marryin' Marc, The New J.P. — continued from page 1, detailing Griffin's court duties, civil and criminal jurisdiction, and plans to run in the May primary.
  • Tipton County Tribune
    Newspaper clipping headlined “JP Is Too Young To Marry”
    UPI wire story. “JP Is Too Young To Marry” — Marc T. Griffin [sic] of Greenwood, appointed Justice of the Peace for White River Township by the Johnson County commissioners, has to wait three months to marry without parental permission but expects to officiate several marriages while still 17; discusses Griffin's plans to lobby the Indiana Legislature to retain the JP court system, his income limits as township JP, and his registration for both the May primary and fall elections.
  • Judicature American Judicature Society
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Indiana Gets 17-year-old JP”
    Indiana Gets 17-year-old JP — Marc L. Griffin of Greenwood appointed Justice of the Peace, national publication of the American Judicature Society.

III. Governor’s Commission

Official commission document from Governor Otis Bowen appointing Marc L. Griffin as Justice of the Peace.

  • Governor’s Commission Official Document — February 1974
    Commission document bearing the Great Seal of Indiana and the Governor’s signature.
    Official commission from Governor Otis R. Bowen, M.D., State of Indiana, appointing Marc L. Griffin as Justice of the Peace, White River Township, Johnson County, Indiana, effective February 19, 1974 — bearing the Great Seal of Indiana and signatures of the Governor and Secretary of State.

IV. Attorney General’s Opinion (March 1974)

  • Official Opinion No. 1 Indiana Attorney General
    Official Opinion of the Attorney General of Indiana

    Addressed to Governor Otis R. Bowen in response to his request regarding the proper construction of the Indiana Constitution and the statutes governing age eligibility for public office, and their application to the appointment of a 17-year-old as Justice of the Peace. Attorney General Theodore L. Sendak concluded: “A 17-year-old person is not old enough to take the oath of office as a Justice of the Peace in Indiana.” The Attorney General’s opinion was only advisory and not legally binding. A court later held Griffin — then 18 — eligible to be a candidate for and serve in the office, rejecting the asserted 21-year minimum.

    Read full opinion
    1974 O.A.G. — IU Indianapolis ScholarWorks
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping.
    Indiana Attorney General Theodore Sendak issues opinion that a state official must be 21 years old to take an oath of office, in reference to the appointment of 17-year-old Marc Griffin as Justice of the Peace for White River Township, Johnson County.
  • The Daily Journal
    Front-page newspaper clipping headlined “JP too young? (Griffin says no; Sendak says yes)”
    “JP too young? (Griffin says no; Sendak says yes)” — by Terry Anderson, Journal Staff Writer, with photo of Marc L. Griffin holding documents, reporting on Attorney General Theodore Sendak's opinion that Griffin is too young to serve as Justice of the Peace and Griffin's determination to remain in office. Front page.
    Newspaper clipping: continuation of the article “Too young?”
    Continued from the front page. “Too young?” — Marc Griffin states he will 'test' the Attorney General's opinion if challenged in court, stresses he filed because he saw a serious need for a Justice of the Peace, and warns that if removed he will prepare for elective office by age 21.
  • The Indianapolis Star
    Front-page newspaper clipping headlined “Justice Of Peace, 17, Too Young: Sendak”
    “Justice Of Peace, 17, Too Young: Sendak” — by Robert P. Mooney, reporting Attorney General Theodore L. Sendak's opinion that the 26th Amendment does not supersede state age requirements for holding public office, in reference to Marc L. Griffin's appointment as Justice of the Peace in White River Township. Front page.
    Newspaper clipping: continuation of the article “Justice Of Peace, 17, Too Young: Sendak”
    Continued from page 1. “Justice Of Peace, 17, Too Young: Sendak” — Star photo by William A. Oates showing teenager Marc Griffin with State Senator Robert D. Garton at the Statehouse; Griffin calls the opinion merely advisory, says he will go to court to defend his position, and details his plans to open a single-room office at 9000 South Meridian Street.
  • Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI)
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Mulling Decision”
    “Mulling Decision” — Justice of the Peace Marc L. Griffin of Greenwood, Indiana, at 17 the state's youngest public official, studies the Attorney General's opinion citing him as too young to hold office; Griffin vows not to give up the post without a fight.
  • The Star Press Muncie, Indiana
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Sendak Says Youthful JP Isn’t Legal”
    “Sendak Says Youthful JP Isn’t Legal” — AP wire report that Attorney General Theodore L. Sendak advised Governor Otis R. Bowen that 17-year-old Marc L. Griffin, commissioned as White River Township Justice of the Peace, cannot legally hold office; notes Sendak's opinion is advisory and would not force Griffin from office unless challenged in court.

Wire Service Spread

Once wire services picked up the story, it spread quickly to newspapers across the United States. Editors leaned into the story with sharp headlines to draw readers in. Some headlines went so far that they verged on outright fabrication.

Below are a few examples that ran in papers nationwide:

  • Arizona Daily Star Tucson, Arizona
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Too Young As Judge?”
    “Too Young As Judge?” — Wire service coverage of the Attorney General's opinion on Marc Griffin's appointment as Justice of the Peace.
  • The Monroe News Star Monroe, Louisiana
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Justice Of Peace Ruled Too Young”
    “Justice Of Peace Ruled Too Young” — Wire service coverage of the Attorney General's opinion on Marc Griffin's appointment as Justice of the Peace.
  • The Central New Jersey Home News New Brunswick, New Jersey
    Newspaper clipping headlined “17-year-old jurist judged illegal official”
    “17-year-old jurist judged illegal official” — AP wire reprint reporting the Attorney General's opinion on Marc Griffin's appointment as Justice of the Peace.
  • Fort Worth Star Telegram Fort Worth, Texas
    Newspaper clipping headlined “His Honor Only 17 — JP: Juvenile of the Peace?”
    “His Honor Only 17 — JP: Juvenile of the Peace?” — sensationalized wire service headline about Marc Griffin's appointment as Justice of the Peace.
  • The Miami Herald Miami, Florida
    Newspaper clipping headlined “JP at 17 Is Ruled Ineligible — Says He’ll Try To Keep Office”
    “JP at 17 Is Ruled Ineligible — Says He’ll Try To Keep Office” — Wire service coverage of the Attorney General’s opinion on Marc Griffin’s appointment as Justice of the Peace.
  • The Kokomo Tribune Kokomo, Indiana
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Young justice of the peace vows to fight ruling”
    “Young justice of the peace vows to fight ruling” — Wire service coverage of Marc Griffin's determination to challenge the Attorney General's opinion on his appointment.
  • The Vincennes Sun Commercial Vincennes, Indiana
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Public Official, 17, Discovers Trouble”
    “Public Official, 17, Discovers Trouble” — Wire service coverage of the controversy surrounding Marc Griffin's appointment as Justice of the Peace.
  • The Billings Gazette Billings, Montana
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Problems for his honor”
    “Problems for his honor” — Wire service coverage of the legal controversy surrounding 17-year-old Marc Griffin's appointment as Justice of the Peace.
  • Des Moines Tribune Des Moines, Iowa
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Worried Justice”
    “Worried Justice” — Wire service coverage of the legal challenge to 17-year-old Marc Griffin's appointment as Justice of the Peace.
  • The Lowell Sun Lowell, Massachusetts
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Young justice of the peace worries about own legality”
    “Young justice of the peace worries about own legality” — Wire service coverage of Marc Griffin's uncertain legal standing as the nation's youngest Justice of the Peace.
  • The Missoulian Missoula, Montana
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Young JP Frets Over Job”
    “Young JP Frets Over Job” — Wire service coverage of Marc Griffin's concerns over the Attorney General's challenge to his appointment as Justice of the Peace.
  • The News Journal Wilmington, Delaware
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Justice blind, why not young? Indiana’s Marc L. Griffin wonders —…”
    “Justice blind, why not young? Indiana’s Marc L. Griffin wonders — 17-Year-Old J.P. Challenged, And He Has Big Worry” — wire service coverage of the legal challenge to Marc Griffin's appointment as Justice of the Peace.
  • Dayton Daily News Dayton, Ohio
    Newspaper clipping headlined “JP, 17, Worries About 1st Act”
    “JP, 17, Worries About 1st Act” — Wire service coverage of Marc Griffin's concern over the legality of his first official act as Justice of the Peace.
  • Wilkes-Barre Times Leader Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Official Act Worries Young Peace Justice”
    “Official Act Worries Young Peace Justice” — Wire service coverage of Marc Griffin's concern over the validity of his official acts as the nation's youngest Justice of the Peace.
  • Lincoln Journal Star Lincoln, Nebraska
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Young JP Worried Marriage Not Valid”
    “Young JP Worried Marriage Not Valid” — Wire service coverage of Marc Griffin's concern that a marriage he performed as Justice of the Peace may not be legally valid.
  • The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Wedding On His Conscience — Justice of Peace, 17, Fears He’s Not Legal”
    “Wedding On His Conscience — Justice of Peace, 17, Fears He’s Not Legal” — wire service coverage of Marc Griffin's concern over the legality of a marriage he performed as the nation's youngest Justice of the Peace.
  • Press and Sun Bulletin Binghamton, New York
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Justice, 17, Hopes He’s Wedded to Job”
    “Justice, 17, Hopes He’s Wedded to Job” — wire service coverage playing on Marc Griffin's performance of a marriage ceremony while his own legal standing as Justice of the Peace was in question.
  • The Capital Times Madison, Wisconsin
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Young JP Challenged — Is Marriage for Real?”
    “Young JP Challenged — Is Marriage for Real?” — Wire service coverage questioning the validity of a marriage performed by 17-year-old Marc Griffin as Justice of the Peace.
  • The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Bride Was Old Enough — His Honor Wasn’t”
    Newsmakers column “Bride Was Old Enough — His Honor Wasn’t” — wire service coverage of the irony that the bride Marc Griffin married was of legal age while the Justice of the Peace who performed the ceremony was not.

Meeting with Governor Bowen

First-Person Account

After the Attorney General’s opinion came out, I went to the Governor’s office at the State House to talk it over. The Governor was not available that day, so I set an appointment for later.

When I came back for the meeting, I told the staff who I was — the teenage judge the Governor had just appointed. Within minutes, one of them called me “Judge Griffin” and said the Governor was ready. That was the first time anyone formally used the title, and it meant a lot to me.

I told Governor Otis Bowen I was worried about the Attorney General’s opinion and what it meant for my authority. I thanked him and the county commissioners for the trust they had placed in me. I also pointed to the heavy press coverage. I did not want my position to cause political trouble for the Governor or the commissioners.

I stressed the importance of the office of Justice of the Peace and my duty to protect it. For those reasons, I offered my resignation. I made the offer out of respect for the commissioners and the Governor, and to preserve the dignity of the office.

It was no secret that Governor Bowen and Attorney General Theodore Sendak did not get along. Sendak had long been rumored to want the Governor’s seat, and he was the one who wrote the opinion. Bowen asked me whether I thought the opinion was correct. I said an opinion is not legally binding, and I believed this one was wrong. I also noted that it did not come from a court, so it did not have the force of law.

Bowen then asked if I was ready to defend my position in court. I said I was. He refused my resignation and would not let me give up the commission. He told me to go back to Johnson County and get my courtroom ready for cases.

I briefed the County Commissioners on the meeting. Then I worked with the township trustee to set up my office and courtroom.

Post-meeting press coverage:

  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Commissioners confirm decision — County attorney defends Griffin”
    “Commissioners confirm decision — County attorney defends Griffin” — County Attorney James B. Young contends Marc L. Griffin, 17, is legally entitled to hold office as Justice of the Peace; Griffin believes Sendak's opinion was an effort to block young people from political office; Commissioner McCarty praises Griffin as impressive; Griffin announces he will resume accepting cases.
  • The Indianapolis Star
    Newspaper clipping headlined “17-Year-Old Set To Open J.P. Office”
    “17-Year-Old Set To Open J.P. Office” — Marc Griffin announces he will open his office at 9000 South Meridian Street for docket listings and hold his first court sessions at 9 a.m. Saturday, approved by Johnson County commissioners and County Attorney James Young.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Griffin opened his courtroom Saturday”
    “Griffin opened his courtroom Saturday” — Marc Griffin, 17-year-old Justice of the Peace, opens his courtroom in White River Township, handles two cases on his first day, appoints Richard Meyer as special constable, and announces Saturday sessions at 9000 South Meridian Street.

V. Opponent’s Lawsuit Against the Election Board (April–May 1974)

  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Questions candidacy of 17-year-old opponent — Condit files suit against…”
    “Questions candidacy of 17-year-old opponent — Condit files suit against county election board” — by Terry Anderson, Journal Staff Writer; Robert W. Condit, GOP opponent for Justice of the Peace, sues the Johnson County Election Board for registering Marc L. Griffin as a candidate in the May primary, citing Attorney General Sendak's opinion; the precedent-setting suit challenges the right of a registered voter to seek state office before age 21.
  • The Indianapolis News
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Preprimary Battle — Candidacy Of 17-Year-Old J.P. Challenged In Suit”
    “Preprimary Battle — Candidacy Of 17-Year-Old J.P. Challenged In Suit” — Special to The News from Franklin, Indiana; Robert W. Condit, 44, files suit in Johnson Superior Court challenging Marc L. Griffin's eligibility as a political candidate for the May 7 Republican primary; Griffin believed to be the youngest appointed official in Indiana history.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Okay change of venue in suit against young JP”
    “Okay change of venue in suit against young JP” — Johnson Superior Court grants change of venue in the Condit suit against the Election Board; County Attorney James B. Young defends Griffin's eligibility, noting no age requirement is listed in state law for candidates; five surrounding counties listed as possible trial sites.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Election board case venued to Shelby county”
    “Election board case venued to Shelby county” — attorneys agree to Shelby County Circuit Court as the setting for the Condit suit; County Attorney James B. Young found no law placing an age requirement on the office; Attorney Thomas Strodtman notes the case will set a precedent for elections statewide; suit will likely not be resolved before the May primary.
  • The Indianapolis News
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Suit On JP’s Age Moved To Shelby”
    “Suit On JP’s Age Moved To Shelby” — Special to The News from Shelbyville, Indiana; attorneys agree to move venue from Johnson Circuit Court to Shelby Circuit Court in the suit over 17-year-old Marc Griffin's eligibility to seek public office; Condit cites Attorney General Sendak's opinion; Griffin is not a party to the suit.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Special Journal Report”
    Special Journal Report — 'Starke county has minimum age court case, too' — Attorney General Sendak expected to respond to a Starke County complaint challenging his opinion on minimum age requirements; the case has direct bearing on the Condit suit against the Johnson County Election Board and Marc L. Griffin; after the election Griffin soundly defeated Condit; Griffin's lawyer George W. Martz notes the case could last beyond the November election.
  • The Indianapolis News
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Postprimary Ruling In Teen JP’s Case”
    “Postprimary Ruling In Teen JP’s Case” — Special to The News from Shelbyville; no ruling expected before tomorrow's primary; Shelby Circuit Judge Robert Ellison schedules pretrial conference for June 7; photos of Griffin and Condit side by side; Griffin says he has been interested in politics since age 10 and is trying to prove to young people there is a reason to vote.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Special Journal Report from Shelbyville”
    Special Journal Report from Shelbyville — 'Court will not take action on Griffin suit until after primary' — Shelby County Circuit Court will not act on the Condit suit challenging Marc L. Griffin's candidacy until after Tuesday's primary election; Judge Robert Ellison schedules pretrial conference for June 7; County Attorney Young disagrees with Sendak opinion, noting law books only require a justice of the peace be a registered voter and township resident.

VI. Primary Election (March–May 1974)

  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Candidates file for May primary”
    “Candidates file for May primary” — Marc L. Griffin, the 17-year-old Greenwood youth recently appointed White River Township Justice of the Peace by the Johnson County Commissioners, files for renomination on the Republican ticket; Griffin lives at 4070 Sunshine Way and is serving a term expiring December 31.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Candidates”
    “Candidates” Night observed by GOP in Greenwood' — Marc Griffin, Justice of the Peace for White River Township, gives a short speech to the Greater Greenwood Republican Women's Club at the Greenwood Community House alongside other candidates for the May primary.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping: continuation of the article “Candidates”
    Continued from the front page. “Candidates” — describes the controversial race for White River Township Justice of the Peace between 17-year-old incumbent Marc Griffin, who will be 18 on May 25, and industrial executive Robert W. Condit.
  • The Daily Journal
    Front-page newspaper clipping headlined “GOP primary highlighted by White River JP race”
    “GOP primary highlighted by White River JP race” by Al Stilley — photo shows incumbent Marc L. Griffin, left, who will be 18 on May 25, and challenger Robert Condit; article details the nationally publicized two-way Republican primary for White River Township Justice of the Peace. Front page.
    Newspaper clipping: continuation of the article “GOP primary”
    Continued from the front page. “GOP primary” — reports that court proceedings on behalf of Condit will probably occur following the primary election, with the case venued into Shelby County.
  • The Indianapolis Star
    Newspaper clipping.
    Marc L. Griffin, 17, of Greenwood competes for the Republican White River Township Justice of the Peace nomination against Robert W. Condit, 44; observers note Condit is not impressing the party and Griffin is expected to win.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper ballot listing.
    “GOP primary races” — ballot listing for Johnson County Republican primary showing Marc L. Griffin as candidate for Justice of the Peace, White River Township, alongside other local and county races.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper campaign advertisement for Robert W. Condit.
    Campaign advertisement for Robert W. Condit — 'Nominate Robert W. Condit, Your Republican Candidate for White River Township Justice of the Peace — Vote for a Man with Experience'.
  • Handbill
    Campaign handbill with a portrait photo of Robert W. Condit.
    “Nominate Robert W. Condit, Your Republican Candidate for White River Township Justice of the Peace — Vote for a Man with Experience” — printed handbill with portrait photo of Condit.
  • The Daily Journal
    Front-page newspaper clipping headlined “Youthful JP wins primary”
    “Youthful JP wins primary” — 17-year-old Marc Griffin defeats Robert W. Condit 407 to 315 (56.3% to 43.6%) in the Republican primary for White River Township Justice of the Peace, winning all four precincts; Griffin calls it 'an honest vote and a clear indication the public wants me,' with the Condit lawsuit venued to Shelby County awaiting a June 7 hearing. Front page.
    Newspaper clipping: continuation of the article “Young JP”
    Continued from the front page. “Young JP” — Griffin says young people in politics would strengthen the Republican party, noting many have defected to the Democratic party feeling alienated; Democrats have not yet slated an opponent to Griffin in the November election.
  • The Indianapolis News
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Youngest in History? Just Great, 17-Year-Old J.P. Says After Victory”
    “Youngest in History? Just Great, 17-Year-Old J.P. Says After Victory” — Marc L. Griffin, believed to be the youngest appointed official in Indiana history, defeats Robert W. Condit 407–315 capturing all four White River Township precincts; Griffin calls his victory 'a real birthday present' and reports handling about 35 cases every Saturday and performing two marriages since taking office in February.

VII. Opponent’s Lawsuit Expanded (May–August 1974)

  • The Daily Journal
    Front-page newspaper clipping headlined “JP candidate seeks legal battle”
    “JP candidate seeks legal battle” by Terry Anderson — defeated opponent Robert W. Condit vows to continue his court battle against the Johnson County election board after losing to 17-year-old Marc Griffin 407–315; Condit says 'Why should I drop it? I'm totally in the right, I'll win'; suit venued to Shelby Circuit Court with pre-trial expected next. Front page.
    Newspaper clipping: continuation of the article “Battle”
    Continued from the front page. “Battle” — Griffin says his election victory is 'a clear indication that the voters think I am qualified to serve'; Condit bases his suit on Attorney General Theodore Sendak's official opinion, issued at Governor Bowen's request, that laws did not allow anyone under 21 to hold elective office; Sendak's opinion was issued five days before the election board approved Griffin's filing.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Condit claims Griffin illegal JP candidate”
    “Condit claims Griffin illegal JP candidate” — Robert W. Condit amends his suit to charge Griffin is an illegal candidate for White River Township Justice of the Peace because he is under 21; Condit requests Judge Robert Ellison of Shelby Circuit Court be removed and asks the court to appoint him as the only eligible candidate; Griffin, represented by attorney George Martz, responds 'the governor knew how old I am when he appointed me'.
  • The Indianapolis Star
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Teen Named Defendant In Suit Challenging His Right To Be J.P.”
    “Teen Named Defendant In Suit Challenging His Right To Be J.P.” — Marc L. Griffin, 17, has been named a defendant in a suit by Robert W. Condit challenging his right to be White River Township Justice of the Peace in Johnson County; Condit requests the court enjoin Griffin from continuing in office and asks for a decision on whether anyone under 21 can legally hold public office; Attorney General Sendak's opinion said a 17-year-old could not hold public office but the Johnson County Commissioners said the opinion is not binding as law.
  • The Indianapolis News
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Ruling on Age Asked — Young JP Added To Loser’s Lawsuit”
    “Ruling on Age Asked — Young JP Added To Loser’s Lawsuit” — with photos of both Griffin and Condit; Robert W. Condit amends his suit in Shelby Circuit Court to add Marc L. Griffin as a defendant, asking the court to enjoin the 17-year-old from continuing as Justice of the Peace and to appoint Condit as the 'only eligible candidate'; Griffin, who will be 18 tomorrow, calls the suit 'just some political move against me and it failed'.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Pre-trial hearing date set for JP case in Shelbyville”
    “Pre-trial hearing date set for JP case in Shelbyville” — the pre-trial hearing in Condit v. Johnson County Election Board and Marc L. Griffin has been postponed to June 27 in Shelby Circuit Court; Judge John W. Goddard named special judge after Condit asked Judge Robert Ellison be removed; Griffin described as the youngest appointed official in Indiana history.
  • The Indianapolis News
    Newspaper clipping headlined “JP Trial Parley Scheduled”
    “JP Trial Parley Scheduled” — Special Judge John W. Goddard of Decatur Circuit Court has scheduled a pretrial conference for June 27 on the suit challenging the right of an 18-year-old to serve as Justice of the Peace; case transferred from Johnson County to Shelby Circuit Court; suit filed by Robert W. Condit challenges Griffin's right to serve as White River Township JP.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “JP hearing set today”
    “JP hearing set today” — a pre-trial hearing in the suit filed by Robert W. Condit against Marc L. Griffin and the Johnson County Election Board was scheduled in Shelby County Circuit Court before Judge W. Goddard; lawyers for the election board and Griffin are both expected to file a motion to dismiss on the grounds that no case exists against the defendants.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Judge promises ruling by October 1 on suit”
    “Judge promises ruling by October 1 on suit” — Special Judge John W. Goddard promises a decision before October 1 in the suit filed by Robert W. Condit against Marc L. Griffin and the Johnson County Election Board; Condit given two weeks to answer a motion to dismiss; defense attorneys argue no case can be presented to show the defendants violated the law; Griffin defeated Condit in the May primary winning all four precincts by 56.3% to 43.6%.
  • The Indianapolis Star
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Hearing Friday On Suit Challenging Teen J.P.”
    “Hearing Friday On Suit Challenging Teen J.P.” — a hearing on motions to dismiss the suit against 18-year-old Marc L. Griffin is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday in Shelby Circuit Court; Judge George B. Davis of Hancock Circuit Court named new special judge after Judge Goddard disqualified himself; defense attorneys filed joint motions for dismissal and summary judgment, contending Griffin was legally appointed and the law does not give age as a qualification for holding office.
  • The Indianapolis News
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Older Challenger — 18-Year-Old J.P. Acts To Save Job”
    “Older Challenger — 18-Year-Old J.P. Acts To Save Job” — with photos of both Griffin and Condit; hearing on motions to dismiss Condit's suit scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday in Shelby Circuit Court before Special Judge George B. Davis of Hancock Circuit Court, named after Judge Goddard disqualified himself; attorneys for Griffin and the election board have filed joint motions for dismissal and summary judgment.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “JP hearing slated today”
    “JP hearing slated today” — the precedent-setting case of Condit v. Johnson County Election Board and Marc L. Griffin could soon reach its conclusion with a hearing on motions to dismiss at 3 p.m. in Shelby Circuit Court before Special Judge George B. Davis; the case has attracted statewide interest and may answer whether 18-year-olds can hold elected office in Indiana; defense contends the law does not give age as a qualification for holding office.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Special judge hears arguments in controversial area JP case”
    “Special judge hears arguments in controversial area JP case,” by Terry Anderson. Special Judge George B. Davis heard arguments in the Shelby County Courthouse and stated that he would rule “only on the legal basis of the case.” Both sides agreed that Griffin’s official acts were legally valid.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Ruling Expected On Candidacy Of Teen J.P. Soon”
    “Ruling Expected On Candidacy Of Teen J.P. Soon” — Special Judge George B. Davis of Hancock Circuit Court says he plans to rule on the motions to dismiss 'by midweek' after attorneys for the Johnson County Election Board and Marc L. Griffin presented their cases in Shelbyville; Robert W. Condit, 44, filed suit challenging Griffin's right to be a candidate for the November 5 election.

VIII. Court Decision on Eligibility to Serve (August 1974)

  • Kokomo Tribune
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Boy, 18, eligible to be justice of peace, court rules”
    “Boy, 18, eligible to be justice of peace, court rules” — headline announcing the court's landmark decision that 18-year-old Marc L. Griffin is legally eligible to serve as Justice of the Peace.
  • Vidette Messenger of Porter County
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Teen Okayed As Candidate”
    “Teen Okayed As Candidate” — headline reporting the court ruling that cleared 18-year-old Marc L. Griffin to remain a candidate for Justice of the Peace.
  • The Noblesville Ledger
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Candidate, 18, Ruled Eligible”
    “Candidate, 18, Ruled Eligible” — headline reporting the court decision that 18-year-old Marc L. Griffin is eligible to be a candidate for Justice of the Peace.
  • Muncie Evening Press
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Teen Ruled Eligible To Be JP Candidate”
    “Teen Ruled Eligible To Be JP Candidate” — headline reporting the court ruling that cleared Marc L. Griffin to remain on the ballot as a candidate for Justice of the Peace.
  • The Indianapolis Star
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Teen J.P. Wins Fight To Be Put On Ballot”
    “Teen J.P. Wins Fight To Be Put On Ballot” — Hancock Circuit Court Judge George B. Davis, acting as special judge, granted a summary judgment declaring Marc L. Griffin eligible to be a candidate for White River Justice of the Peace in the November election; Robert W. Condit, 44, of Greenwood had filed suit challenging Griffin's right because he is not 21.
  • The Indianapolis News
    Newspaper clipping headlined “Young JP’s Right Upheld”
    “Young JP’s Right Upheld” — Special to The News, Shelbyville, Ind.: Special Judge George Davis upheld the right of an 18-year-old Johnson County justice of the peace to be a candidate in the Nov. 5 election; Robert W. Condit, 44, of Greenwood had filed suit challenging the legality of the candidacy of Marc L. Griffin, White River Township justice of the peace, who was appointed to the post at age 17 and defeated Condit in the Republican primary; the suit was transferred to Shelbyville on a change of venue.
  • The Daily Journal
    Front-page newspaper clipping headlined “Ruling by judge favors young JP”
    “Ruling by judge favors young JP” — Special Judge George B. Davis rules that Marc L. Griffin's name will appear on the November ballot; Davis ruled 'persons 18 years old are now electors in Indiana and are eligible for the office of Justice of the Peace,' citing the 26th Amendment; the judge upheld Griffin's declaration of candidacy, voter qualification, and primary victory over Condit. Front page.
    Newspaper clipping: continuation of the article “Ruling”
    Continued from the front page. “Ruling” — Judge Davis stated 'No place in the Indiana Constitution is there any specific requirement that Justices of the Peace must be 21 years old'; the decision is described as a precedent-setting one, particularly for setting an age limit to hold office as a Justice of the Peace.

IX. General Election (September–November 1974)

  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “County election slate completed”
    “County election slate completed” — Marc L. Griffin, 4070 Sunshine Way, Greenwood, the youngest person ever appointed a Justice of the Peace in Indiana, will be opposed in the November election by Democrat Michael A. Hunter in the race for White River Township Justice of the Peace.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper ballot listing for township races.
    “Township races” — ballot listing for the November general election showing White River Twp. Justice of the Peace: Marc L. Griffin, R-Greenwood, vs. Michael A. Hunter, D-Greenwood.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping.
    Two teenagers will be on the ballot for Justice of the Peace in White River Township — Marc L. Griffin, 18-year-old Republican appointed JP in February by the Johnson County Commissioners, faces Democrat Michael A. Hunter, 19, a precinct committeeman employed with Dollco Electric Company in Indianapolis.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper listing of contested county races.
    “Candidates in Johnson county” — full list of contested races in the general election including White River JP: Marc L. Griffin-R vs. Michael A. Hunter-D, alongside races for U.S. Senator (Lugar vs. Bayh), Secretary of State, and other county and township offices.
  • The Daily Journal Republican Slate
    Newspaper listing of the Republican candidate slate.
    Republican Slate — full listing of Johnson County Republican candidates for the general election including County Council, township trustees, advisory boards, and township offices; White River Township shows Justice of Peace: Marc L. Griffin.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping.
    In the precedent-setting contest for White River Township Justice of the Peace, 18-year-old Republican incumbent Marc Griffin defeated his 19-year-old opponent Michael Hunter by a slim 22-vote margin; the victory added to Griffin's set of firsts — youngest appointed official in Indiana history, youngest to win a primary contest, and now the youngest elected official in the history of the state.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper vote-tally column.
    “Here’s total county vote” — final tally of all Johnson County races in the general election including White River Twp. Justice of the Peace showing Marc L. Griffin's victory; candidates who carried the county are indicated with asterisks.

X. The History of the White River Township J.P. Court

The Last Justice of the Peace in White River Township

First-Person Account

In high school, I spent my spare time studying Indiana law. I graduated early in January 1974, which gave me a lot of free time. During that period, I grew interested in the office of Justice of the Peace for White River Township — a role I had found in my reading.

Discovering a Forgotten Office

First-Person Account

When I asked county officials and local politicians about the job, they got the facts wrong. They said White River Township had never had a Justice of the Peace. How, they asked, could I fill a vacancy for an office that never existed?

I corrected them. The law provided for the office. It had just sat empty for 50 years. That was common in some Indiana townships going back to the early 20th century.

Historical Background

Historical Context

Old state statutes show that two Justices of the Peace were elected in White River Township every four years in the 19th century. Records and newspaper accounts show Archibald Glenn was the first — elected in the first county election in 1823, the same year Johnson County was formed. Abraham Lowe was the other. Back then, the term was five years.

Others served after them, including Matthew McCollum, John Bennett, and Daniel Dorrell. Sixty years before my appointment, the last known Justice of the Peace in the township may have been Alfred Boaz, who resigned in 1919.

Filling the Vacancy and the Office’s Final Years

First-Person Account

Newspaper accounts suggest the office sat vacant from the late 1910s until my appointment in 1974 to fill it. The term I filled ended on December 31, 1974, so I had to run for election that year to keep serving.

I was the last Justice of the Peace for White River Township. The Indiana General Assembly ended the office statewide at the end of 1975 — just one year into the four-year term I had won at the polls.

First-Person Account

In 1974, while serving as a justice of the peace, I saw an immediate surge in speeding citations filed in my court. The cause was the new federal 55-mile-per-hour maximum speed limit under the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act, which lowered the lawful speed on affected highways from 70 mph to 55 mph. Law enforcement officers told me they were glad my court had come into existence when it did: the flood of tickets the new limit produced would otherwise have poured into the county’s other courts, and no one wanted those dockets overloaded.

Press coverage from the office’s final years:

  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “New Year’s Eve wedding planned at courthouse”
    “New Year’s Eve wedding planned at courthouse” — Philip Amoruso of Chicago and Jean Motsinger of Indianapolis will be married by White River Township Justice of the Peace Marc L. Griffin at precisely midnight on the Johnson County Courthouse steps, making it the first marriage of the year.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper clipping headlined “First wedding of the year”
    “First wedding of the year” — photo shows White River Township Justice of the Peace Marc L. Griffin, far left, officiating the midnight wedding of Philip Amoruso of Chicago and Jean Motsinger of Indianapolis on the steps of the Johnson County Courthouse, making them the first wedded couple of 1975 in the county and possibly the state.
  • The Daily Journal
    Newspaper court-report column.
    “JP Court report from White River township” — list of persons recently appearing before Judge Marc L. Griffin in the White River Township Justice of the Peace Court, including speeding and moving violation cases with fines and court costs.

Criminal Jurisdiction of the Office

Indiana law in 1974 gave a Justice of the Peace two kinds of criminal jurisdiction. The first was trial jurisdiction. A Justice of the Peace could hear misdemeanor cases, decide guilt, and impose sentence. When the General Assembly reorganized the courts in 1975, the Indiana Supreme Court described the office in exactly those terms: justices of the peace “handled small civil claims and exercised misdemeanor criminal jurisdiction.” In re Public Law No. 305 and Public Law No. 309, 263 Ind. 506 (1975).

The second was examining jurisdiction, and it reached every criminal offense — up to and including murder. On a sworn complaint, a Justice of the Peace could issue an arrest warrant against any person charged “with the commission of any felony or misdemeanor.” Acts 1905, ch. 169, § 62. In felony cases, the Justice sat as an examining and committing magistrate. He heard the evidence at a preliminary hearing. He could discharge the accused, admit him to bail, or commit him to jail when the offense was not bailable — the rule in murder cases. If the evidence supported the charge, the accused was bound over “to appear at the next term of the criminal court.” Burns Ind. Stat. § 9-711. The Indiana Supreme Court applied that rule in a first-degree murder case, holding that a court exercising justice-of-the-peace powers “has the power and jurisdiction to serve as a committing magistrate” on a felony charge. State ex rel. Imel v. Municipal Court, 225 Ind. 23 (1947).

The line between the two was firm. The Justice had “no jurisdiction to either acquit or convict a defendant charged with a felony, his only authority in such a case being that of an examining court to hear and discharge, or commit and bind over, the defendant.” State ex rel. Hale v. Marion County Municipal Court, 234 Ind. 467 (1955), quoting Siebert v. State, 95 Ind. 471 (1884). The office tried minor offenses to judgment. In the greater cases — murder included — it had the authority to sit as the examining court: the judicial officer before whom a charge could first be heard, tested, and either dismissed or sent on for trial.

The office also carried an arrest power of its own. The statute in force, later codified as Indiana Code § 35-1-21-1 before its 1978 repeal, authorized the arrest and detention of any person “found violating any law of this state, until a legal warrant can be obtained,” and a companion provision, IC § 35-1-5-13, reached a breach of the peace committed in the justice’s presence. The Indiana Supreme Court applied those provisions to the office directly, holding that a justice of the peace was authorized under both statutes to “stop, arrest and detain” a person for “violating a law or disturbing the peace.” Cato v. Mayes, 270 Ind. 653 (1979); see Williams v. State, 264 Ind. 664 (1976); Dubreuil v. Pinnick, 178 Ind. App. 526 (1978).

And the office issued judicial process. The statute in force granted the power in its opening words: “Justices of the peace … or the judge of any court of record, may issue warrants upon probable cause.” IC 1971, 35-1-6-1, quoted in McAllister v. State, 159 Ind. App. 340 (1974) — a decision handed down on February 7, 1974, twelve days before the appointment this page documents. A companion provision required a sworn affidavit before any warrant for search or arrest could issue, again naming the justice of the peace first among the officers who could receive it. IC 1971, 35-1-6-2 (Burns § 9-602), quoted in Foxall v. State, 157 Ind. App. 19 (1973). A justice of the peace could issue both arrest warrants and search warrants on a proper affidavit.

First-Person Account

These were the powers of the office I held at seventeen. I tried the minor cases to judgment, and in the gravest ones my duty was to weigh the evidence and decide whether the case went forward.

Artifacts of Office

Justices of the Peace had the power to personally arrest or detain a person found violating Indiana law until a legal warrant could be obtained.

Business card and Justice of the Peace badge.
Artifacts from the White River Township Justice of the Peace Court: Marc L. Griffin's official business card reading 'Marc L. Griffin, Justice of the Peace, White River Township, State Road 37, Pleasant Center, Greenwood, Indiana 46142, Phone (317) 888-7700' alongside his Johnson County Justice of the Peace badge bearing the seal of the State of Indiana.

The law required a certificate like this to be attached to an affidavit made before me. The certificate was needed when the affidavit was sent out of my court to another court or public office.

Court certificate with the seal of the Johnson Circuit Court and the clerk’s signature.
Certificate of Justice of the Peace, State of Indiana, County of Johnson: Frances Melton, Clerk of the Johnson Circuit Court, certifies that Marc L. Griffin is a duly commissioned, qualified, and acting Justice of the Peace for the Township of White River, County of Johnson; term expires 31 December 1978; signed and sealed at Franklin, Indiana, 15 April 1975.

1908 criminal case tried to a jury in the White River Township J.P. Court.

Newspaper clipping headlined “Jurymen Failed to Agree”
“Jurymen Failed to Agree” — Franklin, Indiana, April 28: the jurymen failed to agree in the case of M. J. Fleming, principal of the Greenwood high school, charged with whipping Dale Perry, the fourteen-year-old son of Robert Perry, with unnecessary severity; the case was tried before a Justice of the Peace in White River Township on a change of venue; jury stood nine for acquittal and three for conviction and were discharged.

XI. Epilogue

  • Judge Marc L. Griffin — That early public service shaped the rest of his life. After college and law school, he built a successful legal career and opened his practice in Greenwood, Indiana — just down the road from the courtroom where he had once served. Over time, his views shifted and he became a Democrat. Outside the law, he developed a lifelong passion for genealogy. His research turned up many direct ancestors who had served as Justices of the Peace in southern Indiana in the early 1800s — a long family tradition of civic duty.
  • Governor Otis Bowen — Bowen was re-elected for a second term in 1976, making him the first governor to serve for eight consecutive years in Indiana since 1851. His campaign slogan, featured in huge letters on billboards, was “Otis Bowen. He Hears You.” In 1985, he was appointed by President Reagan as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
  • Attorney General Ted Sendak — Sendak was re-elected in 1976 and served until 1981.
  • James B. Young — The Johnson County attorney was appointed the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana in 1975. He was later appointed by Governor Bowen to the Indiana Court of Appeals in 1978 and retained by the electorate in 1980.
  • Candidate Robert W. Condit — Condit sought public office several times over two decades: Perry Township Trustee in Marion County in 1966, city council in Beech Grove in 1967, White River Township Justice of the Peace in 1974, precinct committeeman in White River Township in 1976, and a Johnson County council seat in 1980. He did not win any of those races.
  • Candidate Michael A. Hunter — Hunter was a teenager too: a 19-year-old Democratic precinct committeeman who worked for an Indianapolis electrical company. When Griffin called Hunter after the election, Hunter said that party workers had recruited him to run so the Democratic line on the ballot would not sit empty — a common practice in both parties, meant to keep any office from going to the other side by default. Hunter said he did not know what he would have done if he had won.
  • Dale Perry — High school student Dale Perry, who was the subject of a jury trial held in 1908 in the White River Township J.P. Court, went on to become a lawyer. It is not known if his court case inspired him to pursue a career as a lawyer.