INDIANAPOLIS (June 22, 2007) - Governor Mitch Daniels announced today that he has selected the Honorable Cale J. Bradford, Marion Superior Court, to the Indiana Court of Appeals for the Second District. This is Daniels' first appointment to the 15-member court.
The vacancy was created by the retirement of Judge Patrick D. Sullivan, who has served for nearly 38 years. Sullivan was first elected to the court in 1968 and is the only current member who was elected before the start of the retention selection system. Bradford's appointment is effective August 1.
"The Nominating Commission made sure I'd get this right: the three candidates they sent were highly experienced and eminently qualified. The Court of Appeals reviews many criminal trials, and it's here where Judge Bradford's deep experience really stands out," said Daniels.
The Indiana Judicial Nominated Committee provided three nominees to Daniels in May. The other nominees were the Honorable William J. Hughes, Hamilton Superior Court 3 and the Honorable Robyn L. Moberly, Marion Superior Court.
Bradford, 46, of Indianapolis, has served on the Marion Superior Court since January 1997, first in the criminal division, and since 2004, in the civil division. His colleagues elected him as presiding judge of court twice, serving from 2003 to January 2007. Among his significant achievements, Bradford played a lead role in a successful effort to end three decades of federal court oversight of Marion County's chronically overcrowded jail. He also implemented more efficient management practices for the court and helped bring important changes to the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center, including installation of surveillance and security equipment that is being installed this year.
"The best way I can demonstrate my gratitude is to do an exemplary job, and I'm going to do that for many years in this state," said Bradford. "People know that I have a lot of common sense, I'm fair, and I'm collegial. I've been doing that all of my life and I have no intention of changing those qualities."
Before joining the Marion Superior court bench, Bradford was chief trial deputy in the Marion County Prosecutor's Office in 1995 and 1996, serving as lead counsel in several high profile prosecutions and overseeing a staff of more than 100 attorneys. He also served 5 years as an Assistant United States Attorney (Southern District of Indiana), prosecuting major felony drug trafficking cases in federal court.
From 2004 to January 2007, Bradford served as the chair of the Marion County Criminal Justice Planning County, a group of elected and appointed local government leaders who participate in strategic planning of county criminal justice issues, including overcrowding, staffing, and funding. Apart from his judicial role, Bradford has been involved with the John P. Craine House, which is a residential alternative to incarceration for women with pre-school children, serving on the advisory board of directors for several years. He also is a current member of the Lawrence Youth Football League Advisory Board of Directors.
Bradford earned his undergraduate degree and his law degree from Indiana University.
A photo of Bradford may be found at this link: http://www.in.gov/gov/images/20070622_Bradford.jpg.
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