Conflicting statistics posted over crime numbers in Vigo County

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Indiana prosecutors filed $1.6 million new court cases last year and a new study out this week shows that number is down.

But Vigo County court filings may not tell the same story.

An Indiana Supreme Court study shows Indiana criminal court case filings have decreased in the past 10 years.

But Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt said it's just the opposite in Vigo County.

The number of criminal cases filed has gone up.

The statistics also show more judges are needed in certain areas of the state.

Modesitt agrees.

He said he's filed 308 more felony cases per year in the past 5 years than the previous 5 years.

This adds on to each judge's case load. Each judge has almost more than he can handle.

But Modesitt said this is a testament to how committed law enforcement and the prosecutor's office is to serving justice.

He said a strong partnership with area law enforcement is crucial in getting his job done.

He hopes it shows they are being more aggressive in making sure violent offenders are convicted.

“I think it’s a hand-in-hand, working together, it takes a lot of effort on both sides to make sure it works,” said Modesitt.    

Modesitt thinks a strategy is key to keeping offenders off the streets.

“We’re never going to fix it. But we need to at least do it as efficiently as we can. And we need to work together,” said Modesitt.    

Modesitt hopes taking an aggressive approach to crime will help keep the county safe.

To look at the report in its entirety, head to the Indiana State Supreme Court’s website .