Closed courtroom penalizes city funds

A small southern Indiana community has learned the cost of returning order to its city court.

The Bicknell City Court has been closed for two weeks.

The State Supreme Court shut down the operation when City Judge Andrew Moreland and his wife, Cindy, were accused of five counts each of theft for allegedly taking $20,000 from court funds.

City officials said the closed court is an inconvenience to local residents and money from fines and court costs are no longer staying in town.

"We need our court back as soon as possible. That's the way I feel," Bicknell Mayor Jon Flickinger said. "It's putting the hammer on us because the local people now have to go to their courts in Vincennes down there."

The court operation will be more costly when a new judge is seated.

The city will have to pay both the suspended Judge Moreland and his replacement's salary.