JURISDICTION: The Office of the Porter County Prosecuting Attorney is established by the Indiana Constitution at Article VIII, Sec. 16, which prescribes a term of four (4) years with no term limitations. The territorial jurisdiction of the Office is the 67th Judicial Circuit, which includes all of Porter County. The Prosecuting Attorney must be a resident of Porter County, and must be licensed to practice law in the State of Indiana.

The Office of the Porter County Prosecuting Attorney is charged with the responsibility of representing the State of Indiana in all felony and misdemeanor criminal prosecutions, resulting from crimes committed within Porter County, Indiana. In addition, the Porter County Prosecuting Attorney enforces child support orders entered in divorce and paternity cases, prosecutes traffic and other infraction violations of state law, conducts juvenile adjudications and prosecutions, and provides information and assistance to the victims of crime. The Prosecutor also supervises the Prosecutor's Porter County Narcotics Unit (PCNU).

There are three office locations:

Main Office
Porter County Courthouse
16 Lincolnway, Room 546
Valparaiso, Indiana 46383
Telephone: (219) 465-3415
Fax: (219) 465-3346.
This office is responsible for all major felony cases and County Court 4 cases.

North County Complex Office
3560 Willowcreek
Portage, Indiana 46368
Telephone: (219) 759-8247
This office is responsible for all cases filed in County Courts 3 & 6 located in the North County Complex. Currently four Prosecutors plus support staff are assigned to this office.

Child Support Office
15 North Franklin, Suite 100
Valparaiso, Indiana 46383
Telephone: (219) 465-3405
Fax: (219) 465-3689
This office is responsible for child support and paternity matters.

GOALS: The primary goals of the Porter County Prosecuting Attorney are:


  1. Strong and consistent prosecution of criminals.
  2. To reduce the devastating effects of alcohol and drug abuse in our community.
  3. A commitment to provide information, assistance, and protection to crime victims, particularly children, the elderly, and others less able to protect themselves.


It is the responsibility of the Porter County Prosecuting Attorney to pursue speedy and fair prosecutions of all crimes committed within Porter County.

CRIMINAL DIVISION: Handles felony and misdemeanor prosecutions in the six Porter County courts. Includes everything from Minor Consuming to Capital Murder.

JUVENILE DIVISION: Indiana Law generally requires the crimes committed by those under the age of eighteen years be treated differently. A child under eighteen years of age who commits a crime, or who is considered a truant, a runaway, or incorrible, has committed a delinquent act and a Delinquency Petition may be field. All Delinquency Petitions are filed in the Juvenile Court located at the Juvenile Services Center. All Delinquency Petitions are supervised by Nick Snow, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney (219) 465-3415.

CHILD SUPPORT DIVISION: Responsible for the enforcement of child support orders in divorce and paternity cases. In appropriate cases, blood tests are performed and paternity actions are filed. Contact Bruce Dumas, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney at (219) 465-3405.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT: Established in 1996 as part of the Violence Against Women Act, the Domestic Violence Unit includes two Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys and a Victim Advocate whose mission is to handle all domestic violence cases filed by the Porter County Prosecuting Attorney. Contact: Ona Torres, Victim Advocate Director at (219) 465-3433.

PORTER COUNTY NARCOTICS UNIT (PCNU): The Porter County Prosecutor's Office assumed responsibility for supervision of the PCNU in 1995. The Unit includes a Porter County Prosecutor Investigator who acts as Coordinator and officers from area law enforcement agencies who specialize in the investigation and prosecution of crimes relating to controlled substances and legend drugs. Contact the Unit's Coordinator, Porter County Investigator Robert Taylor at (219) 465-3629.

VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Established in 1985, the Victim Assistance Program serves as an advocate for victims, keeping them informed on the progress of their case through the criminal justice system, assisting in the application for crime victim compensation, and acting as a liaison with other social service agencies. Contact: Ona Torres, Victim Advocate at (219) 465-3433. For Sexual Assault Victim issues contact Loretta Rohrich at (219) 465-3408.

CITIZENS COMPLAINT PROGRAM: The Prosecutor's Office receives and follows-up on criminal complaints made by the public, which are not forwarded by local law enforcement agencies. A conscious effort is made toward mediation, often involving restitution and/or counseling. Other cases are referred to a Deputy Prosecuting attorney for the filing of criminal charges. In Valparaiso and South County, contact: Stacy Shepard (219) 465-3415; in Portage and North County, contact: Terri Olson at (219) 759-8247.

CHECK DECEPTION PROGRAM: Local merchants and private individuals in receipt of checks, returned for insufficient funds or on a closed account, are provided direction and assistance for collection. In the event payment is not received after notice, the case may be referred to a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the filing of criminal charges. Contact Bonnie Smith, Check Collection Specialist at (219) 465-3415.

INFRACTION DEFERRAL PROGRAM: The Porter County Prosecutor's Office, in accordance with I.C. 34-4-32(f) has created an Infraction Deferral Program for the benefit of primarily law-abiding individuals who have been charged with a moving traffic offense. Those who are eligible and successfully complete the program will have their violation dismissed and will avoid a confiction, possible points on a driving record and insurance ramifications. For information contact Stacy Shepard at (219) 465-3415.

ADULT PRE-TRIAL DIVERSION PROGRAM: The diversion program is intended to give a "second chance" to offenders who commit a relatively minor criminal offense.

Diversion is a privilege and not a right. There is no guarantee diversion will be granted in any given case. The needs of the offender are less important than those of public safety and the rights of the victim(s).

In determining whether or not to grant diversion, the Prosecuting Attorney will consider whether the defendant demonstrates a genuine sense of remorse and is prepared to acknowledge the act(s) charged and accountability for the consequences of their actions.

If you have further questions about or need assistance with the adult diversion program, you may contact our office at (219) 465-3415.