A letter to the editor from several local attorneys
As Howard County voters prepare to choose the next Judge of the Howard Circuit Court, we urge the community to take a close look at Rebecca Vent. She is, without question, the most qualified candidate for this critical role.
No other attorney in Howard County has handled more custody, adoption, and juvenile cases than Rebecca in the past 30 years. Her record speaks for itself. A fourth-generation Howard County resident, Rebecca has been married for 25 years, raised a blended family, and she and her husband are adoptive parents. Her 30 years of practicing law in Howard County have not simply been a career — they have been a calling rooted in service to Howard County’s children and families.
Her legal career and record of service are remarkable: 28 years as an advocate in CHINS (Child in Need of Services) Court; 25 years as a Guardian Ad Litem; 15 years as the Kokomo School Corporation Attorney; and five years on the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Board of Directors. These are not just credentials. They are decades of dedication to the very population the Howard Circuit Court exists to serve.
She is no stranger to the complexities of criminal law, as she has spent nearly 25 years serving on both sides of the fence in either the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office or the Public Defender’s Office.
To understand why Rebecca Vent is uniquely suited for this position, it is important to understand what makes the Howard Circuit Court distinct from the county’s four Superior Courts. The Howard Circuit Court is the original county court, established when Howard County was organized in 1844. It holds general jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases, and — critically — exclusive jurisdiction over all juvenile cases and adoption cases.
Circuit Court oversees two Problem Solving Courts; one for parents who have had their children removed from the home due to abuse or neglect and one for Juvenile Court. These specialty courts provide drug rehabilitation, mental health treatment, and life skills to the participants. The Circuit Court Judge also serves as chief administrator for the Howard County Office of Juvenile Services and the Robert J. Kinsey Youth Center. While Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction like the other Superior Courts, it has exclusive jurisdiction over paternities, adoptions, and juvenile cases.
For more than 30 years, the Honorable Lynn Murray has served with distinction in the Howard Circuit Court. The next judge must be prepared to step in and carry that legacy forward without missing a beat. Rebecca Vent will not face a learning curve. She has logged more hours practicing in Circuit Court than any other court over the past 30 years. She is ready to roll up her sleeves and continue this vital work from day one, with the competence, compassion, and dignity that Howard County families deserve.
Please join us in voting for Rebecca Vent for Howard Circuit Court Judge.