Opinion
20A-MS-1124
06-08-2020
Re: ADOPTION OF the RESOLUTION OF the COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA IN MEMORY OF the LATE Michael P. BARNES
ORDER
The Court orders the foregoing Memorial Resolution spread of record upon the permanent records of this Court, and the Clerk of this Court is ordered to deliver a copy of said Memorial Resolution to West Publishing Company who is ordered to print and publish the same in the North Eastern Reporter.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of this Court transmit a copy of said Memorial Resolution, under seal of this Court, to Alberta Edwards Barnes, South Bend, Indiana, and Tim Barnes, Falls Church, Virginia, and John Barnes, Stamford, Connecticut.
ATTACHMENT
The following resolution was adopted as a memorial to the late Michael P. Barnes.
WHEREAS, the Honorable Michael P. Barnes, a resident of South Bend, Indiana, was a Judge of the Court of Appeals of Indiana; and
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret that we note the passing of Judge Barnes at age 72 on May 22, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Judge Barnes was appointed to the Court of Appeals in 2000 and assumed office on May 22, 2000, and served until his retirement on June 15, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Judge Barnes also served as a Senior Judge for the Court of Appeals from June 16, 2018 until his death; and
WHEREAS, Judge Barnes was raised in Bradford, Illinois. He earned a B.A. in history at St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa in 1970 and received his J.D. in 1973 from the University of Notre Dame Law School; and
WHEREAS, Judge Barnes practiced law from 1973-78 at the South Bend law firm of Voor, Jackson, McMichael and Allen, while also serving as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. Voters chose him in 1978 to be the St. Joseph County Prosecuting Attorney, an office he held for 20 years over five elections; and
WHEREAS, while prosecutor, Judge Barnes oversaw a staff of 65 and spearheaded development of the CASIE Center for child victims of physical and/or sexual abuse, which continues to serve the community. He also created a domestic and family violence unit in the Prosecutor's office and launched a pretrial diversion program for nonviolent misdemeanor offenders that served as a model for successful state legislation; and
WHEREAS, Judge Barnes was elected President of the National District Attorneys Association (1995-1996), Chairman of the Board, Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council (1982-1983, 1992-1993), President of the St. Joseph County Bar Association (1992-1993), National Board of Trial Advocacy (1995-1996), National Advisory Council on Violence Against Women (1997), Chairman of the Board of Regents, National College of District Attorneys (1997-1998), American Prosecutor's Research Institute (1997-1998), and various other professional and civic organizations; and
WHEREAS, Judge Barnes was a longtime supporter of the LOGAN Center's annual Nose-On campaign and in 1986 received its Joseph J. Newman Award for Committed and Outstanding Advocacy on Behalf of Developmentally Disabled Individuals. He also served on the boards of the St. Joseph County Chapter of the American Cancer Society and the Alcoholism Council of St. Joseph County; and
WHEREAS, Judge Barnes was a member of the Indiana Bar Foundation, the St. Joseph County Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association; and
WHEREAS, Judge Barnes is survived by his wife, Alberta Edwards Barnes, brother, Patrick (Terri), sister-in-law, Frances Jackovich, children, Tim (Dawn) Barnes and John (Bess) Barnes, and four grandchildren, Addison Emily, Corinne Jordan, Benjamin Patrick, and John Walter Barnes; and
WHEREAS, Judge Barnes's passing is a loss to his community, our State, his family and friends, and this Court.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Memorial Resolution for the Honorable Michael P. Barnes be adopted by the Court of Appeals of Indiana and spread of record on the Order Book of this Court.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the members of this Court extend their sympathy to the widow, sons, family and friends of this able lawyer and jurist and that a copy of the Memorial Resolution, under seal of this Court, be sent to his widow, Alberta Edwards Barnes, and his children, Tim Barnes and John Barnes.