Judge R. Kent Apsley formally announced today that he will seek re-election to the bench. 

Apsley was elected Judge of the Shelby Superior Court 1 in November of 2014.  Prior to being elected Judge, Apsley served four terms as Shelby County’s elected Prosecuting Attorney. 

Apsley graduated from the Indiana University School of Law (Bloomington) in 1983 and was admitted to the bar in 1984.  In addition to his sixteen years as the elected Prosecutor, Judge Apsley spent another fifteen years in the private practice of law and as a Public Defender. 

“I have an incredibly diverse caseload primarily made up of major felonies, civil litigation, family law and adoptions.  In addition, Superior Court 1 functions as Shelby County’s Juvenile Court.  No two days are ever alike. I have really enjoyed my time on the bench and think my thirty-five years as a trial attorney have been a huge benefit.  I particularly enjoy presiding over civil and criminal jury trials, although I have to say it is very different after so many years of being one of the attorneys trying the case.”

Judge Apsley is a graduate of the Indiana Judicial College.  He also completed a two-year Graduate Program for Judges.  He and his wife, Marsha, live in Shelbyville, along with their youngest son, Ethan, a high school junior.  Their oldest son, Benjamin, is an I.T. Specialist. 

The Apsleys attend St. Vincent DePaul Church. 

Prior to be elected Judge, Apsley was one of the founders of the Blue River Foundation.  He has served on the boards of directors of Girls, Inc. and Habitat for Humanity, as well as his parish council.  He remains involved in the Knights of Columbus and served as President of the Association of Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys while a prosecutor.  He was actively involved in the Shelby County Drug Free Coalition, prior to going on the bench. 

“I believe in the rule of law, in fidelity to the law and the Constitution of the United States.  I believe that the proper rule of a judge is to apply the law and to enforce the law as it written, not to create law.  Hard work, honesty and integrity mean everything to me.  I have been honored to serve as a judge for the past five years and would be gratified if the people of Shelby County would allow me to serve another term.”