Jeff Todd, Marion High School Class of 1980, has served for two decades as Grant Superior Court judge and created the first certified Reentry program in Indiana. The program is designed to reduce recidivism by connecting previously incarcerated people with treatments and resources that use evidence-based practices to help them reintegrate into the community. More than 300 people have graduated from Grant County’s Reentry program since 2009.
At Marion High School, Todd had an outstanding athletic and academic career. He competed at the state finals in basketball, golf, and tennis. Todd remains the only Marion Giant athlete to have gone to state finals in three different sports. He also earned All-NCC and All-State recognition, along with All-State Academic honors in all three sports. His senior year, Todd was the third medalist in the state golf finals, and a member of the Semi-State Champion basketball team. He also earned the Trester Award, which is presented to one player each year at the state basketball finals for outstanding mental attitude. Todd also made the Indiana All-Stars basketball team in 1980.
After graduating from Marion High School, Todd attended Ball State University, where he played on the Division 1 basketball and golf teams. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from BSU in 1986 and continued on to Indiana University School of Law, earning his Juris Doctor in 1989.
Upon returning to Marion, Todd served in various legal capacities including: Partner at Johnson, Beaman & Todd law firm, Grant County Public Defender, and Assistant City Attorney for City of Marion. He was elected Judge of Grant County Superior Court 1 in 2003.
One of Todd's most notable judgments set a federal precedent when his decision was confirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court. In Timbs v. Indiana, Judge Todd found that the permanent confiscation of the defendant’s vehicle was a violation of the excessive fines clause in the 8th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The Indiana Supreme Court overturned his ruling, but the U.S. Supreme Court subsequently agreed to hear the case and unanimously concurred with Todd’s original ruling, finding for the first time that the excessive fines clause applies to the states. This not only changed Indiana law, but also federal law.
Todd has also served as Staff Attorney and Acting Executive Secretary for the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission and is a member of the Indiana Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Bar Association Young Lawyers Committee, and as a member of the Indiana Judicial Conference Committees for Alternative Dispute Resolution, Ethics, and Problem-Solving Courts. He is a graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and of Indiana Judicial College.
In 2005, Todd was chosen for the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Silver Anniversary Team, in recognition of his accomplishments at Marion High School. He has also been inducted into the Grant County Sports Hall of Fame and the Marion Giants Athletics Hall of Fame.
Todd is a three-time winner of the Grant County Golf Amateur, and he has been the club champion at three different golf courses in Central Indiana. He was the winner of the IGA Tournament of Champions in 1986, the IGA Four Ball in 1991, and the IGA Public Links Championship in 1991.
Todd has served as Attorney for Habitat for Humanity of Grant County and has donated legal work to every community board he has served on. He has served as a mentor for Project Leadership. He helped to kick off the Beekman-Porter Fund for the Marion High School Alumni Association. He and his wife, Sheila, also a Marion High School graduate, are long-time supporters of MHSAA.