Harris Dillingham Peterson

Harris Dillingham Peterson is a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Porter County, Indiana. As a Deputy Prosecutor, Peterson has represented the State of Indiana in Felony and Misdemeanor Jury Trials, Misdemeanor and Infraction Bench Trials, and thousands of other cases resolved by way of plea agreements.  Peterson has obtained Guilty Verdicts in Jury Trials for the following offenses: Child Molesting, Rape, Domestic Battery, Intimidation; Obstruction of Justice; Failure to Register as a Sex Offender; Possession of Hypodermic Syringe or Needle, and Operating While Intoxicated. Peterson was a member of the Restoration Court team (January 2019 to July 2021), a problem solving court that helps resolve cases with non-violent individuals who have mental health and/or substance abuse issues.  Prior to becoming a deputy prosecutor in Porter County, Peterson worked as an Associate Attorney at Kopka Pinkus Dolin.

Peterson graduated from Valparaiso University School of Law. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Purdue University in West Lafayette. He grew up in Northwest Indiana, and graduated from Valparaiso High School.

While in law school, Harris clerked for the honorable Judge Diane Schneider in Lake County Superior Court, the Lake County Public Defender, the Porter County Prosecutor, and two local attorneys’ offices. He also participated in the student bar association, Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity, and an Indiana State Bar Association moot court competition.

In his free time, Harris participates in a local parks department slow pitch softball league, roots for the Cubs, and spends time with family and friends.

Admissions:
 Indiana;
 U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana;
 U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.

Education:
 Valparaiso University School of Law, J.D.;
 Purdue University, B.S.

Memberships:
 Porter County Bar Association; Porter County Inns of Court; St. Paul Knights of Columbus.

Board Positions:

City of Valparaiso, City Councilman - elected by precinct committee person caucus on April 21, 2022;

City of Valparaiso, Plan Commission Member - appointed by Mayor Matt Murphy in January 2022; 

Vice President of Board of Directors, Indiana Dunes Tourism, appointed to Board February 2021, Nominated and Elected Vice President August 2021;

Vice President, Porter County Bar Association, 2022; Secretary, Porter County Bar Association, 2021; Treasurer, Porter County Bar Association, 2020;

President, Porter County Inns of Court, 2021-2022;  Vice President, Porter County Inns of Court, 2020-2021; Secretary, Porter County Inns of Court, 2019-2020.