Indiana University-East recently issued the following announcement.
The Court of Appeals of Indiana will hear oral argument at Indiana University East at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 24, in Vivian Auditorium, located in Whitewater Hall.
The Court of Appeals is the second-highest court in Indiana. The Court hears oral arguments across the state to enable Hoosiers to observe the real-world issues that face the court and learn more about the court’s indispensable role in Indiana government.
The oral argument is open to the media and public, though seating is limited. Once the oral argument begins further admittance by visitors to Vivian Auditorium will not be permitted. The doors will close at 10:30 a.m. The session will end at 11:30 a.m.
Traveling oral arguments, or Appeals on Wheels, take the court across Indiana to help Hoosiers learn more about the judiciary’s indispensable role in Indiana government. They also provide opportunities for Court of Appeals judges to meet and talk with a broad range of citizens in relatively informal settings.
Audiences get to observe skilled legal arguments and advocacy by some of Indiana’s best lawyers, against a backdrop of case-specific facts and statutory and constitutional law.
Scott Lee, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Political Science and assistant professor of political science at IU East, is coordinating the event with the Court of Appeals.
Lee said hosting the Court of Appeals on campus is a wonderful opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and the community to participate in a judicial branch function.
“Vivian Auditorium becomes, in essence, the courtroom. Not only do we get to see top-notch attorneys advocate for their clients, but we also see how the court operates in real time. The judges normally answer questions after the end of the session and that gives all of us the chance to ask questions directly to the court,” Lee said.
Students wishing to eat lunch with the judges after the court session should contact Lee at scottlee@iue.edu to reserve a seat.
The event is sponsored by the IU East School of Humanities and Social Sciences and IU East’s chapter of the American Democracy Project.
Court of Appeals Panel and Case Information
A panel consisting of Judge Patricia A. Riley, Judge Melissa S. May and Judge Leanna K. Weissmann will hear the case Donald Johnson v. State of Indiana, 21A-CR-1234.
Donald Johnson appeals the denial of his motion to dismiss 10 of the 17 Class C felony securities-related charges against him. Johnson argues the trial court abused its discretion when it did not dismiss these 10 counts because all relevant charges were filed outside the statute of limitations for the crimes alleged. Additionally, he argues dismissal is warranted because the State did not allege the “knowingly” element of the crimes in its charging information and the charging information are otherwise deficient because they fail to state the relevant offenses with sufficient certainty for Johnson to provide a defense. Finally, Johnson contends the trial court abused its discretion when it denied his motion to dismiss because none of the instruments in question were securities for the purposes of the Indiana Uniform Securities Act.
Media Policy for Court of Appeals of Indiana
Reporters, including student journalists, may ask the Court’s permission to record the argument with still or video cameras. Requests should be sent at least 48 hours in advance of the oral argument to Court Administrator Larry Morris at CourtOfAppeals@courts.in.gov.
The following rules will apply:
- All cameras must be tripod-mounted and the operators must remain in place throughout the hearing.
- Camera movement is limited to the judges and the arguing attorneys. No audience shots allowed.
- No flash, strobes, or other distracting lights or sounds are permitted.
- Video cameras and tape recorders cannot be used during the Q/A period that follows oral argument.
- Print journalists don’t have to ask the Court’s permission to cover the argument or the Q/A session.
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