Court of Appeals oral argument is open to public, press

INDIANAPOLIS – The Court of Appeals of Indiana will conduct oral argument in J.S. v. State on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, IN. The public is welcome to attend the event in Salter Hall, Fine Arts Center.

Chief Judge Margret G. Robb, Judge John G. Baker and Judge Patricia A. Riley will hear the case on appeal from Elkhart Circuit Court. The panelists are among the most senior members of the 15-judge Court of Appeals of Indiana.

Reporters, including student journalists, may ask the court’s permission to video or photograph the oral argument. Requests must be faxed to the Court Administrator (317-233-4627) at least 48 hours before the scheduled start of the argument. Per Indiana Supreme Court order, all cameras must be tripod mounted and cannot employ flash or strobe lighting. All recording is limited to the oral argument itself; no recording will be allowed during a short Q/A between the judges and audience that will follow the argument.

About this case: J.S. appeals his adjudication as a juvenile delinquent for criminal gang activity. The issues on appeal are:  (1) Whether there was sufficient evidence to support the juvenile court’s true finding that J.S. committed criminal gang activity; and (2) Whether the juvenile court abused its discretion by admitting testimony on gang colors and symbols and surveillance video footage into evidence.

The Court of Appeals hears oral arguments across Indiana to enable Hoosiers to observe the court in action and learn more about its indispensable role in Indiana government. This will be the court’s 354^th “Appeals on Wheels” event since the court’s 2000-2001 centennial.

For more information about the court, please visit www.courts.in.gov.

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