Welcome to the Indiana Court of Appeals' new website. We hope you will learn about our court by taking a moment to explore the site. Our goals are to better inform legal professionals and the public about the constitutional role of the court and to better provide information on what we do as officials in the judicial branch of government.

In particular, an extensive “About the Court” section provides explanations of the appellate process in Indiana, our three-judge panel system, biographies of the judges on the court, and information for lawyers and the media. We detail our approach to oral argument, including our statewide traveling oral arguments initiative to educate Hoosiers about the judicial branch. Our site now also features information about clerking for the Court of Appeals, answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and links to the Court of Appeals “in the news.”

The Indiana Court of Appeals is the court for the majority of appeals filed in the state.  In 2007, our court decided more than 2,800 cases – up from 2,500 in 2006 – and unlike many appellate courts, we issue a written opinion in each case.  As we began 2008, we reported a record number of cases appealed and, at the same time, a 100% completion rate in case resolution.  This accomplishment is made possible not just by the 14 committed professionals with whom I have the honor to serve, but also five very involved senior judges, by each of our similarly committed and professional staff members in chambers, and by the court’s small but excellent central administrative staff.

We anticipate a continued increase in caseload, surpassing 3,000 cases in calendar year 2008.  As always, we will develop strategies to meet the demand.  The effort will be made more difficult without the steady leadership of the "dean" of our court, John T. Sharpnack, who retired May 2nd after more than 17 years of service.  Judge Sharpnack served as Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals for more than nine years, and during this period the court created a motions panel to rule on motions made prior to a case being fully briefed; initiated a rotating panel system for deciding cases; and started a senior judge program for the Court of Appeals.  Case closure rates markedly improved following these innovations, due in large part to J. Sharpnack’s guidance and leadership.  We welcome his continued participation as a senior judge.

Our newest colleague, Judge Elaine Brown of Dubois County, joined us on May 5th.  A native of southern Indiana, Judge Brown brings 15 years’ of experience on the trial bench to the Court of Appeals, and we profitted from her contributions immediately.

We hope you enjoy reading through the material we provide on our website, and welcome you to return often for updates.

On behalf of my colleagues, best wishes,

John G. Baker, Chief Judge