The Indiana Court of Appeals will hear oral argument in Indiana Department of Natural Resources v. Lake George Cottagers Association on Wednesday, April 9th at 5:30 p.m. at the banquet hall Kye’s in Jeffersonville.  A panel of Judge L. Mark Bailey, Judge Melissa S. May, and Judge Cale J. Bradford will hear the case on appeal from Steuben Circuit Court.

The case centers on who owns the land beneath a dam – the State or the Association – and who is therefore responsible for maintaining the dam.  Arguing for the appellant, the State of Indiana, will be Deputy Attorney General Elizabeth Rogers.  Karl Mulvaney of Bingham McHale in Indianapolis will argue for the Lake George Cottagers Association.
 
The Court hears oral argument at venues across the state to enable Hoosiers to learn about the judicial branch.  Members of the audience may ask questions about the judicial process in Indiana following the submission of the case.   DNR v. Lake George Cottagers Association will be the Court’s third visit to Jeffersonville, and its 13th to the area, in the past eight years.  The Court has heard more than 200 oral arguments “on the road” at law schools, colleges, high schools and county courthouses since its centennial in 2000-2001. 

The Indiana Court of Appeals is the state’s second-highest court.  It reviews appeals from trial court decisions; a decision of the Indiana Court of Appeals is final unless granted further review by the Indiana Supreme Court.  The majority of appeals filed in Indiana are decided by the Court of Appeals.  

The 15 judges on the Court of Appeals issue more than 2,800 written opinions each year, sitting in three-judge panels.  For more information about the Court of Appeals, visit www.in.gov/judiciary/appeals.  For the Court’s “Appeals on Wheels” initiative, as well as additional information on Sweeney v. State, visit http://www.in.gov/judiciary/appeals/arguments.html.