The Indiana Court of Appeals will hear oral argument in James H. Helton v. State of Indiana on Tuesday, April 22nd at 10:30 a.m. at Springs Valley Jr.-Sr. High School in French Lick.  A panel of Chief Judge John G. Baker, Judge Edward W. Najam, Jr., and Judge Melissa S. May will hear the case on appeal from Elkhart Superior Court.

The Court is asked to determine whether an invalid search warrant was used to obtain evidence against Mr. Helton, and if so, whether Mr. Helton was denied the effective assistance of trial counsel when counsel did not move to suppress that evidence.  Arguing for the appellant, Mr. Helton, will be Jonathan Chenowith of the Marion County Public Defender Agency.  Deputy Attorney General Justin Roebel will argue for the State of Indiana.

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.  Although Helton v. State will be the Court’s first visit to Springs Valley Jr.-Sr. High School, it 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 Helton v. State, visit http://www.in.gov/judiciary/appeals/arguments.html.