The Indiana Court of Appeals will hear oral argument in Brian Montgomery v. State of Indiana on Thursday, March 26th at 10 a.m. in room Dede II in the Hulman Memorial Student Union Building at Indiana State University.  A panel of Judge Patricia A. Riley, Judge James S. Kirsch, and Judge Margret G. Robb will hear the case on appeal from Marion County Superior Court.

This case involves Brian Montgomery’s conviction of dealing in cocaine, a Class A felony. The issue on appeal is whether the trial court erred in admitting evidence obtained by police during a warrantless search of his hotel room. Montgomery claims there was neither valid consent to the search nor exigent circumstances justifying the entry. Arguing for the appellant, Brian Montgomery, will be Stephen Gray, and arguing for the appellee, State of Indiana, will be Tiffany N. Romine.

The Court hears oral argument at venues across the state to enable Hoosiers to learn about the judicial branch, and members of the audience are invited to ask questions following the submission of the case about the judicial process in Indiana.   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” initiatives, as well as additional information on Brian Montgomery v. State of Indiana, visit http://www.in.gov/judiciary/appeals/arguments.html.