The Court of Appeals of Indiana will hear oral argument at Indiana University East at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17, in Vivian Auditorium, located in Whitewater Hall.

Judge John G. Baker

The Court of Appeals hears oral arguments across Indiana to enable Hoosiers to observe the real-world issues that face the Court and learn more about the Court’s indispensable role in Indiana government.

The oral argument is open to the media and public, though seating is limited. Once the oral argument begins further admittance by visitors to Vivian Auditorium will not be permitted. The doors will close at 11 a.m. The session will end at noon.

Traveling oral arguments, or Appeals on Wheels, help Hoosiers learn more about the judiciary’s indispensable role in Indiana government. Appeals on Wheels also provides opportunities for Court of Appeals judges to meet and talk with a broad range of citizens in relatively informal settings.

Audiences also get to observe skilled legal arguments and advocacy by some of Indiana’s best lawyers, against a backdrop of case-specific facts and statutory and constitutional law.

IU East Assistant Professor of Political Science Scott Lee said Appeals on Wheels encourages students, faculty, staff, and community members to attend.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to see first-hand how the Court of Appeals of Indiana functions. It will be an excellent learning opportunity,” Scott said.

Judge L. Mark Bailey

A panel consisting of Judge John G. Baker, Judge L. Mark Bailey and Judge Melissa S. May will hear Jeremy E. Grimes vs. State of Indiana.

According to the case synopsis, Jeremy Grimes’s vehicle was parked partially off a public road in a secluded area in the early morning when a law enforcement officer conducted a traffic stop. The officer did not observe any criminal activity or traffic infractions before initiating the stop. The officer found contraband in Grimes’s vehicle, and the State charged Grimes with multiple offenses.

Grimes moved to suppress the evidence, arguing that the officer’s seizure of the contraband violated the federal and state constitutions. The trial court denied his motion. Grimes now brings an interlocutory appeal, arguing that the officer violated Grimes’s fundamental right to be free from unreasonable seizures as guaranteed by the federal and state constitutions. The State argues that the traffic stop did not violate Grimes’s rights.

The event is sponsored by the IU East School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Media Policy for Court of Appeals of Indiana
Reporters, including student journalists, may ask the Court’s permission to record the argument with still or video cameras. Requests should be sent at least 48 hours in advance of the oral argument to Court Administrator Larry Morris at CourtOfAppeals@courts.in.gov. The following rules will apply:

Judge Melissa S. May

• All cameras must be tripod-mounted and the operators must remain in place throughout the hearing.
• Camera movement is limited to the judges and the arguing attorneys. No audience shots allowed.
• No flash, strobes, or other distracting lights or sounds are permitted.
• Video cameras and tape recorders cannot be used during the Q/A period that follows oral argument.
• Print journalists don’t have to ask the Court’s permission to cover the argument or the Q/A session.

About Appeals on Wheels
Traveling oral arguments, or Appeals on Wheels, take the court across Indiana to help Hoosiers learn more about the judiciary’s indispensable role in Indiana government. They also provide opportunities for Court of Appeals judges to meet and talk with a broad range of citizens in relatively informal settings. Appeals on Wheels typically occur at high schools, colleges, law schools and courtrooms, but they’ve also been held at conference centers, tourist sites and even retirement communities. The Court has conducted more than 500 Appeals on Wheels since its 2001 centennial, although the program predates the centennial.

For more information about the Court, please visit courts.in.gov/appeals.