The Indiana Court of Appeals will hear oral argument in Jay B. Stokes v. State of Indiana on Wednesday, April 1st at 1:30 p.m. at Northwood High School.  A panel of Judge L. Mark Bailey, Judge Melissa S. May, and Judge Michael P. Barnes will hear the case on appeal from Kosciusko Circuit Court.

This case involves the convictions of Jay B. Stokes on charges of attempted armed robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, and being an habitual offender.  Stokes appeals for the following reasons:  1) there should have been a mistrial because an alternate juror was involved in the jury deliberations; 2) the State improperly indicated to the jury that Stokes had been involved in other crimes; 3) there was not enough evidence presented that he took anything from the liquor store he was accused of trying to rob or that he was the person who committed the crimes that made him an habitual offender; and 4) his sentence is excessive.  Arguing for the appellant, Jay B. Stokes, will be Jay Rigdon, and arguing for the appellee, State of Indiana, will be Ellen Meilaender.

The Court hears oral argument at venues across the state to enable Hoosiers to learn about the judicial branch, and following the submission of the case members of the audience are invited to ask questions 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 Jay B. Stokes v. State of Indiana, visit http://www.in.gov/judiciary/appeals/arguments.html.