The Court of Appeals of Indiana will hear oral argument in R.H. v. State of Indiana on Wednesday, September 30th at 1:25 p.m. in the Auditorium of Hamilton Southeastern High School.  A panel of Judge Carr L. Darden, Judge Margret G. Robb, and Judge Paul D. Mathias will hear the case on appeal from Marion County Superior Court.

The case involves R.H.’s conviction for possession of marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor, if committed by an adult. Police received a call from a concerned person about an unfamiliar car parked on the street.  When police approached R.H.’s car, a large amount of smoke came out of the window and an inventory search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of marijuana bags.  On appeal, R.H. contends that the inventory search was unconstitutional and that the trial court therefore erred when it admitted into evidence items obtained from the search.  Arguing for the appellant, R.H., will be Anna Onaitis Holden, and arguing for the appellee, State of Indiana, will be Kelly Miklos.

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 250 oral arguments “on the road” at law schools, colleges, high schools, and county courthouses since its centennial in 2000-2001. 

The Court of Appeals of Indiana is the state’s second-highest court.  It reviews appeals from trial court decisions; a decision of the Court of Appeals of Indiana 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.