The Court of Appeals of Indiana will hear oral argument in Pablo G. Madrigal v. State of Indiana on Friday, October 30th at 10:00 a.m. (Central time) in the Auditorium of Valparaiso High School.  A panel of Judge Margret G. Robb, Judge Nancy H. Vaidik, and Judge Paul D. Mathias will hear the case on appeal from St. Joseph Superior Court.

The case involves Pablo G. Madrigal’s sentence following his conviction for possession of cocaine.  Madrigal was sentenced to twenty years with fifteen years suspended and two years to be served on probation.  The executed portion of this sentence was to be served on home detention.  When Madrigal was found in possession of a handgun, the State filed a petition to revoke probation and placement. Madrigal admitted to the violation, and the trial court revoked Madrigal’s home detention placement and ordered him to serve his twenty-year sentence in prison. On appeal, Madrigal contends the trial court abused its discretion in revoking his placement and imposing the entirety of his previously suspended sentence.  Arguing for the appellant, Pablo G. Madrigal, will be Jeffrey Sanford, and arguing for the appellee, State of Indiana, will be Angela Sanchez.

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.  

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 Pablo G. Madrigal v. State of Indiana, visit http://www.in.gov/judiciary/appeals/arguments.html.