Court of Appeals to conduct public session March 31 in Greencastle

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

The Putnam County community, along with DePauw University students, faculty and staff, will again have an opportunity to see the justice system at work firsthand on Thursday, March 31 in Greencastle.

The Indiana Court of Appeals will come to the DePauw campus to conduct a session to which the public is invited to attend.

The approximately one-hour session will begin at 10 a.m. in the Inn at DePauw's Social Center.

A three-judge Court of Appeals panel will hear oral arguments in Ogburn v. the State of Indiana, a criminal case on appeal from the Vanderburgh Circuit Court in southwestern Indiana.

The case involves a conviction for dealing in marijuana.

At the conclusion of the oral arguments, the judges plan to answer questions from the audience, although they must refrain from discussing the particular case being considered. Normal courtroom rules of decorum will apply.

It marks the 11th time in the last 12 years that the Court of Appeals has come to DePauw with the assistance of the department of political science. The Court of Appeals hears several oral arguments each year at locations around the state to enable citizens to learn about the judicial branch.

"This is a marvelous opportunity for our campus," noted Bruce Stinebrickner, professor of political science and coordinator of the visit. "DePauw often has visitors speaking about public affairs and various aspects of the American political system, but our visitors from the Court of Appeals will be conducting state government business, not just talking about it. These sessions are fascinating and provide a window into how our system works."

The three-judge panel conducting the oral arguments will be Terry A. Crone, a 1974 graduate of DePauw; Margret G. Robb, the first woman ever to serve as chief judge of the Indiana Court of Appeals; and Robert Altice Jr.

The Court of Appeals hears oral arguments across Indiana to enable Hoosiers to observe the court in action and learn more about its indispensable role in Indiana government.

The court has conducted more than 440 "Appeals on Wheels" events since its 2000-2001 centennial. The argument at DePauw marks the court's ninth Appeals on Wheels event this year.

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