The Indiana Court of Appeals will hear oral argument in Charles Sweeney v. State of Indiana on Wednesday, April 9th at 12:30 p.m. in Hoosier Room West of the University Center North Building at Indiana University Southeast, New Albany.  A panel of Judge L. Mark Bailey, Judge Melissa S. May, and Judge Cale J. Bradford will hear the case on appeal from Clark Circuit Court.

After Mr. Sweeney’s attorney erroneously advised him that he had an immunity agreement with a prosecutor, he led authorities to the body of a murder victim.  The Court is asked to decide whether Mr. Sweeney deserves post-conviction relief due to ineffective counsel following his conviction in the murder and his sentence of 60 years.  Arguing for the appellant, Mr. Sweeney, will be Susan Schultz of Corydon.  Deputy Attorney General Zach Stock will argue for the State.
 
The Court hears oral argument at venues across the state to enable Hoosiers to learn about the judicial branch.  Members of the audience may ask questions about the judicial process in Indiana following the submission of the case.   Sweeney v. State will be the Court’s second visit to New Albany, and its 12th to the area, in the past eight years.  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” initiative, as well as additional information on Sweeney v. State, visit http://www.in.gov/judiciary/appeals/arguments.html.