C.T.S. v. State

781 N.E.2d 1193, 2003 Ind. App. LEXIS 94
Indiana Court of Appeals·Decided January 29, 2003·No. No. 49A02-0206-JV-439·Published·Cited by 53 cases

Opinions

OPINION

MATHIAS, Judge.

CTS. was found to be a delinquent child by the Marion Superior Court because he committed the following offenses: pointing a firearm,1 a Class A misdemean- or when committed by an adult, and battery,[1196] 2 a Class A misdemeanor when committed by an adult. At the dispositional hearing, the trial court granted wardship of C.T.S. to the Department of Correction and recommended a period of commitment of twelve months. C.T.S. appeals raising seven issues, which we reorder and restate as:

I. Whether the trial court had personal jurisdiction over C.T.S.;
II. Whether the trial court erred when it denied C.T.S.'s request for access to a polygraph examiner while he was detained;
Whether C.T.S. was properly detained for over four months in the Juvenile Detention Center before he was adjudicated a delinquent child; ITIL.
IV. Whether the trial court properly excluded C.T.S.'s stepfather from the proceedings due to a witness separation order;
V. Whether the evidence was sufficient to support the trial court's finding that C.T.S. committed the acts of pointing a firearm and battery, which are Class A misdemeanors if committed by an adult;
VI. Whether the trial court properly committed C.T.S. to the Department of Correction; and,
Whether Indiana Code section 31-32-6-3 unconstitutionally removes from the trial court its authority to determine if the public should be excluded from a juvenile proceeding. VIL.

We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.

Facts and Procedural History

The facts most favorable to the trial court's judgment reveal that on October 20, 2001, both C.T.S. and D.A.O. were at a party at the clubhouse at Martin Manor Apartments in Indianapolis During a fight that occurred at the party, C.T.S. and D.A.O. yelled at each other using vulgar language. As D.A.O. was walking back to his car to leave after the party ended due to the fight, C.T.S. approached him. When DAO. arrived at his car, C.T.S. walked up, stood next to him and pulled out a gun. He then threatened D.A.O. and with his finger on the trigger, put the gun against D.A.O.'s stomach. Tr. p. 31. D.A.O. stated "don't you ever pull a gun out on me" and pushed it away. Id. While D.A.O. and C.T.S. yelled obscenities at one another, one of C.T.S.'s friends took the gun from him, and another friend pulled C.T.S. away from D.A.O. D.A.O. then left with his friends.

On October 22, 2001, at approximately 7:00 p.m., D.A.0O. was at home when he heard a knock on the door. As he opened the door, the individual at the door asked D.A.O. if Rob lived there. D.A.O. replied in the negative and saw C.T.S. approach. After a short conversation, C.T.S. and the other individual grabbed D.A.O. and dragged him outside. D.A.O. observed that C.T.S. had something in his hand, which he thought was the "butt of a gun." Tr. p. 86. C.T.S. then hit D.A.O. with the object on his face near his eyebrow. DAO. collapsed and was punched and kicked repeatedly. A neighbor observed what was happening and called 911. D.A.O. was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital where he received stitches as a result of the blow to his face.

As a result of the two incidents, on November 1, 2001, C.T.S. was charged with pointing a firearm, a Class D felony if committed by an adult, and battery, a Class C felony if committed by an adult.3 [1197] An initial hearing was also held on that date, at which C.T.S. entered a denial as to both charges. The trial court ordered C.T.S. detained at the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center finding that C.T.S. "is unlikely to appear for subsequent proceedings and detention is essential to protect the child or the community." Appellant's App. p. 48. Also at the initial hearing, a denial hearing was scheduled for November 26, 2001.

On November 14, 2001, C.T.S. filed a notice of alibi defense and a request for visitation by an investigator and a polygraph examiner. The trial court granted the request for the investigator, but denied access to a polygraph examiner. On November 21, 2001, at a pretrial hearing, CTS. filed a motion for continuance, which was granted. The denial hearing was rescheduled for December 19, 2001. Also, on November 21, C.T.S. filed a motion requesting to be released from detention. The motion was denied.

On December 19, 2001, the trial court convened the denial hearing and evidence was heard. Due to time constraints, the trial court continued the denial hearing to January 3, 2002. Also on December 19, the trial court held a detention hearing and ordered C.T.S. to remain in detention. Evidence was heard at the January 3, 2002 denial hearing, but the hearing was continued for a second time due to time constraints. Another detention hearing was also held on that date, and the trial court found that C.T.S. should remain in detention.

The denial hearing was then continued twice on the court's own motion. On February 8, 2002, the denial hearing resumed, and the parties rested. On that date, a detention hearing was held as well, and the trial court ordered C.T.S. to remain in detention. After proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law were submitted by both parties, on March 8, 2002, the trial court issued its findings of fact and found C.T.S. to be a delinquent child. Also, on that date, C.T.S. filed another request for release from detention, which the trial court granted, and C.T.S. was released to his parents on electronic monitoring.

On April 15, 2002, a disposition hearing was held. At that time, the trial court found that C.T.S. was a delinquent child for pointing a firearm, a Class A misdemeanor if committed by an adult, and battery, a Class A misdemeanor if committed by an adult.4 The trial court then granted wardship of C.T.S. to the Department of Correction and recommended a period of commitment of twelve months because of C.T.S.'s prior history of delinquent activity. The trial court also found that "its disposition is the least restrictive alternative to insure [C.T.S.'s] welfare and rehabilitation." Appellant's App. p. 5. C.T.S. now appeals. Additional facts will be provided as necessary.

I. Personal Jurisdiction

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C.T.S. v. State, 781 N.E.2d 1193, 2003 Ind. App. LEXIS 94 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003).

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