Opinion ID: 2041125
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Presence of Uniformed Officers

Text: Appellant argues that the presence of uniformed officers in the courtroom and near the jury violated his right to an impartial jury. He maintains the trial court's denial of his motion to exclude uniformed officers did not provide the requisite explanation, citing Williams v. State (1976), 264 Ind. 664, 348 N.E.2d 623. As trial commenced, Timmons moved that only plain clothes officers be permitted in the courtroom. The trial judge denied the motion, noting that most of the officers present would be in plain clothes anyway. At the request of defense counsel, the uniformed officers took up positions outside the courtroom. The trial court must determine the necessity for security measures. In Williams, we indicated that the judge should make a record of the arguments and his reason for permitting guards beyond those customarily employed.  Williams, 348 N.E.2d at 631 (emphasis added). In the case at bar, the record does not indicate that any extraordinary security measures were employed. The trial court acted appropriately in denying defendant's motion.