Opinion ID: 2094570
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Informations and Affidavits

Text: Frink first contends that the trial court should have granted a dismissal of all charges, based on defects in the informations and probable cause affidavits, because they did not contain notarizations as required by Ind. Code §§ 35-34-1-2 and 35-33-5-2. These documents did contain, however, verifications which complied with Ind. Trial Rule 11(B) (adapted to criminal proceedings by Ind. Code § 35-34-1-2.4 in 1988). In addition, Frink argues that the trial court never made a valid probable cause determination because the order book did not specify that it found probable cause to exist. The trial court did, however, order an arrest warrant to be issued. We agree with the Court of Appeals' resolution of this matter wherein that court refused to reverse for technical errors in the information and affidavits because the purpose of the oath requirement was fulfilled. In addition, this Court has consistently held that the decisions of a trial judge are accorded a presumption of regularity. See, e.g., Hammons v. State (1986), Ind., 496 N.E.2d 1284, 1285 (sentencing determination). Moreover, if an affidavit is uncontradicted, the reviewing court must accept its contents as true. Majko v. State (1987), Ind., 503 N.E.2d 898, 900-901. In Majko, this Court held that appellant was entitled to an evidentiary hearing on the question of probable cause for the arrest warrant where a witness recanted his original statement to police. However, such is not the case here. Since Frink does not challenge the content of the probable cause affidavits, we must accept them as true. These affidavits support the probable cause finding of the trial court below. Frink presents no reversible error on this issue.