Court Opinion

ID: 9737931
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 19:37:16.128762+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:02.556855
License: Public Domain

DICKSON, Justice,
concurring and dissenting.
I concur with the majority in all respects except as to Part V-B. In cases where an appellant has properly preserved an objection to the jurisdiction of an improperly appointed court officer to enter a final judgment, a defendant's appeal may also present other issues unrelated to the authority of the judicial official that imposed his sentence. Such other questions may have merit. A defendant should not be required to suffer delay in the resolution of such appellate issues. This would unjustly penalize a defendant for the errors of the court. Rather than dismiss the appeal, the appellate tribunal should address the issues unrelated to sentencing and then remand the case to the trial court for a proper sentencing, if required.
While this proposed procedure could be characterized as permitting an appeal that does not arise from a valid final judgment, I believe it to be fair and just, preferring substance over form. This is consistent with our commitment to procedures that "do substantial justice, lead to disposition on the merits, and avoid litigation on procedural points." Ind.Trial Rule 8(F).