Court Opinion

ID: 9860790
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 23:32:44.057539+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:26:41.684436
License: Public Domain

Concurring Opinion
Hunter, J.
Each member of our Court is bound by our rules as they presently exist, and this is the only reason I *197concur in result in these cases. I agree with the majority that a public threat to resign if our rule is not changed is injudicious and provides no basis for changing our rules. Nevertheless, these rules as presently drawn are anachronistic and unique to Indiana. Their daily abuse is the most serious impediment to the administration of justice in Indiana today. Accordingly, I urge our Advisory Committee on the Rules to give careful and objective thought to their amendment.
In changes of venue from the county, a verified application must be filed and, except in cases punishable by death, may be granted by the court. Ind. R. Crim. P. 12 states:
“* * * Upon the filing of a properly verified application, a change of venue from the county shall be granted in all cases punishable by death and may be. granted in all other cases when in the court’s discretion cause for such change is shown to exist after such hearing or upon such other proof as the court may require. * * *” [Emphasis added.]
Under the case law interpreting this rule, the state has a right to file counter affidavits, and a hearing is then held on the motion for change from the county. In other words, the duty is upon the defendant to prove his reasons for asking that the venue of a criminal case be changed from the county of origin.
I believe that any motion for a change of venue from the judge by reason of his bias and prejudice should be either under oath or supported by affidavit and should require a hearing on said allegations before a neutral member of the judiciary. This practice would be in accordance with the federal procedure under 28 U.S.C. § 144 which provides:
“Whenever a party to any proceeding in a district court makes and files a timely and sufficient affidavit that the judge before whom the matter is pending has a personal bias or prejudice either against him or in favor of any adverse party, such judge shall proceed no further therein, but another judge shall be assigned to hear such proceeding. “The affidavit shall state the facts and the reasons for the belief that bias or prejudice exists, and shall be filed not less than ten days before the beginning of the term at which the proceeding is to be heard, or good cause shall be shown for failure to file it within such time. A party may *198file only one such affidavit in any case. It shall be accompanied by a certificate of counsel of record stating that it is made in good faith.”
There is no logical reason to make any distinction in the procedural aspects of our change of venue rules.
Note. — Reported at 341 N.E.2d 495.