Three judges from the Indiana Court of Appeals completed their statewide Appeals on Wheels journey in Pulaski County on Tuesday where they held oral arguments in the case of Michael Scanland vs. the State of Indiana.
Michael Scanland, an Indianapolis resident, is appealing his conviction of a Class C Misdemeanor charge of possession of paraphernalia after a jury verdict on the matter. He claims that the trial court erred by denying his motion to suppress evidence of statements he made to the police in that they were obtained in violation of his Miranda rights.
Christopher Taylor-Price, argued that Scanland was asked questions by a parole officer without the notice of his Miranda rights. Scanland is alleged to have revealed to the officer that he was under the influence of methamphetamine and asked officers to go his home to retrieve drug paraphernalia so his girlfriend wouldn’t get hurt.
Appellee Ian McLean said Scanland was essentially “in custody” as he was on parole after being convicted of murder and didn’t need to be given his Miranda rights. He also stated that the officer testified that no interrogating questions were asked.
The appellate judges posed several questions as to the point where the alleged questions were asked and if Scanland just gave the officers a voluntary statement while admitting he was under the influence of methamphetamine.
The judges will discuss the case further and render a decision to affirm or reverse the conviction in four to six weeks.
The judges and attorneys took part in a question and answer session with students from Eastern Pulaski and West Central Schools following the oral arguments.
