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ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
Gregory Paul Kauffman Hilgendorf & Kauffman South Bend, Indiana

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Steve Carter Attorney General of Indiana Ellen H. Meilaender Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana

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In the

Indiana Supreme Court
_________________________________ No. 71S03-0405-CR-234 JELANI MERRITT, v. STATE OF INDIANA, Appellee (Plaintiff below). _________________________________ Appellant (Defendant below),

Appeal from the St. Joseph Superior Court, No. 71D08-9910-CF-574 The Honorable Ronald W. Chamblee, Jr., Judge _________________________________ On Petition To Transfer from the Indiana Court of Appeals, No. 71A03-0305-CR-169 _________________________________ June 17, 2005 Dickson, Justice.

The defendant, Jelani Merritt, seeks reversal of his conviction for possession of marijuana on the ground that certain evidence introduced at trial resulted from a traffic stop based upon the display of a license plate in the rear window of his vehicle, which he contends is lawful. The Court of Appeals reversed. 1 We granted transfer, 2 and now affirm the trial court, holding that a license plate must be affixed to the brackets provided on the rear of the vehicle, and not in the

1 2

Merritt v. State, 803 N.E.2d 1212 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004) 812 N.E.2d 806 (Ind. 2004).

rear window. 3

The defendant believes that he did not violate any statutes and that the stop of his vehicle was illegal. According to the defendant, the placement of his license plate in the back window of his car did not violate Indiana Code

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Indiana Law