Van Meter v. State

SHEPARD, Chief Justice.

This case presents the question whether a criminal defendant may collaterally attack his convictions through a Trial Rule 60(B) motion, rather than employing the established procedures for post-conviction relief. We hold that he may not.

Appellant Michael Paul Van Meter was convicted of burglary and attempted theft and was found to be a habitual offender. The trial court sentenced him to thirty-six years in prison, and the Court of Appeals affirmed. VanMeter v. State (1993), Ind.App., 625 N.E.2d 509. Van Meter then filed a pro se motion for relief from judgment pursuant…