May 19, 2013
The Indiana Supreme Court says Ronald Hawkins paid too high a price for being late to court in Elkhart County.
The court struck down Hawkins convictions on two counts of failing to pay child support, ruling that Hawkins was improperly tried in absentia.
Hawkins was living in North Carolina and was on a bus heading to Elkhart, when his trial started without him on November 7.
The Trial Court was criticized for waiting just 30 minutes before it proceeded without Hawkins. The High Court found that Hawkins was not late on purpose, and that he must be re-tried.
