State of Indiana v. Jame Rolison

Indianapolis, Indiana, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with criminal trespass, a Class A misdemeanor. .



On December 20, 2022, Rolison was given a verbal trespass notice by his stepmother, Lori Jean Foust-Rolison ("Lori"), regarding her residence ("Property") in the presence of a law enforcement officer. Rolison was warned that he could be arrested if he returned to Lori's Property.



On the evening of December 27, 2024, Rolison drove back to Indianapolis from Alabama with his fourteen-year-old son. Because of work obligations, Rolison left his son in the vehicle at around 10:45 p.m. and went to work for approximately two and one-half to three hours. When Rolison returned to the vehicle, his son was gone. The phone Rolison had left with his son was still in the car. Panicking, and believing his son would go to the only familiar address in Indianapolis, Rolison drove to Lori's home.



Upon arriving at the Property, Rolison went to the front door and rang the doorbell "several times." Tr. Vol. II p. 29. Through the front-door camera on her phone, Lori saw that Rolison was at the Property ringing the doorbell. Lori was not surprised by Rolison's appearance because Rolison's son was at her home. Rather than answering the door, Lori contacted the police. After waiting a few minutes without receiving a response, Rolison returned to his car and called 911 about his missing son.



Approximately ten minutes after the calls, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officer Spencer Weidner arrived at the Property in response to Lori's report. Officer Weidner found Rolison standing in the street beside his truck and immediately placed Rolison under arrest for violating the prior trespass notice. Rolison acknowledged the prior trespass notice but stated he was unsure whether it remained in effect. Officer Michael Totten arrived shortly thereafter in response to Lori's call and was aware that Rolison had also requested police assistance. Both officers testified that Rolison appeared emotional when they arrived.



On December 28, 2024, the State charged Rolison with one count of criminal trespass for refusing to leave the Property, a Class A misdemeanor.[2] On March 16, 2025, the State added Count II, criminal trespass for entering the Property, a Class A misdemeanor.

On April 9, 2025, after a bench trial, the trial court dismissed Count I and found Rolison guilty of Count II. Rolison now appeals.



Affirmed on appeal.