This report has been updated to reflect new information.
LAFAYETTE, IN — Public defender and local attorney Alexander Robbins was heading to what amounts to the judicial woodshed for alleged shortcomings in representing his clients, until an abrupt order Wednesday afternoon dismissed the filing and vacated the hearing.
Senior Judge John Potter summoned Robbins to a May 14 hearing to explain why Robbins is missing his clients’ hearings and not returning calls to prosecutors, according to the court docket.
The case also was sealed Monday, according to the docket. The Journal & Courier argued Wednesday afternoon that Indiana law requires a hearing before sealing a case to determine whether privacy matters are superseded by the public interest. The judge later unsealed and dismissed the case.
“Court finds that this matter was sealed due to error and now Orders this case be unsealed,” Potter wrote in a Wednesday order. “Further, Court finds that the matter asserted are no longer at issue and therefore this cause of action is DISMISSED. Case closed.
“Any previous scheduled hearings are now VACATED,” Potter wrote in his order.
As part of this report before the dismissal, the Journal & Courier left a voicemail for Alexander Robbins on May 8. When the J&C called back later that day, a receptionist reported that Robbins said, “No comment.”
Potter is filling in for Superior 2 Judge Steve Meyer, who was wounded Jan. 18 by a gunman who prosecutors say tried to kill Meyer.
Potter’s initial order for Robbins to appear states, “The record made by the State and Defense Counsel that day of Counsel’s failure to act timely and his failure to respond to multiple communication requests by the state is troubling, to the say the least, if not a roadmap for an ineffective assistance of counsel appeal or (post conviction relief) considering the plea offer was withdrawn and a new, harsher offer was made on the record that day. …
“(T)he Court finds that these matters need addressed on the record as they are interfering with the administration of justice and the schedule and calendar of the Court, let alone any effect on Defendants represented by Mr. Robbins.”
Potter’s order cites one particular defendant who is facing drug-related felonies, but Robbins did not show up for that defendant’s hearing on May 1, according to court’s motion. Robbins also was supposed to represent five defendants that morning.
During the May 1 hearings, Public Defender Chief Deputy Rob Little “covered” for Robbins’ clients in his absence, according to the motion.
Another attorney representing the woman tried to reach Robbins about a plea agreement that would have resolved the cases against her. But Robbins did not respond, according to the court’s motion.
The court’s order setting the hearing cited several other problems with Robbins’ representation of his clients, including missed hearings and a motion to postpone a hearing filed 50 minutes before the hearing was to begin. Robbins missed deadlines to accept a proposed plea agreement, and the offer was withdrawn, according to the order.
Robbins started working as a public defender on Oct. 22, 2023, according to the Tippecanoe County Public Defender office. Robbins has not been disciplined as a public defender that resulted in suspension, demotion or discharge, according to the public defender office.
Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Judge orders public defender to explain missed hearings but dismisses case
Reporting by Ron Wilkins, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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