Sec. 9. (a) If a person files a motion to dismiss under this chapter, the court in which the motion is filed shall do the following:

(1) Treat the motion as a motion for summary judgment.

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Terms Used In Indiana Code 34-7-7-9

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • claim: means :

    Indiana Code 34-7-7-3

  • Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Judgment: means all final orders, decrees, and determinations in an action and all orders upon which executions may issue. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
  • person: means any of the following:

    Indiana Code 34-7-7-4

  • Pleadings: Written statements of the parties in a civil case of their positions. In the federal courts, the principal pleadings are the complaint and the answer.
(2) Establish a reasonable time period, not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days, to expedite and rule on the motion.

(3) Specify time limits for the discovery of evidence to respond to material issues raised in the motion.

     (b) The person who files a motion to dismiss must state with specificity the public issue or issue of public interest that prompted the act in furtherance of the person’s right of petition or free speech under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the State of Indiana.

     (c) The court shall make its determination based on the facts contained in the pleadings and affidavits filed and discovered under the expedited proceeding.

     (d) The motion to dismiss shall be granted if the court finds that the person filing the motion has proven, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the act upon which the claim is based is a lawful act in furtherance of the person’s right of petition or free speech under the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of the State of Indiana.

     (e) The court must act on the motion to dismiss within thirty (30) days from the submission of evidence made by motion to the court that is discovered within the specific expedited time period allowed.

     (f) If a court does not act within the thirty (30) days provided in subsection (e), the person filing the motion may appeal the matter based on the court’s failure to rule on the motion.

As added by P.L.114-1998, SEC.7.