Section 35-47-8.5-5 - Review of denial by circuit or superior court(a) A person whose request for certification has been denied under this chapter may file an action in the circuit or superior court of the county in which the denial occurred to compel the chief law enforcement officer to issue a certification. The person filing an action under this subsection shall serve a copy of the action on the chief law enforcement officer in accordance with the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure.(b) The court shall determine the matter under subsection (a) de novo, with the burden of proof on the chief law enforcement officer to sustain the denial of the request for certification. If the request for certification was denied because the applicant is: (1) prohibited by law from receiving or possessing a firearm; or(2) the subject of a proceeding that could result in the applicant being prohibited by law from receiving or possessing a firearm; a certified copy of documentary evidence establishing that the applicant is ineligible for certification is sufficient to meet the burden of proof. However, an affidavit or conclusory statement is not sufficient to sustain the burden of proof that a denial of the request for certification was proper.
(c) In an action filed under this section, a court shall award reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, and other reasonable expenses of litigation to the prevailing applicant if the court finds that there was no substantial basis for the denial of the request for certification.(d) A court shall expedite the hearing of an action filed under this section.Added by P.L. 66-2016, SEC. 7, eff. 7/1/2016.