This is a civil action being brought by a prisoner pro se. The complaint alleges discrimination against prisoners serving life sentences in the parcelling out of various institutional benefits. On March 19, 1984, appellees through the Attorney General filed a motion to dismiss pursuant to T.R. 12(B)(6). On March 21, 1984, the trial court granted this motion and granted judgment for the defendants. Madison County was not the county of conviction.
Appellant filed a motion to correct errors in which he contended that the ruling on
Initially, it must be noted that appellant's action is, in essence, one for injunctive or declaratory relief and that it does not fall within any of the jurisdictional categories set forth in Appellate Rule 4(A). As a result, this action falls under Appellate Rule 4(B), and it should have been filed in the Court of Appeals. However, we will exercise our discretionary authority, and we will decide the case on its merits. See Hawkins v. Jenkins (1978),
Appellant's contention that it was error to rule on the motion to dismiss before giving him an opportunity to respond is not sustained. The ruling was governed by TR. 12 which states:
"When a motion to dismiss is sustained for failure to state a claim under subdivision (B)(6) of this rule the pleading may be amended once as of right pursuant to Rule 15(A) within ten [10] days after service of the court's order sustaining the motion and thereafter with permission of the court pursuant to such rule."
There is no requirement in the rule requiring the court to conduct a hearing or oral argument upon, or to receive a response to a motion to dismiss when the motion is addressed to the face of the complaint and not supported by matters outside the pleadings. Where as here, material has not been submitted in support of the motion, the motion should be granted if it is clear from the face of the complaint that under no cireumstances could relief be granted. State v. Rankin (1973),
Appellant next contends that the ruling was erroneous in that the complaint did allege a claim upon which relief could be granted namely that he had not been informed or notified of existing criteria applied by corrections officials in determining the eligibility of those serving life sentences for consideration as recipients of the various benefits. Construing this complaint liberally and taking as true the allegations contained in it, we find no such claim of discrimination based upon institutional action or inaction. There is no allegation of a failure to inform or notify of eligibility requirements. This appellate argument is not sustained.
Appellant finally raises several issues concerning the propriety of his sentence. The trial court did not have jurisdiction to consider these claims. These are post-conviction claims and should have been addressed to the court where appellant was convicted or sentenced. See PC 1 § 1(a)(8) and PC 1 § 1(c).
The judgment is affirmed.
