Driggers v. State, 4 Div. 485

Decision Date29 March 1977
Docket Number4 Div. 485
Citation344 So.2d 226
PartiesEddie Wayne DRIGGERS v. STATE.
CourtAlabama Court of Criminal Appeals

Larry W. Roney, Phenix City for appellant.

William J. Baxley, Atty. Gen., and Jane LeCroy Robbins, Asst. Atty. Gen., for the State.

PER CURIAM.

May 4, 1976, appellant appeared before the Circuit Court of Russell County, Alabama, with court appointed counsel and withdrew his former pleas of not guilty and pled guilty to two indictments charging burglary, second degree. The appellant had been indicted on three charges of burglary, second degree. These cases were numbered 6515, 6519 and 6526 on the trial docket. By agreement between appellant, his counsel, and the District Attorney, the Court dismissed case number 6515 and accepted pleas of guilty in cases numbered 6519 and 6526. The Court then found the appellant guilty as charged and set May 28, 1976, as the date for sentencing. On May 28, 1976, the Court sentenced appellant to six years in the penitentiary in each case, the sentences to run concurrently. Application for probation was denied.

June 22, 1976, court appointed counsel, who represented appellant in all prior court proceedings, made known to the Trial Court by letter that appellant wished to appeal the convictions. Counsel was permitted to withdraw and the Court then appointed other counsel for the appeal.

June 25, 1976, appellant filed a motion to set aside and withdraw the plea of guilty and re-enter pleas of not guilty. No ruling on this motion appears in the record.

June 28, 1976, appellant filed a motion for re-hearing on application for probation which was overruled July 8, 1976.

July 26, 1976, appellant gave notice of appeal to this Court in cases numbered 6519 and 6526.

Appellant raises two questions as follows:

I 'Was there an abuse of discretion when the Trial Court refused to allow Driggers, who is of the tender age of 16 years, to withdraw his plea of guilty, which was given freely and voluntarily with the assistance of competent counsel?'

II 'Was there an abuse of discretion by the Trial Court in refusing to grant Drigger's motion for re-hearing on application for probation?'

No contention is made by appellant that his pleas of guilty were not voluntary and made with full knowledge and understanding of his Constitutional rights. Indeed, the record shows a full and thorough in-court colloquy between the Court, appellant, and his counsel about the charges, punishment and voluntariness of appellant's pleas of guilty. Appellant was questioned by the Court in detail to determine whether the 'Ireland' form, signed by appellant and his counsel and filed in the Circuit Court, was explained to him and if he understood it. Appellant said that it had and he understood it.

It is within the sound discretion of the Trial Court to refuse the withdrawal of a plea of guilty. To establish that such refusal is reversible error, it must be shown that ...

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6 cases
  • Bostwick v. ALA. BD. OF PARDONS AND PAROLES
    • United States
    • Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals
    • 21 Marzo 2003
    ...held that such a decision is a matter of grace that is entirely within the discretion of the trial court. See Driggers v. State, 344 So.2d 226 (Ala.Crim.App.1977); Sparks v. State, 40 Ala.App. 551, 119 So.2d 596 (Ala. Ct.App.1959). See also Rheuark v. State, 625 So.2d 1206 (Ala.Crim.App.199......
  • German v. State, 3 Div. 158
    • United States
    • Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals
    • 20 Agosto 1985
    ...appeal from a judgment of conviction. Turner v. State, 365 So.2d 335 (Ala.Cr.App.), cert. denied, 365 So.2d 336 (1978); Driggers v. State, 344 So.2d 226 (Ala.Cr.App.1977)." Roden v. State, 384 So.2d 1248, 1249 The judgment and sentence of the trial court is due to be, and is hereby, affirme......
  • Bowers v. State
    • United States
    • Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals
    • 23 Febrero 1990
    ...v. State, 430 So.2d 888, 891 (Ala.Cr.App.1983). "The matter of probation is discretionary with the Trial Court." Driggers v. State, 344 So.2d 226, 227 (Ala.Cr.App.1977). More specifically, § 15-22-52(6) gives the trial court authority to require the defendant to "remain in a specified place......
  • Roden v. State, 8 Div. 324
    • United States
    • Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals
    • 17 Junio 1980
    ...from a judgment of conviction. Turner v. State, 365 So.2d 335 (Ala.Cr.App.), cert. denied, 365 So.2d 336 (Ala.1978); Driggers v. State, 344 So.2d 226 (Ala.Cr.App.1977). We have searched the record for error and found none. The judgment of the Circuit Court is AFFIRMED. All Judges Concur. ...
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