State v. Culver, A--105

Citation40 N.J.Super. 427,123 A.2d 383
Decision Date20 June 1956
Docket NumberNo. A--105,A--105
PartiesSTATE of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. James CULVER, Defendant-Appellant. . Appellate Division
CourtNew Jersey Superior Court – Appellate Division

Gene G. King, assigned counsel, Somerville, argued the cause for appellant.

Robert O. Brokaw, Asst. County Prosecutor, Somerville, argued the cause for respondent (Leon Gerofsky, County Prosecutor in and for Somerset County, Somerville).

Before Judges CLAPP, JAYNE and FRANCIS.

The opinion of the court was delivered by

FRANCIS, J.A.D.

The history of this litigation appears in State v. Culver, 30 N.J.Super. 561, 105 A.2d 429 (App.Div.1954), affirmed per curiam 16 N.J. 483, 109 A.2d 422 (1955).

On December 23, 1947 Culver entered pleas of guilty to three separate allegations, each one charging a different armed robbery and each one alleging previous conviction of three high misdemeanors. Believing that N.J.S.A. 2:103--10 (now N.J.S. 2A:85--12, N.J.S.A.) was applicable and that a life sentence was mandatory, the trial court imposed such a sentence on each of the allegations, the terms to run concurrently.

Habeas corpus proceedings were prosecuted in 1953 and on appeal therein the Appellate Division declared that the life sentences were erroneously given because the record disclosed only two and not three previous high misdemeanor convictions. The opinion concluded by observing that:

'The defendant may apply at any time to the sentencing court for a correction of the invalid sentence so imposed upon him.' 30 N.J.Super. at page 568, 105 A.2d at page 433.

Thereafter the prisoner sought to be discharged from custody upon the ground that the trial court was without power to resentence him. The application was denied and subsequently the prosecutor moved, under R.R. 3:7--13, for the correction of the illegal sentences. This was done over the objection of Culver, who reiterated his stand that the court lacked authority to take such action. The original life terms were vacated and on allegation No. 3577 he was sentenced to 10 to 15 years in State Prison for the robbery. For being armed in committing the offense, an additional sentence of three to five years to be served Consecutively was imposed. On allegation No. 3577A identical terms were meted out to run Concurrently with those ordered under No. 3577. On allegation No. 3577B he was subjected to the same sentence of 10 to 15 years on the robbery charge to run Consecutively to the sentence under No. 3577. No additional term was laid upon him for being armed in the perpetration of this offense. These were proper sentences under N.J.S. 2A:141--1, N.J.S.A., formerly N.J.S.A. 2:166--1, and N.J.S. 2A:151--5, N.J.S.A., formerly N.J.S.A. 2:176--5; and see State v. La Vera, 35 N.J.Super. 256, 113 A.2d 829 (App.Div.1955), certiorari denied 350 U.S. 853, 76 S.Ct. 95, 100 L.Ed. --- (1955). The judgment embodying the corrections specifically directed that credit be given for time already served.

On this appeal it is contended that the determination of the Appellate Division ended the matter, the authority of the trial court having exhausted itself with the invalid sentence. But R.R. 3:7--13 authorizes the correction of an illegal sentence at any time. Cf. In re Hardman, 131 N.J.L. 257, 258, 36 A.2d 213 (Sup.Ct.1944); and see State v. Benes, 16 N.J. 389, 394, 108 A.2d 846 (1954); State v. Kowalczyk, 3 N.J. 231, 233, 69 A.2d 718 (1949). The availability of the rule for the stated purpose has been recognized frequently. In re Kershner, 9 N.J. 471, 476, 88 A.2d 849, certiorari denied sub nom. Kershner v. New Jersey, 344 U.S. 844, 73 S.Ct. 59, 97 L.Ed. 656 (1952); State v. Payne, 17 N.J.Super. 561, 563, 86 A.2d 421 (App.Div.1951); State v. Johnson, 16 N.J.Super. 174, 176, 84 A.2d 31 (App.Div.1951); State v. Weeks, 6 N.J.Super. 395, 398, 71 A.2d 644 (App.Div.1950).

The further claim is made that the general plea of guilty to each allegation actually constitutes only a confession with regard to the charge of being an habitual or multiple offender, and not an admission of guilt of the offense of armed robbery. Assuming that such a position may be asserted at this late date--long after the time for appeal from the original judgment has expired--as a defense to the prosecutor's motion to correct the sentences, we find no merit in it. The recital of previous high misdemeanor convictions under N.J.S.A. 2:103--10, as amended by L.1940 c. 219, p. 889, § 3, which was in effect in 1947, was not the charge of another or additional crime. It was simply an allegation which went to the matter of aggravation of the punishment for the substantive offense charged, namely, robbery. State v. McBride, 15 N.J.Super. 436, 83 A.2d 627 (App.Div.1951), certiorari denied 342 U.S. 894, 72 S.Ct. 204, 96 L.Ed. 670 (1951); Green v. Kaiser, 59 F.Supp. 361 (D.C.W.D.Mo.1945). The plea of guilty clearly amounted to admission of guilt of the substantive offense, as well as to the incidental accusation of being an habitual criminal. United States ex rel. Derencz v. Martin, 36 F.2d 944 (4 Cir., 1930), certiorari denied 281 U.S. 736, 50 S.Ct. 249, 74 L.Ed. 1151 (1930); Jenness v. State 144 Me. 40, 64 A.2d 184 (Sup.Jud.Ct.1949); Green v. Kaiser, supra; Commonwealth v. Fortier, 258 Mass. 98, 155 N.E. 8 (Sup.Jud.Ct.1927); State v. Miglin, 101 Conn. 8, 125 A. 250 (Sup.Ct.Err.1924); cf. State v. McBride, supra.

Finally, the argument is made that the new judgment should be set aside because it was not preceded by a presentence investigation. The alleged error was not brought to the attention of the trial court at or before the new impositions were made. Consequently it is not available on appeal. State v. Heyer, 89 N.J.L. 187, 98 A. 413 (E. & A.1916). Moreover, no substantial prejudice is...

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  • State v. Kunz
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court (New Jersey)
    • December 16, 1969
    ...242, 248, 160 A.2d 647 (App.Div. 1960). The requirement for it was described as 'a mandate of the highest order.' State v. Culver, 40 N.J.Super. 427, 431, 123 A.2d 383, 385 (App.Div. 1956), aff'd, 23 N.J. 495, 499--500, 129 A.2d 715 (1957). In State v. Alvarado, 51 N.J. 375, 240 A.2d 677 (1......
  • State v. Culver
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court (New Jersey)
    • March 4, 1957
    ...sentences. The defendant then appealed to the Appellate Division where the resentence judgment was unanimously affirmed; see 40 N.J.Super. 427, 123 A.2d 383 (1956). He appealed from that affirmance to this court without leave. The State moved to dismiss this appeal on the ground that the de......
  • State v. Rachwal
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court of Wisconsin
    • January 23, 1991
    ...the need for formal proof by the State" of the prior convictions for sentence enhancement purposes. Similarly, in State v. Culver, 40 N.J.Super. 427, 123 A.2d 383, 385 (1956), the court held that the defendant's "plea of guilty clearly amounted to an admission of guilt of the substantive of......
  • State v. Washington
    • United States
    • United States State Supreme Court (New Jersey)
    • June 6, 1966
    ...denied 26 N.J. 245, 139 A.2d 471 (1958), certiorari denied 361 U.S. 38, 80 S.Ct. 142, 4 L.Ed.2d 112 (1959); State v. Culver, 40 N.J.Super. 427, 430--431, 123 A.2d 383 (App.Div.1956), modified on other grounds 23 N.J. 495, 129 A.2d 715, certiorari denied 354 U.S. 925, 77 S.Ct. 1387, 1 L.Ed.2......
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