State v. Griffin

• Decision Date: 09 October 1957
• Docket Number: No. 219,219
• Citation: 246 N.C. 680,100 S.E.2d 49
• Court: North Carolina Supreme Court
• Parties: STATE, v. John Henry GRIFFIN, Jr.

Page 49

100 S.E.2d 49

246 N.C. 680

STATE, v. John Henry GRIFFIN, Jr.

No. 219

Supreme Court of North Carolina.

Oct. 9, 1957

George B. Patton, Atty. Gen., Claude L. Love, Asst. Atty. Gen., for the State.

Carswell & Justice, by James F. Justice, Charlotte, for defendant, appellant.

HIGGINS, Justice.

In the Superior Court the defendant moved for a directed verdict of not guilty upon two grounds: (1) The evidence at the trial was insufficient to make out a case; and (2) G.S. § 44-12, under which the indictment was drawn, is unconstitutional in that it violates Article I, Section 17, Constitution of North Carolina, and the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States for assigned reasons. From an adverse ruling on both questions the defendant appealed.

In this Court the Attorney General moved (1) to remand the cause to the Superior Court of Mecklenburg County upon the ground that no final judgment had been entered in the Superior Court and that the appeal is premature; and (2) to dismiss the appeal for failure of the defendant to include the evidence in the case in narrative form as required by Rule 19(4), Rules of Practice in the Supreme Court, 221 N.C. 556.

The condition of the record requires, or at least makes it desirable, that we consider first the State's motions, and in the order in which they were made. If either is allowed, the questions raised by the defendant need not be decided.

The defendant's appeal presents the question whether the trial court entered a judgment in its nature final. State v. Baker, 240 N.C. 140, 81 S.E.2d 199; State v. Webb, 209 N.C. 302, 183 S.E. 367.

After a conviction or plea (guilty or nolo contendere) the court has power: (1) To pronounce judgment and place it into immediate execution; (2) to pronounce judgment and suspend or stay its execution; (3) to continue prayer for judgment. When the judgment is pronounced and placed into execution the defendant has the right of appeal. Likewise, when the judgment is pronounced and its execution is stayed or suspended, 'such disposition of the cause does not serve to delay or defeat the defendant's right of appeal.' State v. Miller, 225 N.C. 213, 34 S.E.2d 143, 145, State v. Calcutt, 219 N.C. 545, 15 S.E.2d 9. However, if the defendant consents to the conditions upon which judgment is suspended, he thereby waives or abandons his right of appeal. 'He may not be heard thereafter to complain that his conviction was not in accord with due process of law.' State v. Miller, supra; State v. Pelley, 221 N.C. 487, 20 S.E.2d 850; State v. Henderson, 206 N.C. 830, 175 S.E. 201. He is not precluded thereafter, however, from contesting the sufficiency of the evidence to show a breach of conditions, State v. Johnson, 169 N.C. 311, 84 S.E. 767; or, that the conditions were unreasonable, State v. Shepherd, 187 N.C. 609, 122 S.E. 467.

The Superior Courts of North Carolina have the inherent power to exercise a certain measure of control over their judgments by designating the manner by which they shall be executed. '* * * the execution of every sentence of a court is under the control of the court * * *' State v. Manuel, 20 N.C. 144. 'The inherent power of a court having jurisdiction to suspend judgment or stay execution of sentence on conviction in a criminal case for a determinate period and for a reasonable length of time has been recognized and upheld in this jurisdiction.' State v. Miller, 225 N.C. 213, 34 S.E.2d 143; G.S. § 15-197 (citing cases). The time during which the execution of a sentence may be suspended may not exceed five years. G.S. § 15-200.

In the event the court, after a conviction or plea, finds it desirable not to pass judgment immediately, it may continue the prayer for judgment from one term to another without the defendant's consent if no terms or conditions are imposed. State v. Graham, 225 N.C. 217, 34 S.E.2d 146, 147. 'It is sometimes found to be expedient, if not necessary, to continue a prayer for judgment and when no conditions are imposed, the judges of the Superior Court may exercise this power with or without the defendant's consent.' State v. Graham, supra; State v. Burgess, 192 N.C. 668, 135 S.E. 771. There may be an exception in certain cases under the Probation Act, G.S. § 15-197. However, in the case of State v. Jaynes, 198 N.C. 728, 153 S.E. 410, 411, this Court said: 'Prayer for judgment may not be continued over the defendant's objection.' In that case the prayer was continued upon the payment of a fine and costs. When the prayer for judgment is continued there is no judgment --only a motion or prayer by the prosecuting officer for judgment. And when the court enters an order continuing the prayer for judgment and at the same time imposes conditions amounting to punishment (fine or imprisonment) the order is in the nature of a final judgment, from which the defendant may appeal. Punishment having been once inflicted, the court has exhausted its power and cannot thereafter impose additional punishment. 'Nemo debet bis puniri pro uno delicto'--no one may be punished...