State v. Roberts, No. 26

Docket NºNo. 26
Citation279 N.C. 500, 183 S.E.2d 647
Case DateOctober 13, 1971
CourtUnited States State Supreme Court of North Carolina

Page 647

183 S.E.2d 647
279 N.C. 500
STATE of North Carolina
v.
Joe Dean ROBERTS.
No. 26.
Supreme Court of North Carolina.
Oct. 13, 1971.

Atty. Gen. Robert Morgan, Asst. Atty. Gen. Parks H. Icenhour, for the State.

Lila Bellar, Charlotte, for defendant appellant.

CHARP, Justice:

Since defendant pled guilty his appeal presents for review only the question whether error appears on the face of the record proper. State v. Higgs, 270 N.C.

Page 649

111, 153 S.E.2d 781; State v. Newell, 268 N.C. 300, 150 S.E.2d 405. Suffice it to say, [279 N.C. 502] no error appears. The bill of indictment is in all respects regular; defendant's plea was understandingly and voluntarily made; and the sentence imposed is within the statutory limits. See State v. Dawson, 268 N.C. 603, 151 S.E.2d 203; State v. Darnell, 266 N.C. 640, 146 S.E.2d 800.

This case is just one more example of the manner in which the unlimited right of appeal, which the State now gives to every criminal defendant, is 'being perverted at the whim of those who have nothing to lose.' State v. Darnell, Supra at 641, 146 S.E.2d at 801.

In defendant's brief filed in this court, his counsel purported to move in arrest of judgment upon the unsupported assertion contained therein that the bill of indictment against defendant was 'returned by a grand jury which contained as a member thereof a person who had theretofore pleaded Nolo contendere to an indictment charging a felony and that said juror was therefore unqualified to be a grand juror.' The Court will not consider this statement, which is not supported by the record. Elliott v. Goss, 254 N.C. 508, 119 S.E.2d 192. However, even if it be true and were considered, a charge that a member of the grand jury which returned the indictment against defendant was disqualified cannot be urged in arrest of judgment. In the first place, a motion in arrest of judgment can be based only upon some fatal defect appearing upon the face of the record. State v. Kirby, 276 N.C. 123, 171 S.E.2d 416. Secondly, '(a)ll exceptions to grand jurors on account of their disqualifications shall be taken before the petit jury is sworn and impaneled to try the issue, by motion to quash the indictment, and if not taken at that time shall be deemed to be waived.' G.S. § 9--23.

The judgment of the Superior Court is

Affirmed.

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15 practice notes
  • State v. Russell, No. 48
    • United States
    • North Carolina United States State Supreme Court of North Carolina
    • November 15, 1972
    ...the question whether error appears on the face of the record proper. State v. Ford, 281 N.C. 62, 187 S.E.2d 741 (1972); State v. Roberts, 279 N.C. 500, 183 S.E.2d 647 (1971). 'Ordinarily, in criminal cases the record proper consists of (1) the organization of the court, (2) the charge (info......
  • State v. Ford, No. 50
    • United States
    • North Carolina United States State Supreme Court of North Carolina
    • April 12, 1972
    ...or assignment of error, defendant's appeal presents the question whether error appears on the face of the record proper. State v. Roberts, 279 N.C. 500, 183 S.E.2d 647 (1971). 'Ordinarily, in criminal cases the record proper consists of (1) the organization of the court, (2) the charge (inf......
  • State v. Ford, No. 7121SC764
    • United States
    • North Carolina Court of Appeal of North Carolina (US)
    • December 15, 1971
    ...the defendant's appeal[13 N.C.App. 38] does present the question whether error appears on the face of the record proper. State v. Roberts, 279 N.C. 500, 183 S.E.2d 647 (1971); State v. Moore, 6 N.C.App. 596, 170 S.E.2d 568 (1969). In State v. Tinsley, 279 N.C. 482, 183 S.E.2d 669 (1971), it......
  • State v. White, No. 7326SC53
    • United States
    • North Carolina Court of Appeal of North Carolina (US)
    • April 11, 1973
    ...and the text of the notes. Matters discussed in the brief outside the record will not be considered on appeal. State v. Roberts, 279 N.C. 500, 183 S.E.2d 647 Even so, the record does indicate that Officer Gibson in testifying referred to notes Officer Frye said he had mad. In Stansbury, N.C......
  • Request a trial to view additional results
15 cases
  • State v. Russell, No. 48
    • United States
    • North Carolina United States State Supreme Court of North Carolina
    • November 15, 1972
    ...the question whether error appears on the face of the record proper. State v. Ford, 281 N.C. 62, 187 S.E.2d 741 (1972); State v. Roberts, 279 N.C. 500, 183 S.E.2d 647 (1971). 'Ordinarily, in criminal cases the record proper consists of (1) the organization of the court, (2) the charge (info......
  • State v. Ford, No. 50
    • United States
    • North Carolina United States State Supreme Court of North Carolina
    • April 12, 1972
    ...or assignment of error, defendant's appeal presents the question whether error appears on the face of the record proper. State v. Roberts, 279 N.C. 500, 183 S.E.2d 647 (1971). 'Ordinarily, in criminal cases the record proper consists of (1) the organization of the court, (2) the charge (inf......
  • State v. Ford, No. 7121SC764
    • United States
    • North Carolina Court of Appeal of North Carolina (US)
    • December 15, 1971
    ...the defendant's appeal[13 N.C.App. 38] does present the question whether error appears on the face of the record proper. State v. Roberts, 279 N.C. 500, 183 S.E.2d 647 (1971); State v. Moore, 6 N.C.App. 596, 170 S.E.2d 568 (1969). In State v. Tinsley, 279 N.C. 482, 183 S.E.2d 669 (1971), it......
  • State v. White, No. 7326SC53
    • United States
    • North Carolina Court of Appeal of North Carolina (US)
    • April 11, 1973
    ...and the text of the notes. Matters discussed in the brief outside the record will not be considered on appeal. State v. Roberts, 279 N.C. 500, 183 S.E.2d 647 Even so, the record does indicate that Officer Gibson in testifying referred to notes Officer Frye said he had mad. In Stansbury, N.C......
  • Request a trial to view additional results

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