State v. Williams

Decision Date27 October 1960
Docket NumberNo. 35501,35501
Citation356 P.2d 99,57 Wn.2d 231
CourtWashington Supreme Court
PartiesSTATE of Washington, Respondent, v. William Edward WILLIAMS, Appellant.

John M. Reese, Walla Walla, for appellant.

Arthur L. Hawman, Walla Walla, for respondent.

ROSELLINI, Judge.

The defendant appeals from a judgment of conviction following a verdict of the jury finding him guilty of a violation of RCW 9.31.010, defining the crime of escape, while he was imprisoned at Walla Walla for the commission of a felony. He assigns error to the denial of his motion for dismissal which was based upon the contention that, inasmuch as he had been disciplined at the prison as a result of the attempted escape, his trial under the statute deprived him of his constitutional right not to be twice placed in jeopardy for the same offense.

We find in the defendant's brief no authority supporting this theory, and our research has revealed none.

In order for a plea of double jeopardy to be invoked, it is incumbent upon a defendant to show that he has been previously placed on trial before a court of competent jurisdiction upon an indictment or information for the same offense. People v. Conson, 72 Cal.App. 509, 237 P. 799. The term 'jeopardy,' as used in the constitution, signifies the danger of conviction and punishment which the defendant in a criminal prosecution incurs when he is put on trial before a court of competent jurisdiction under an indictment sufficient in form and substance to sustain a conviction. Ex parte Kirk, 96 Okl.Cr. 272, 252 P.2d 1032; Holt v. State, 160 Tenn. 366, 24 S.W.2d 886; 15 Am.Jur. 40, § 360.

The hearing before the disciplinary committee did not, as the defendant contends, constitute a jeopardy for the crime of escape. He was at that time serving his sentence at the prison, and, as an inmate, was subject to prison discipline, including reasonable punishment for infraction of rules. See RCW 72.08.120 and 72.08.040. No new or greater sentence was imposed upon him by virtue of the disciplinary action, nor was he convicted of any offense. Such discipline is an administrative, and not a judicial function. People v. Conson, supra; Ex parte Rody, 348 Mo. 1, 152 S.W.2d 657; People v. Ford, 175 Cal.App.2d 37, 345 P.2d 354.

People v. Conson, supra, Ex parte Kirk, supra, and People v. Garmon, Cal.App., 2 Cal.Rptr. 60, are cases involving the identical question presented here. In each of them it was held that no question of double jeopardy...

To continue reading

Request your trial
21 cases
  • State v. Procter
    • United States
    • Ohio Court of Appeals
    • 16 Marzo 1977
    ...160 S.E.2d 281; State v. Gonyer (1960), 102 N.H. 527, 162 A.2d 172; State v. Lebo (1971), 129 Vt. 449, 282 A.2d 804; State v. Williams (1960), 57 Wash.2d 231, 356 P.2d 99; State v. Maddox (1973), 190 Neb. 361, 208 N.W.2d 274; State v. Williams (1972),208 Kan. 480, 493 P.2d 258; Shuman v. Ne......
  • IN RE LELAND
    • United States
    • Washington Court of Appeals
    • 16 Enero 2003
    ...Gibson v. United States, 161 F.2d 973 (6th Cir.1947); In re Mayner, 107 Wash.2d 512, 521, 730 P.2d 1321 (1986); State v. Williams, 57 Wash.2d 231, 232, 356 P.2d 99 (1960). 5. DOC instead takes the position that the February 7, 2002 hearing results are moot in any event. That is not true bec......
  • State v. Killebrew
    • United States
    • Wisconsin Court of Appeals
    • 9 Noviembre 1982
    ...State v. Kerns, 201 Neb. 617, 271 N.W.2d 48, 50 (1978); State v. Weekley, 90 S.D. 192, 240 N.W.2d 80, 82-3 (1976); State v. Williams, 57 Wash.2d 231, 356 P.2d 99, 100 (1960).8 See, e.g., State v. Tise, 283 A.2d 666 (Me.1971); State v. Croney, 425 S.W.2d 65, 67 (Mo.1968); State v. Procter, 5......
  • Robinson v. Peterson
    • United States
    • Washington Supreme Court
    • 10 Noviembre 1976
    ...within the meaning of U.S.Const. amend. 8 or Const. art. 1, § 14. In another recent case, Division 2 of the Court of Appeals, citing State v. Williams, supra, held that segregated maximum security confinement is permissible as an administrative punishment for prison escape. State v. Keith, ......
  • Request a trial to view additional results

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT