Burrell v. United States

District of Columbia Court of Appeals
Burrell v. United States, 223 A.2d 377 (D.C. 1966)
1966 D.C. App. LEXIS 240
Hood, Quinn, Myers

Burrell v. United States

Opinion

PER CURIAM:

During the course of a search of appellant’s room for narcotics undertaken pursuant to a search warrant validly issued for that purpose, police unexpectedly discovered a pistol and ammunition in a bottom dresser drawer. The arresting officer was aware that appellant had been previously convicted for carrying a concealed dangerous weapon without a license to do so. D.C. Code § 22-3204 (1961). Appellant was thereupon arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a pistol after he had been previously convicted for carrying a dangerous weapon in violation of D.C.Code § 22-3203(4) which prohibits any person previously convicted of a weapons offense ■under §§ 22-3201 to 22-3216 from owning ■or having possession of a pistol. After trial appellant was convicted and given a sentence of 45 days. Prior thereto, appellant had stipulated to his previous coriViction under § 22-3204.

Appellant contends that because of his earlier conviction the. trial court was required to apply the felony penalty of § 22-3203 and therefore had no' jurisdiction because that penalty exceeded the trial court’s statutory limitation of $1,000 or not more than one year’s imprisonment, or both.

It is true that § 22-3203 provides for a heavier penalty of imprisonment for not more than ten years after a second conviction under that section, but there was no proof that appellant had ever been convicted previously under § 22-3203 and therefore the felony penalty could not be invoked here. The charge against appellant was a misdemeanor and properly within the jurisdiction of the District of Columbia Court of General Sessions. The penalty for a first violation of § 22-3203 was authorized by § 22-3215 (not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both).

The conviction and penalty imposed are

Affirmed.

Reference

Full Case Name
Ronald B. BURRELL, Appellant, v. UNITED STATES, Appellee
Cited By
4 cases
Status
Published