State v. Edmonds

Court of Appeals of North Carolina
State v. Edmonds, 198 S.E.2d 27 (1973)
19 N.C. App. 105; 1973 N.C. App. LEXIS 1583
Britt, Morris, Parker

State v. Edmonds

Opinion

BRITT, Judge.

Defendant’s only assignment of error is that the trial court erred in signing and entering the second judgment and commitment without specifically vacating or striking the prior judgment duly signed and entered at the same session (term). We hold that the court .did not err.

Defendant recognizes, and authorities support, the principle that during a session of the court a judgment is in fieri and the court has authority in its sound discretion, prior to expiration of the session, to modify, amend or set aside the judgment. 5 Strong’s N. C. Index 2d, Judgments, § 6, pp. 14-15; Wiggins v. Bunch, 280 N.C. 106, 184 S.E. 2d 879 (1971); *107 Chriscoe v. Chriscoe, 268 N.C. 554, 151 S.E. 2d 33 (1966); In re Moses, 17 N.C. App. 104, 193 S.E. 2d 375 (1972).

While recognizing the principle stated, defendant contends the court may not enter two conflicting judgments. The record indicates that two days after the entry of a judgment imposing a prison sentence suspended upon compliance with certain conditions, but during the same session, the court entered the second judgment imposing an active sentence. By its. latter action the court did not enter a second judgment to stand with the first judgment, thereby creating a conflict, nor did the court activate the suspended sentence; rather, the court, in its discretion, modified the first judgment. State v. Godwin, 210 N.C. 447, 187 S.E. 560 (1936).

The judgment appealed from is

Affirmed.

Judges Morris and Parker concur.

Reference

Full Case Name
State of North Carolina v. Morris Lorenzo Edmonds
Cited By
7 cases
Status
Published