State v. O'LEARY
State v. O'LEARY
Opinion
Appellant, Thomas Lee O’Leary (O’Leary) pled guilty to driving under suspension (DUS) in violation of S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-460 (Supp. 1989). The trial Court permitted O’Leary to condition his guilty plea upon the right to appeal
*18 the constitutionality of S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-360 (1976), 1 regarding notice to drivers whose licenses are suspended. This was error; we reverse.
Guilty pleas are unconditional and, if an accused attempts to attach any condition, the trial Court must direct a plea of not guilty. State v. Truesdale, 278 S.C. 368, 296 S.E. (2d) 528 (1982). It is, thus, impermissible for a defendant to preserve constitutional issues while entertaining á guilty plea; the trial Court may not accept the plea on such terms. Id.
We reverse and remand for new trial.
Reversed and remanded.
This section was amended subsequent to O’Leary’s plea by 198 No. 169, § 1, effective June 8, 1989. See, § 56-1-360 (Supp. 1989).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- The STATE, Respondent v. Thomas Lee O’LEARY, Appellant
- Cited By
- 11 cases
- Status
- Published