State v. Thornton
State v. Thornton
Opinion of the Court
In this case it does not appear, in the transcript of the record, that there was any final judgment of the District Court, from which an appeal could be taken.
In sustaining exceptions to an indictment in cases of felony, there ought to be a judgment of the court at the time, either discharging the accused, when no offense is actually charged, or committing to jail, if an offense was charged, but defectively. If the exception be sustained upon the ground that no offense is charged in the indictment, in that event, the final judgment should be a discharge of the defendant. This is the mode of procedure clearly indicated by Articles 2914 and 2916 of the Code, Paschal’s Digest, p. 319. So far as the record shows, the judgment of the court was upon the insufficiency of the indictment simply, and the only order made was the exceptions to the indictment sustained, which is a mere interlocutory order. If the exceptions were sustained, because no offense was charged, the judgment ought to have pronounced the discharge of the accused, and the final judgment have been so entered. But if the exceptions were sustained to Axe form of the indictment, the judgment ought to be only interlocutory. In some such cases, the indictment is amendable, which done, the cause may proceed: and in others, where an offense is charged, but not in conformity with the requirements of the Code, and exceptions are sustained, the judgment is still only interlocutory ; and upon this interlocutory judgment the defendant is recommitted to custody by order of the court, as prescribed in Art. 2914, Paschal’s Digest.
The question how this interlocutory is to be converted into & final judgment to authorize an appeal, is difficult of solution by any positive provisions of the Code, upon the hypothesis
There is certainly great complication in the provisions of the Code in regard to appeals by the State, if axxthorized to be taken in cases of felony. The generality of the language in Art. 3182 seems to imply the right, when exceptions to the indictment are sustained. Art. 2973 expressly enjoins the discharge of the accused when exceptions are sustained in cases of misdemeanor; sxich order of dischai-ge is final, from which an appeal lies; bxxt the court is authorized to exact a recognizance from the defendant xxpon the appeal of the State. By Art. 2971 thex’e can be no judgment of discharge where exceptions ai'e sustained ixi cases of felony; but the acexised mxxst be recommitted, without bail or mainprize, to enable the District Court to initiate a new prosecution in that forum, unless the exception is sustained, because no offense is charged in the indictment, as provided in Art. 2976; when the defendant would be discharged and allowed to go hence without day.
It is the opinion of the court, therefore, that the only possible solxxtion of the diificxxlty, and the only method of reconciling and harmonizing these seemingly conflicting provisions
The court, therefore, is brought to the conclusion that the judgment of the court upon the insufficiency of this indictment for robbery, as well as all similar judgments upon indictments for felony, cannot be brought by the State to this court for revision. In this conclusion the court is fortified by § 3, Art. IY of the constitution, which declares that “the-Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction only,” etc.; “ but in criminal cases, and in appeals from interlocutory judgments, with such exceptions and under such regulations as the Legislature shall make.” Wherefore, the appeal is dismissed.
Dismissed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- State v. Joel Thornton
- Cited By
- 1 case
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- Published
- Syllabus
- 1— In this case the court considers the several provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure respecting the right of the State to appeal, and arrives at the conclusion that the State cannot appeal from a judgment of the District Court sustaining exceptions to an indictment for a felony, 6n the ground of insufficiency. 2— The right of the State to appeal is restricted, it seems, to cases of misdemeanors and to criminal actions, quasi civil, wherein there has heen a final judgment. 3— An order of the court sustaining exceptions to an indictment, hut making no further disposition of the case, is an interlocutory, not a final judgment.