Case ID: ala_238/html/0439-03.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      BROWN, Justice.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

191 So. 812
    CAMPBELL v. STATE.
    8 Div. 993.
    Supreme Court of Alabama.
    Oct. 12, 1939.
    Thos. S. Lawson, Atty. Gen., and John W. Vardaman, Asst. Atty. Gen., for. the State.
    Robt. E. Coburn, Jr., of Moulton, and Henry D. Jones, of Florence, opposed.
   BROWN, Justice.

The affidavit, constituting the complaint on which the defendant was brought to trial, charges in substantial conformity with the statute, Code 1923, § 4644, “that within twelve months before making of said affidavit, in said State and County, Allie J. Campbell did on the 17th day of April 1937, sell prohibited liquors, contrary to law,” and is not subject to the criticism visited on it by the Court of Appeals. Redd v. State, 169 Ala. 6, 53 So. 908; Johnson v. State, 27 Ala.App. 190, 168 So. 602.

The appeal to the Court of Appeals was from a judgment entered on the verdict of a jury, and the only predicate authorizing the court to examine the facts was the refusal of the affirmative charge requested by the defendant, and if reversible error intervened here, the complaint not being “void” the judgment should have been reversed and the case remanded for retrial by jury.

While there was a motion for new trial, the rulings thereon were not incorporated in the bill of exceptions.

The Court of Appeals erred in rendering judgment discharging the defendant.

The writ of certiorari is therefore granted, the judgment of the Court of Appeals is reversed, and the case is remanded to that court for further consideration in the light of this opinion.

Writ granted, reversed and remanded.

All Justices concur, except KNIGHT, J., not sitting.- -