Case ID: cal-app_88/html/0059-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "CONREY, P. J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

[Crim. No. 1594.
    Second Appellate District, Division One.
    December 28, 1927.]
    In the Matter of the Application of GEORGE TRAUGER for a Writ of Habeas Corpus.
    John Preston King for Petitioner.
    No appearance for Respondent.
   CONREY, P. J.

-In the petition it appears that in a justice’s court in the county of Tulare, a complaint was filed, wherein petitioner was charged with unlawful of intoxicating liquor, a misdemeanor. He pleaded not guilty and was tried and convicted.

The evidence was in the form of certain stipulations of fact. Petitioner claims that the court was without to render its judgment against petitioner, and that the imprisonment (for nonpayment of the imposed fine) is illegal in this, that the mere possession of intoxicating liquor is not a crime, but that it must be charged and proved that the possession was accompanied by some unlaw ful intent. In a habeas corpus proceeding the question of insufficiency of evidence to warrant conviction cannot be considered. (In re Jacobs, 175 Cal. 661 [166 Pac. 801]; In re Horr, 177 Cal. 721 [171 Pac. 801]; In re Williams, 183 Cal. 11 [190 Pac. 163].)

The case is thus reduced to the point where the only question relates to the sufficiency of the complaint to charge the commission of a misdemeanor. There is nothing in the petition to indicate that the complaint failed in any essential element required in charging the commission of a public offense. Where the charge is that of unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor, it is not necessary to negative any of the exceptions which, if they existed, would make the possession lawful. (People v. Cencevich, 64 Cal. App. 39, 44 [220 Pac. 448].)

The'petition is denied.

Houser, J., and York, J., concurred.