Case Name: STATE of Louisiana, (Plaintiff-Respondent), v. Albert JOHNSON, Jr., (Defendant-Relator)
Court: Louisiana Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1991-05-03
Citations: 578 So. 2d 573
Docket Number: No. K90-1383
Parties: STATE of Louisiana, (Plaintiff-Respondent), v. Albert JOHNSON, Jr., (Defendant-Relator).
Judges: Before LABORDE and KNOLL, JJ.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 578
Pages: 573–574

Head Matter:
STATE of Louisiana, (Plaintiff-Respondent), v. Albert JOHNSON, Jr., (Defendant-Relator).
No. K90-1383.
Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Third Circuit.
May 3, 1991.
Albert Johnson, Jr., pro se.
J. Nathan Stansbury, Dist. Atty., Lafayette, for respondent/plaintiff.
Before LABORDE and KNOLL, JJ.

Opinion:
ORDER
WRIT DENIED: The district court should have considered the substance of defendant-relator's petition and, considering the claim made, should have addressed the merits. Although we do not suggest that any rule of procedure be disregarded, we find that the substance of an application should be considered and an application should not be denied based solely upon the name affixed to the pleading. Rather than remand, as a matter of judicial economy we will address the merits of defendant-relator's claim.
We are of the opinion that defendant-relator waived the right to any "good time" he may have been eligible for, and entered into a plea bargain with a condition of probation being that he serve two full years. In exchange for this plea, the state dropped many serious charges against defendant-relator. The application fully sets forth this plea bargain agreement. Accordingly, under these circumstances, we find defendant-relator is not entitled to "good time."
STOKER, J., concurs in the denial.