Case Name: ROYAL v. STATE
Court: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Jurisdiction: Texas
Decision Date: 1951-12-05
Citations: 244 S.W.2d 239
Docket Number: No. 25543
Parties: ROYAL v. STATE.
Judges: 
Reporter: South Western Reporter Second Series
Volume: 244
Pages: 239–240

Head Matter:
ROYAL v. STATE.
No. 25543.
Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
Dec. 5, 1951.
Glover Engledow, Jayton, for appellant.
George P. Blackburn, State’s Atty., of Austin, for the State.

Opinion:
DAVIDSON, Commissioner.
Unlawfully storing whisky in a dry area is the offense; the punishment, six months in jail.
The complaint upon which the information was presented contained one count which charged,'in effect, that appellant unlawfully stored whisky in a dry area. No leference was therein made, or alleged, to prior convictions for offenses of like char-acted. The information upon which this case was tried and submitted to the jury, and upon which the jury returned its verdict finding appellant guilty as charged, contained a count charging two prior convictions for offenses of like character.
The complaint, not alleging prior convictions, would not authorize an information alleging prior convictions, because an information must be based upon a complaint and limited by the allegations of the complaint. Art. 415, C.C.P. The prior convictions, not having been alleged in the complaint, should not have been submitted to the jury.
In the event of another trial, doubt is expressed as to the sufficiency of the evidence to support the conviction, especially in view of the fact that the prima-facie-evi-dence statute, Art. 666-23a, Sec. (2), Vernon's P.C., relates only to possessing liquor for the purpose of sale.
The judgment is reversed and the cause remanded.
Opinion approved by the Court.