Case Name: In the Matter of the Petition of ANDREW MORCK for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
Court: Supreme Court of California
Jurisdiction: California
Decision Date: 1919-05-19
Citations: 180 Cal. 384
Docket Number: Crim. No. 2253
Parties: In the Matter of the Petition of ANDREW MORCK for a Writ of Habeas Corpus.
Judges: 
Reporter: California Reports
Volume: 180
Pages: 384–384

Head Matter:
[Crim. No. 2253.
In Bank.
May 19, 1919.]
In the Matter of the Petition of ANDREW MORCK for a Writ of Habeas Corpus.
-Criminai, Law—Excess Sentence—Habeas Corpus.—A sentence of twenty-five years for an offense, the maximum penalty of which is fourteen years, is not void in tato, but is a valid sentence for the .term authorized by law, and where the prisoner has not served the time for which he may be lawfully imprisoned, a writ of habeas corpus will not be granted.
L>.—Excess op Sentence—Consideration by Court—Time.—It is the established practice of -the supreme court not to consider -any question of excess of sentence until the expiration of the time for which the prisoner may be lawfully confined.
APPLICATION for a Writ o-f Habeas Corpus originally made to the Supreme Court. Denied.
The facts are stated in the opinion of the court.
Geo. D. Collins, Jr., for Petitioner.

Opinion:
THE COURT.
In view of the decisions of this court we see no merit in any of the claims made in support of the petition for a writ of habeas corpus, with the possible exception of the claim that under the circumstances and in view of the provisions of section 220 of the Penal Code, the maximum penalty in petitioner's case was fourteen years. As to this it is sufficient to say that while the sentence imposed was one 'of twenty-five years such judgment is not void in toto. It is a valid sentence for the term authorized by the law. The judgment was pronounced December 13, 1916. Obviously, therefore, the petitioner has not served the time for which he may be lawfully imprisoned. It is the established practice of this court not to consider any question of excess of sentence until the expiration of the time for which the prisoner may be lawfully confined. It is clear, therefore, that a writ should not he granted at this time. In what -we 'have said we are not to be understood as definitely determining that the judgment in this case was not one authorized by law.
The application for a writ of habeas corpus is denied. '
All concur except Lawlor, J., absent.