Document: 368 U.S. 52 82 S.Ct. 157 7 L.Ed.2d 114 Charles Clarence HAMILTON, Petitioner,v.STATE OF ALABAMA. No. 32. Argued Oct. 17, 1961. Decided Nov. 13, Constance B. Motley, New York City, for petitioner. George D. Mentz, Montgomery, Ala., respondent. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This is a capital case, petitioner having been sentenced to death on count an indictment charging breaking and entering dwelling at night with intent ravish.1 Petitioner appealed, claiming he had denied counsel time arraignment. The Alabama Supreme Court, although stating that right under State Federal Constitutions included arraignment, did not reach merits claim because do so would require impeaching minute entries trial,2 which may be done in appeal. 270 Ala. 184, 116 So.2d 906. When sought certiorari here, responded saying his remedy attack judgment extrinsic evidence was by way coram nobis. We certiorari. 363 852, 80 1638, 4 1737. 2 thereupon proceeded nobis courts. Court Alabama, while recognizing state law, 15 Ala.Code § 318, represented relief there no showing or effort show 'disadvantaged any absence counsel3 when interposed plea guilty.' 271 88, 93, 122 602, 607. case here certiorari, 364 931, 81 388, 5 364. 3 Arraignment law critical stage criminal proceeding. It then defense insanity must pleaded (15 423), opportunity lost. Morrell v. State, 136 44, 34 So. 208. Thereafter made except discretion trial judge, refusal accept it 'not revisable' Rohn 186 5, 8, 65 42, 43. Cf. Garrett 248 612, 614—615, 29 9. Pleas abatement also 279. motions quash based systematic exclusion one race from grand juries (Reeves 264 476, 88 561), ground jury otherwise improperly drawn (Whitehead 206 288, 90 351), made. Whatever function importance arraignment other jurisdictions,4 we have said enough What happens affect whole trial. Available defenses as irretrievably lost, if asserted, they are accused waives strategic purposes. Canizio People York, 327 82, 85—86, 66 452, 453, L.Ed. 545. In Powell 287 45, 69, 53 55, 64, 77 158, 'requires guiding hand every step proceedings against him. Without it, though guilty, faces danger conviction does know how establish innocence.' needed 'lest unwary concede only bewilderment ignorance could justify pay penalty greater than exacts offense fact committed.' Tomkins Missouri, 323 485, 489, 370, 372, 89 407. But same pitfalls like ones face who arraigned without side. pleads charge benefit counsel, stop determine whether prejudice resulted. Williams Kaiser, 471, 475—476, 363, 366, 398; House Mayo, 324 45—46, 517, 520, 739; Uveges Commonwealth Pennsylvania, 335 437, 442, 69 186, 93 127. this those, degree can never known. Only presence enabled all available him plead intelligently. Reversed. Another charged steal. indicated first indicted burglary present. Later, present indictment, relating incident, returned. His appointed, advised re-arraigned. lawyer appeared read mean earlier appointment carry over. has differing consequences various jurisdictions. Under federal sine qua non itself—the preliminary where informed thereby formulating issue tried. Crain United States, 162 625, 644, 16 952, 958, 40 1097; Rules 10 11, Criminal Procedure, 18 U.S.C.A. That view led some States hold (at least felonies) entitled attorney. Kurant, 331 Ill. 470, 163 N.E. 411. 'a part trial' but mere formal answer plea.' Ex parte Jeffcoat, 109 Fla. 207, 210, 146 827, 828. An normally, however, affords plead, condition precedent Fowler 155 Tax.Cr.R. 35, 230 S.W.2d 810. N.J.Rules Practice, Rule 8:4—2.

Category: 0