Court Opinion

ID: 9676006
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 05:12:10.402115+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:42.445899
License: Public Domain

ON MOTION FOR REHEARING
ONION, Judge.
In his motion for re-hearing, relator contends that this Court failed to make a distinction between a suspension of the execution of a sentence and the suspension of the imposition of a sentence with regard to his 1953 suspended sentence.
He points out that when he was given a suspended sentence in 1953 for felony theft in the Criminal District Court of Dallas County, the trial judge then presiding actually imposed sentence, and thereafter suspended the execution of such sentence during the good behavior of the relator.
It is his contention that after the adj ournment of the term of court at which such sentence was imposed and execution thereof suspended the trial court was powerless upon revocation of the suspended sentence to alter its terms or make it cumulative with any later sentence. In support of his contention, he cites Ex parte O’Connor, Tex.Cr.App., 394 S.W.2d 815; Ex parte Green, Tex.Cr.App., 375 S.W.2d 312; Ex parte Hernandez, Tex.Cr.App., 364 S.W.2d 688; Ex parte Rutherford, 171 Tex.Cr.R. 302, 350 S.W.2d 31; Ex parte Downey, 171 Tex.Cr.R. 296, 350 S.W.2d 20; Ex parte Scott, 168 Tex.Cr.R. 353, 328 S.W.2d 190; Ex parte Tucker, 168 Tex.Cr.R. 308, 325 S.W.2d 703; Ex parte Minor, 167 Tex.Cr.R. 170, 319 S.W.2d 114.
None of the cases cited pertain to suspended sentences granted under Articles 776-781, C.C.P. (1925). All of the above cited cases were probation cases where sentence was imposed and the execution of the sentence suspended under the provisions of either Article 781b, V.A.C.C.P. (1947) or Article 781d, V.A.C.C.P. (1957). These statutes permitted the trial judge when *412granting adult probation to suspend either the imposition or the execution of the sentence. See also Article IV, Section 11 A, Texas Constitution. In each of the cases cited by appellant, the trial judge in granting probation had actually imposed sentence and then suspended the execution thereof subject to certain conditions of probation. These cases in effect held that when the trial court chose such method of granting probation it lost, after the adjournment of the court term at which the sentence was imposed, the authority to amend, alter or change the sentence, or to make it cumulative with a later sentence if the probation granted was revoked.
These cases had no application where the trial court had chosen the other method of granting probation, that is, the suspension of the imposition of sentence subject to probationary conditions. Under such method sentence is not imposed unless revocation of probation is ordered. Where such method is used, the sentence imposed following revocation can be made cumulative with other outstanding sentences. It is observed that Article 42.12, Sections 1 and 3, of the 1965 Code of Criminal Procedure, now provides only for the suspension of the imposition of the sentence when probation is granted.
The Legislature did not intend either Article 781b, supra, or its successor, Article 781d, supra, to be construed as additional powers and duties granted in connection with the then existing Suspended Sentence Law. Articles 776-781, C.C.P. (1925). Ex parte Pittman, 157 Tex.Cr.R. 301, 248 S.W.2d 159.
In extending clemency in 1953 to relator, it is obvious that the trial court proceeded under the provisions of the Suspended Sentence Law, supra, rather than the Adult Probation Law (Article 781b), then in effect.
It is clear from reading Articles 776-781, supra, (the Suspended Sentence Law) that where the sentence was suspended pursuant thereto that no sentence was to be imposed. Article 778, supra, provided that where the sentence was suspended, the judgment entered would not become final except as provided in Article 779, supra. Section 1 of Article 779, supra, provided that upon revocation of the suspended sentence as a result of a final conviction of any other felony the Court shall pronounce sentence upon the original judgment of conviction and shall cumulate the punishment assessed with any subsequent conviction or convictions. The provisions of this Article were held to be mandatory. Young v. State, 162 Tex.Cr.R. 382, 285 S.W.2d 748.
From the foregoing it is seen that a trial judge in granting clemency pursuant to the Suspended Sentence Law could not properly impose a sentence and then suspend its execution.
It appears from the record that in 1953 the Judge of the Criminal District Court of Dallas County actually imposed sentence upon relator and then added to such sentence the words: “Sentence suspended during the good behavior of the Defendant. Defendant sentenced and placed under recognizance in the amount of $1,000.00.”
It is obvious that the trial court clearly intended to give to the relator the benefits of the suspended sentence law which he had the power to do. The fact that in doing so, he took an additional and unauthorized step in imposing sentence did not prevent the trial judge in 1958 from legally pronouncing sentence against relator following revocation of the suspended sentence and cumulating it with the 1957 felony conviction in accordance with Article 779, supra.
It is noted that the Suspended Sentence Law has been repealed by the 1965 Code of Criminal Procedure.
While the point is not raised again on rehearing, it is observed that the sentence entered on January 7, 1958, following revoca*413tion of the suspended sentence on the same day states that relator’s counsel was present at the time of such sentence.
Relator’s Motion for Re-hearing is overruled.