Court Opinion

ID: 9761199
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 01:34:15.819235+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:29:20.904073
License: Public Domain

Galbreath, J.,
(concurring in part and dissenting in part).
While in complete agreement with the action of the trial court in dismissing the oft presented contentions of the plaintiffs in error without an evidentiary hearing and with the result reached by the majority opinion here, I am unable to agree with the broad and general holding to the effect that petitioners in post conviction collateral attacks on judgments claimed to be void or voidable ‘ ‘may not be permitted to resurrect and insist upon the same alleged error” objected to on trial hut which “they raised no question about * * * in their motions for a new trial.” This suggests that-the trial judge may not grant a hearing even if he believes the petition sets out meritorious grounds for relief that were not raised in the trial court for reasons not the fault of the petitioner. Such a hard and fast rule would render in some degree impotent the office of post conviction procedure and habeas corpus attacks on invalid sentences of confinement *239which they are designed to nullify, and would he even more harsh and unyielding than the test applied in direct appeals wherein, “It is well settled, however, under our practice, that when necessary to meet the ends of justice, this court has the right to notice, and will notice, errors of the lower court, and, when the error is very plain, will correct it of its own motion.” See First National Bank of Elgin, Ill. v. Russell, 124 Tenn. 618, 139 S.W. 734; and Baldwin v. State, 213 Tenn. 49, 372 S.W.2d 188.
The office of post conviction legislation is not to restrict the court’s jurisdiction to inquire into and relieve against unlawful imprisonment, but to broaden even the remedies available under habeas corpus prior to such enactments. As has been said of similar legislation enacted by Congress:
“ [T]he effect * * * is to enlarge the privilege of the writ of habeas (sic) corpus and make the jurisdiction of the courts and judges of the United States coextensive with all the powers that can be conferred on them. It is a bill of the largest liberty.
* * # # * *
“This legislation is of the most comprehensive character. It brings within the habeas corpus jurisdiction of every court and of every judge every possible case of privation of liberty contrary to the National Constitution, treaties, or laws. It is impossible to widen its jurisdiction.” Fay v. Noia, 372 U.S. 391, 83 S.Ct. 822, 9 L.Ed.2d 837.
*240While, as aforesaid, I agree that Judge Faquín was within his rights to deny the petitioners a hearing in this matter, I believe he would have been equally in his rights, if in his discretion he deemed it necessary, to have granted a full hearing. To the extent that the majority opinion suggests the contrary, I respectfully dissent.