Court Opinion

ID: 6729892
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 23:10:40.017314+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:01:38.518693
License: Public Domain

CAMPBELL, Judge.
Defendant makes two assignments of error: (1) That the procedure by which the defendant was brought before the court on the issuance of an instanter capias by the Deputy Clerk of the Superior Court was improper; and (2) That the findings of fact were insufficient to support the order of the court revoking the original judgment suspending sentence and imposing imprisonment for six months. As it is not necessary for a determination of this appeal, we will not discuss the first assignment of error.
Defendant argues that the trial court was required to make specific findings of fact as to whether the conduct of the defendant was either wilful or without lawful excuse. In fact, the only finding by the trial court was that “the defendant failed to make support payments ordered in said judgment.”
In State v. Robinson, 248 N.C. 282, 103 S.E. 2d 376 (1958), the Court said the following:
*713“After a diligent search we have found no case, and counsel in the case have referred us to none, which holds that a court cannot revoke a suspension of sentence in a criminal case, and enforce the sentence for a breach of the condition on the part of the defendant unless such breach is wilful. Based upon the reasoning and language of the cases we have cited above, it is our opinion that all that is required to revoke a suspension of a sentence in a criminal case, and to put the sentence into effect is that the evidence shall satisfy the judge in the exercise of his sound discretion that the defendant has violated, without lawful excuse, a valid condition upon which the sentence was suspended and that the judge’s findings of fact in the exercise of his sound discretion are to that effect.”
However, the Court went on to hold that, as a prerequisite to revocation of the suspended sentence, the trial judge must make a determination of whether the failure to make the support payments was without lawful excuse. This was not done in the present case, therefore, the judgment putting the six months’ jail sentence into effect must be vacated and this proceeding is remanded for a determination by the trial judge as to whether or not the failure of defendant to make the monthly payments for the support of his wife and children was without lawful excuse. The judge’s findings of fact should be definite, and not mere conclusions. State v. Robinson, supra.
Remanded.
Judges Britt and Vaughn concur.