Court Opinion

ID: 9824604
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-01 10:57:46.090837+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:39:52.792427
License: Public Domain

SAMFORD, Justice.
This prosecution was begun in the county court by affidavit charging that the defendant “Was caught violating the prohibition law against the peace and dignity of the State of Alabama.” On conviction m tlie county court, defendant perfected an appeal to the circuit court where the solicitor filed a complaint charging that defendant violated the prohibition law by having in her possession intoxicating liquor. On conviction in the circuit court, the defendant takes this appeal.
The affidavit upon which the warrant was issued is sufficient to charge the offense in common parlance, which is all that is required by section 3815 of the Code of 1923. Holman v. State, 144 Ala. 95, 39 So. 646.
Neither the sheriff nor the county judge has the legal right to compromise criminal cases pending in the county court. A defendant is either guilty as charged or he is innocent and court officials have no legal right to juggle prosecutions to secure the payment of costs. Therefore all evidence in this case relative to the compromise and payment of a part of the costs in another case was immaterial.
There was evidence tending to prove the possession of one quart of whisky in the defendant at the time alleged and for that reason the general charge was properly refused.
Let the judgment be affirmed.
Affirmed.