Court Opinion

ID: 6731296
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 23:12:47.020943+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:01:39.796185
License: Public Domain

BALEY, Judge.
Defendant makes two assignments of error: (1) That his plea was not understandingly made as he was not fully advised by the court of the maximum punishment to which he could be subjected upon his plea. (2) That the judgment imposed was not authorized by the statute.
When the defendant, represented by privately employed counsel, tendered his guilty plea, he was informed by the court *50that he could be imprisoned for a maximum period of five years. The sentence which he received does not exceed the maximum of five years. If he chooses to accept the probationary term, he would have an active prison term of three years and a probationary term of two years which was suspended under certain conditions including'the imposition of fine. If he desires, he may accept the additional two-year prison term rather than probation.
The record shows that before the imposition of the sentence and after questioning the defendant under oath, the court found as a fact that the defendant had informed the court that he had been fully advised of the maximum punishment for the offense charged and that he was guilty. The court further found that the plea was entered freely, understandingly, and voluntarily. It will not be disturbed on appeal. State v. Barnes, 15 N.C. App. 280, 189 S.E. 2d 796; State v. Crocker, 14 N.C. App. 654, 188 S.E. 2d 548; State v. Harris, 12 N.C. App. 576, 183 S.E. 2d 864.
Defendant next contends that the judgment imposed upon him was not authorized by the statute and constitutes two sentences for one offense.
G.S. 90-95 (b) provides in pertinent part:
“Any person who violates G.S. 90-95 (a) (1) . . . shall be guilty of a felony and shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than five years or fined not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both in the discretion of the court. In addition to any term of imprisonment, any sentence, imposed may include a special probation term of not more than the difference between the time required to be actively served and five years. . . .”
It is the general rule that penal statutes which impose punishment for the commission of a crime are to be strictly construed against the State and in favor of the accused. State v. Hill, 272 N.C. 439, 158 S.E. 2d 329; State v. Heath, 199 N.C. 135, 153 S.E. 855, 87 A.L.R. 37; 50 Am. Jur., Statutes, § 407. However, the courts need not construe the criminal statutes so narrowly as to exclude cases which are fairly covered by its terms. State v. Whitehurst, 212 N.C. 300, 193 S.E. 2d 657; 50 Am. Jur., Statutes, § 410.
It seems clear that it was the intent of the legislature in the enactment of G.S. 90-95 (b) to permit the court to include a *51special probation term within the sentence imposed under G.S. 90-95 (b) so long as the special probation term and the active term of imprisonment did not exceed the maximum of five years.
The judgment entered in this case, while not couched in strict conformity to the statute, imposed an active prison term of three years with an additional term of two years which was suspended with defendant being placed on probation under certain specified conditions. It was within statutory limits, and there is no prejudicial. error. Mere technical error, if any there be, does not entitle defendant to a new trial unless such error be material and denied to him some substantial right. State v. Turner, 268 N.C. 225, 150 S.E. 2d 406; State v. Rainey, 236 N.C. 738, 74 S.E. 2d 39.
The 1973 General Assembly enacted Chapter 654 revising G.S. 90-95 and other statutes relating to controlled substances, but this legislation specifically provides that it shall not apply to cases which occur prior to its effective date of 1 January 1974.
No error.
Judges Brock and Vaughn concur.