Court Opinion

ID: 9525762
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 03:07:27.999784+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:16:58.879251
License: Public Domain

Wright, J.,
concurring.
I concur. The issue is whether Anderson is entitled to credit for time spent at liberty as a result of being prematurely released. This is an equitable doctrine.
If the prisoner is obligated to notify the proper authority when he knows his release was premature, the State has an obligation to act when it discovers the error. The State is permitted one error, but not two.
The Department discovered its mistake and sought a warrant in Douglas County District Court. The court signed the warrant, but the clerk’s office did not issue the warrant for approximately 14 months.
When considering what is fair, the State cannot be twice negligent at the prisoner’s expense. Once the State discovered the premature release, it had a duty to act promptly.
If the State cannot establish a valid reason why the warrant was not issued immediately after it was signed by the court, Anderson should be entitled to credit for the time the State knowingly failed to act. There is no evidence that Anderson caused his premature release, nor is there evidence that he committed any crimes while he was at liberty. Equity must shine on both sides of the coin.