Court Opinion

ID: 9688654
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 17:59:28.592062+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:18:40.927721
License: Public Domain

ON REHEARING
TYSON, Judge.
I
For clarity, each of the Judges of this Court concurs in the following observa*714tions with reference Section 401(a) and (b), of Act No. 1407, Acts of Alabama 1971, Regular Session:
1. That the colon appears outside the numerals “$25,000” in the amendment, in Section 401(a), and therefore such colon is not to be considered as a part of the Act in question.
2. That Section 401(a) and (b) of said Act (Title 22, Section 258(47), Code of Alabama 1940, as amended 1971), is controlling as to the possession of marihuana for personal use on first offense, and also for punishment for subsequent offenses relating to the possession of marihuana.
3. That Section 407(a) and (b), of Act No. 1407, Acts of Alabama 1971, Regular Session (Title 22, Section 258(53), Code of Alabama 1940, as amended, 1971), is controlling as to punishment for other types of narcotic drugs and drug offenses relating to marihuana other than possession of same.
II
As noted on original deliverance, the trial court allowed the circuit clerk to read the trial judge’s bench notes, entered on a trial docket sheet, as proof of purported prior conviction of the appellant in this cause. The docket sheet, as read, was also admitted in evidence. We held the foregoing to be prejudicial error necessitating a reversal of this cause.
The State of Alabama now cites to this Court the case of Donahay v. State, 287 Ala. 716, 255 So.2d 599, and further states that there was here not a proper objection made at trial to the offer of proof, so that the matter, it is argued, is not properly before this Court on appeal.
We do not agree with this argument as it overlooks those cases such as McClellan v. State, 117 Ala. 140, 23 So. 653; Harrison v. Baker, 260 Ala. 488, 71 So.2d 284; Loyd v. State, 279 Ala. 447, 186 So.2d 731; Paul v. State, 47 Ala.App. 115, 251 So.2d 246, cert. denied 287 Ala. 739, 251 So.2d 248; and Rule 33, Circuit and Inferior Court Rules of Practice, Title 7, Code of Alabama 1940, which provide that such general objection is sufficient to preserve for review matters which are illegal and irrelevant on their face.
Moreover, as noted on original deliverance, proper proof of the purported prior offense is a vital and material element of the indictment in this cause. Authorities cited on original deliverance, and Harris v. State, 54 Ala.App. 10, 304 So.2d 252.
Such proof cannot be made by the circuit clerk’s testimony, and the trial docket sheet containing the trial judge’s bench notes, as such, are merely directions to the clerk as to what judgments and orders should be entered on the court’s records. Authorities cited on original deliverance.
Further, there was no admission or concession by counsel for the appellant, as to this point, as is argued by the State.
Opinion extended, application overruled.
All the Judges concur.