Court Opinion

ID: 9725251
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 11:37:18.761298+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:25:13.004353
License: Public Domain

Dissenting Opinion
Jackson, J.
— I cannot fully agree with the conclusions reached in the majority opinion and therefore dissent thereto.
The dicta in the majority opinion,
“ ... To reason otherwise would mean that a defendant accepting a suspended sentence could, within the last few days of the term under which the sentence was suspended, violate with impunity the conditions thereof, knowing full well that he would have little or no remaining penalty to pay by the time the court machinery could be set in motion to revoke the suspension. Such a holding would encourage defendants under suspended sentence to flee and return with impunity after the probation period had run....”
is easily counter balanced by stating the converse thereof to the effect that a judge, who saw fit to do so, could by the deliberate suspension of a sentence and the equally deliberate revocation of such suspension, cause a man to spend years under threat of imprisonment for a relatively minor offense, when by the prompt imposition of a short term of imprisonment the defendant could have fully satisfied his debt to society.
*103The relator contends that there is no evidence to support a finding that the defendant had violated the terms of his suspension. The record discloses, inter alia, “[t]he court further finds that before the expiration of the six (6) months time, to-wit, on the 12th day of September, 1963, the said Gayle Wilson did violate the terms of his suspended sentence and parole, and the court further finds that the suspension should be revoked and the sentence imposed.”
The relator’s contention is correct, the record does not disclose evidence, it merely recites the conclusions of the court. The statement in the majority opinion, “[h]owever, the record shows plainly that the court did hear evidence and that the defendant was represented by counsel,” is true, but adds nothing of probative value to the opinion. The further statement “and that undoubtedly he was involved in some ‘violence, tumultuous conduct, fighting and brawling,’ ” is certainly only an assumption or inference on the part of the writer not sustained by the record before us.
Finally, I disagree with the conclusion that the relator here is denied an appeal from the judgment of the trial court imposing the new sentence. Whenever the legal rights of an individual are affected adversely by a judicial proceeding the right of review is inherent.
The trial court revoked the suspended sentence of April 1, 1963, on October 22, 1963, and on that date imposed a new sentence by the terms of which, in addition to a fine of $1,000, relator was sentenced to the Indiana State Farm for a term of six months beginning October 22, 1963. Relator seeks, in this action, a review, of the proceedings below revoking the suspension of the original sentence and the imposition of the new *104one. Relator is entitled to such review and the Writ prayed for should be issued.
Note. — Reported in 195 N. E. 2d 476.