Court Opinion

ID: 9607570
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 02:59:58.141337+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:28:33.541805
License: Public Domain

NOBLE, Justice (concurring specially). I concur in the result reached by the majority and with the opinion as far as it goes. However, in my view, a determination that failure to prove venue is waived by not making a timely objection only partly resolves the question presented by the failure of the prosecution to establish that the offense was committed within the corporate limits of the City of Roswell. In addition to venue, the question also presents the contention of failure of the proof to support the verdict of guilt. Venue is merely the geographic division where a cause or prosecution must be brought and tried. Bledsoe v. State, 223 Ind. 675, 64 N.E.2d 160. It, however, is a privilege which may be lost by failure to assert it seasonably. State v. Shroyer, 49 N.M. 196, 160 P.2d 444. In the case of an alleged violation of a state statute, venue means the county or unit designated by law for prosecuting an offense against the state. State v. Hilliker, 117 Vt. 569, 97 A.2d 119. The charge here is the violation of a municipal criminal ordinance. Even though the acts, if committed within the corporate limits, would violate the ordinance, the same acts done outside the municipality would not be a violation of the municipal law. It follows that the guilt of the defendant can only be established by proof that the acts were done within the corporate limits. But, the objection that there was insufficient evidence to support the verdict comes too late and cannot be considered on appeal where the failure of proof of guilt was not called to the attention of the trial court by an appropriate motion. State v. Garcia, 19 N.M. 414, 143 P. 1012. See also, Brown v. People, 120 Colo. 493, 210 P.2d 837. I agree that the judgment appealed from should be affirmed.