Dunlap v. State

202 N.E.2d 883, 246 Ind. 95, 1964 Ind. LEXIS 277
Indiana Supreme Court·Decided December 17, 1964·No. No. 0-675·Published

Opinion

Arterburn, C. J.

In our opinion of October 7, 1964 we cited the Public Defender to show cause why he should not represent the petitioner. Petitioner stated he had been previously sentenced in May, 1956 on a conviction of the crime of forgery to a period of two to fourteen years in the Indiana State Prison. He further stated he is a pauper and unable to employ counsel. He further stated that when he pleaded guilty he was denied counsel and that the judge “failed and neglected to advise petitioner that he was entitled by law to be represented by competent counsel at public expense” and that the “aforesaid court did purposely and unlawfully deny this petitioner his constitutional rights”. He further stated that the Public Defender had refused to represent him.

The Public Defender has filed his answer to the show cause ruling. With it he files a transcript taken in shorthand at the time the petitioner was arraigned and pleaded guilty. This transcript plainly shows that this petitioner, in our opinion, has deliberately misstated the facts and committed a fraud upon this Court in the petition herein filed. Part of the colloquy between the [97] court and the petitioner at the time he was arraigned and prior to his plea is as follows:

“Q. Do you want an attorney appointed by the court to counsel with and represent you before you are arraigned?
“A. No, sir. I just want to plead guilty and be on the mercy of the court.
“Q. Well, now the question is ‘do you want an attorney appointed by the court to counsel with and represent you before you are arraigned’. Just answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
“A. No, sir.
“Q. Your answer to that question then is ‘no’?
“A. Yes.
“THE COURT: Before reading the charge to you and asking you how you wish to plead, the Court instructs you that the charge against you is a felony, and the penalty as fixed by the legislature as follows:
(Here the statute fixing the crime is read to the petitioner.)
“The Constitution of the State of Indiana provides: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have the right to a public trial, by an impartial jury, in the county in which the offense shall have been committed; to be heard by himself and counsel; to demand the nature and cause of the accusation against him, and to have a copy thereof; to meet the witnesses face to face; and to have a compulsory process for obtaining witness in his favor.
“No person, in any criminal prosecution, shall be compelled to testify against himself.
“Q. Do you wish to have a copy of the affidavit in this cause?
“A. No, sir.
“Q. Has anyone made any promises to you or threatened you to induce you to plead either guilty or not guilty?
“A. No. sir.
“THE COURT: If you plead not guilty, you are [98] entitled to a hearing and trial as quickly as it can be done without unreasonable or unnecessary delay.
“Q. Are you now ready to be arraigned ?
“A. Yes, sir.
“THE COURT: All right. You will stand up and listen to the reading of the affidavit, Read the affidavit, Clerk.
(Here affidavit read)
“Q. Do you fully understand the charge or allegations contained in the affidavit that has been read to you?
“A. Yes, sir.
“Q. This affidavit, having been read to you, are you ready now to plead ?
“A. Yes.
“Q. How do you plead, guilty or not guilty?
“A. Guilty, sir.
“THE COURT: All right. You may be seated. Now, Mr. Prosecutor, do you desire to make an opening statement to the court about this cause — I don’t know anything at all about it.
“DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY: May it please the Court, in this particular case, the State versus Robert Dunlap, it was called to the Sheriff’s attention on Monday, May 7th that a check had been passed and was not acceptable to the Vevay Deposit Bank of which the maker was Robert Benger. After investigation by the Sheriff’s Department, a preliminary charge of Forgery was filed against the defendant in this case, and during that time the defendant admitted that he had forged Robert Benger’s name upon the check which I herein submit to the Court. Upon this admission and further investigation by the Sheriff’s Department, it was disclosed that there’s five checks that he signed Robert Benger’s name to and it has further come to the Sheriff’s attention that here again is another defendant that Ohio County is looking for on a charge of Forgery up there on another check that he made up there in that county. This defendant is some[99] what prone to use other people’s names on checks. He is also inclined to indulge in intoxicating beverages, for which there is also an affidavit in the M.P.’ court, for which he is now out on recognizance bond. It is the State’s recommendation in this case that the best recommendation is to sentence him. I have no further.
“Q. Why, Mr. Dunlap, can you explain to the court how you ever got yourself in a mess like this?
“A. Yes, sir. I got to drinkin’ and got with some other guys and started out on a binge.
“Q. How many checks did you issue here in this county on somebody else?
“A. I don’t know just exactly. I paid them or will pay them. I don’t want to cheat anybody.
“Q. Don’t you know it’s against the law to sign other people’s names to a check?
“A. Yes, sir.
“Q. Did you make this check here good ?
“A. I could.
“Q. I say, did you?
“A. No, sir, but I can.
“Q. How about this check in Ohio County?
“A. I don’t remember anything about that one.
“THE COURT. On the 9th day of May, 1956, after being instructed by the court of your constitutional rights and your right to be represented by an attorney, an affidavit was read in which you were charged with the crime of Forgery.
“Q. Have you now any legal reason why the court should not pronounce sentence upon you?
“A. No, sir. I’d just like to plead guilty and put myself on the mercy of the Court., I think I can straighten up if I can get some treatment for this drinkin’.
“THE COURT. Well, the Court will recommend treatment for you, Mr. Dunlap.

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Dunlap v. State, 202 N.E.2d 883, 246 Ind. 95, 1964 Ind. LEXIS 277 (Ind. 1964).

202 N.E.2d 883 (Dunlap v. State) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.