State v. Brill

474 P.2d 77, 81 N.M. 785
CourtNew Mexico Court of Appeals
DecidedJuly 17, 1970
Docket489
StatusPublished
Cited by7 cases

This text of 474 P.2d 77 (State v. Brill) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New Mexico Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Brill, 474 P.2d 77, 81 N.M. 785 (N.M. Ct. App. 1970).

Opinion

OPINION

WOOD, Judge.

The appeal is from a denial of post-conviction relief without a hearing. Section 21-1-1(93), N.M.S.A.1953 (Supp.1969). There are two issues: (1) whether defendant is in custody under a New Mexico sentence and (2) waiver of jury trial.

Whether defendant is in custody under a New Mexico sentence.

In Bernalillo County, in 1956, defendant pled guilty to armed robbery. He was sentenced to not less than three nor more than twenty-five years in the penitentiary. Commitment to the penitentiary was issued.

According to defendant, he was subsequently released on parole. Thereafter, he became a federal prisoner. At the time of his motion for post-conviction relief, and the order denying the motion, defendant was imprisoned in a federal penitentiary. The parties agree that New Mexico has placed a “hold” on defendant with the federal penal authorities and that in the event defendant is released from federal prison “ * * * he will be held until New Mexico authorities can return him to the New Mexico Penitentiary to continue serving the remainder of his sentence in this case.”

Section 21-1-1(93), supra, authorizes motions for post-conviction relief by one who is “ * * * in custody under sentence of a court established by the laws of New Mexico. * * * ” The trial court denied relief on the basis that defendant was not in custody under sentence of a New Mexico court. The effect of this ruling is that defendant is not in a position to seek post-conviction relief under § 21-1-1(93), supra.

The information we have concerning defendant’s New Mexico sentence is that he was released on parole and that New Mexico seeks his return so that defendant may serve the remainder of his sentence. See § 41-17-28, N.M.S.A.1953 (Repl. Vol. 6). Since we have no information indicating that defendant has been discharged from his status as a parolee, see § 41-17-30, N.M.S.A.1953 (Repl. Vol. 6), we consider whether defendant, as a parolee, was in custody under the sentence of a New Mexico court.

Section 41-17-24, N.M.S.A.1953 (Repl. Vol. 6) states: “ * * * Every prisoner while on parole shall remain in the legal custody of the institution from which he was released * * * ” Robinson v. Cox, 77 N.M. 55, 419 P.2d 253 (1966) states:

“ * * * One who is paroled is not thereby released from custody but is merely permitted to serve a portion of his sentence outside the walls of the penitentiary, * * * A paroled prisoner is not discharged from the custody of the prison authorities, but is at all times under the complete custody and control, and subject to the orders of the parole board, * * *

See also Leach v. Cox, 74 N.M. 143, 391 P.2d 649 (1964).

We have a situation then where defendant is “legally” in the custody of the New Mexico Penitentiary but is “physically” in the custody of a federal penitentiary. Section 21-1-1(93), supra, does not distinguish between legal and physical custody. We must determine whether New Mexico’s lack of physical custody of defendant bars defendant from applying for post-conviction relief under § 21-1-1(93), supra.

Our rule, § 21-1-1(93), supra, was taken from 28 U.S.C.A. § 2255. State v. Sisneros, 79 N.M. 600, 446 P.2d 875 (1968); Nance v. State, 80 N.M. 123, 452 P.2d 192 (Ct.App.1969). The interpretation of the federal statute by federal courts is persuasive of the interpretation to be given our rule. State v. Fines, 78 N.M. 737, 437 P.2d 1006 (1968); State v. Travis, 79 N.M. 307, 442 P.2d 797 (Ct.App.1968).

In Desmond v. United States Board of Parole, 397 F.2d 386 (1st Cir. 1968), cert. denied 393 U.S. 919, 89 S.Ct. 249, 21 L.Ed.2d 206 (1968), the appellant attacked a federal sentence while physically in the custody of a state prison. It was held that appellant could do so under 28 U.S.C.A. § 2255. The lack of physical custody was not a bar. See also Peyton v. Rowe, 391 U.S. 54, 88 S.Ct. 1549, 20 L.Ed. 2d 426 (1968) ; Word v. State of North Carolina, 406 F.2d 352 (4th Cir. 1969); United States v. DeMario, 246 F.Supp. 786 (E.D.Mich.1965); Reynolds v. State, 224. So.2d 769 (Fla.App. 1969). Since defendant is in legal custody under sentence of a New Mexico court he may seek post-conviction relief under § 21-1-1(93), supra. The lack of physical custody by New Mexico does not bar defendant from seeking relief under the rule.

Although the trial court erred in ruling that defendant was not in custody for the purposes of § 21-1-1(93), supra, and denied defendant’s motion on that basis, reversal is not required, unless the result reached was erroneous. See Beall v. Reidy, 80 N.M. 444, 457 P.2d 376 (1969).

Waiver of jury trial.

Defendant’s motion sought post-conviction relief because he did not have a jury trial. Defendant had a constitutional right to a jury trial. N.M.Const. Art. II, §§ 12 and 14. But this right can be waived. State v. Hernandez, 46 N.M. 134, 123 P.2d 387 (1942). Defendant asserts there is nothing in the record which shows a waiver.

We have the formal record showing that defendant acknowledged his guilt and that his plea of guilty was accepted by the court. Apart from the formal record, we do not know what took place at the time he made his guilty plea. It appears that the reporter who took down the proceedings at the time of the plea has died. The reporter’s notes have not been found. Thus, we have nothing that specifically refers to a waiver of defendant’s right to a jury trial.

Because there is no specific oral or written waiver of jury trial, defendant asserts his sentence is void. He presents five contentions.

1. Section 21-1-1(52) (A), N.M. S.A.1953 sets forth various methods by which a jury trial may be waived. None of these methods appear in the record. The fact that there is no showing of waiver under this rule is of no aid to defendant. This rule applies “in all suits of a civil nature.” Section 21-1-1(1), N.M. S.A.1953. The rule was not applicable to defendant’s criminal case.

2. Defendant relies on State ex rel. Gutierrez v. First Judicial Dist. Court, 52 N.M. 28, 191 P.2d 334 (1948) which held that a defendant could not be tried without a jury if the State refused to consent.

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State v. Brill
474 P.2d 76 (New Mexico Supreme Court, 1970)

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Bluebook (online)
474 P.2d 77, 81 N.M. 785, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-brill-nmctapp-1970.