State v. O'LEARY

393 S.E.2d 186, 302 S.C. 17, 1990 S.C. LEXIS 114

Opinion

Chandler, Justice:

Appellant, Thomas Lee O’Leary (O’Leary) pled guilty to driving under suspension (DUS) in violation of S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-460 (Supp. 1989). The trial Court permitted O’Leary to condition his guilty plea upon the right to appeal

the constitutionality of S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-360 (1976), 1 regarding notice to drivers whose licenses are suspended. This was error; we reverse.

Guilty pleas are unconditional and, if an accused attempts to attach any condition, the trial Court must direct a plea of not guilty. State v. Truesdale, 278 S.C. 368, 296 S.E. (2d) 528 (1982). It is, thus, impermissible for a defendant to preserve constitutional issues while entertaining á guilty plea; the trial Court may not accept the plea on such terms. Id.

We reverse and remand for new trial.

Reversed and remanded.

Gregory, C J., and Harwell, Finney and Toal, JJ., concur.

1 This section was amended subsequent to O’Leary’s plea by 198 No. 169, § 1, effective June 8, 1989. See, § 56-1-360 (Supp. 1989).