State v. Perez

442 P.2d 125, 7 Ariz. App. 567, 1968 Ariz. App. LEXIS 443
CourtCourt of Appeals of Arizona
DecidedJune 7, 1968
Docket2 CA-CR 104
StatusPublished
Cited by8 cases

This text of 442 P.2d 125 (State v. Perez) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Arizona primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Perez, 442 P.2d 125, 7 Ariz. App. 567, 1968 Ariz. App. LEXIS 443 (Ark. Ct. App. 1968).

Opinion

KRUCKER, Judge.

Appellant, Manuel Rosas Perez, hereinafter referred to as the defendant, was tried and convicted of the crime of receiving stolen goods, knowing them to. have been stolen, in violation of A.R.S. § 13— 621, subsec. A. This is an appeal from the verdict, judgment of the conviction, from denial of a motion for a new trial, denial of a motion to suppress evidence, refusal to declare a mistrial, for a directed verdict, to dismiss, and from a denial of a motion to quash the information. The information was filed on June 4, 1964 and the final brief was filed in this court April 12, 1968.

Defendant had purchased two television sets and received a third set, all of which were proved at trial to have been stolen. One set was left at the home of a friend of the defendant’s, at whose home defendant had obtained the TV sets from total strangers. On May 16, 1964 defendant departed for Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, with two sets in the friend’s truck which he had borrowed. On the way, he was stopped for a traffic violation by a Tucson police officer. Observing the clearly visible TV sets in the pickup truck and being aware of recent thefts of television sets, the officer, without placing the defendant under arrest, called for a Spanish-speaking detective unit from the Tucson Police Department. One of the detectives also observed the television sets in plain sight in the truck and made inquiry of the defendant respecting the sets. Defendant responded by stating that the sets were his, that he had gotten them from a friend’s home, and that he was taking them to Mexico, but he had no proof of ownership of the sets. Defendant was asked if he would accompany the detectives to headquarters to ascertain if the sets were stolen, and defendant agreed to do so and accompanied the detectives to headquarters where it was ascertained that the sets were stolen. The defendant was then placed under arrest for receiving stolen property and was immediately advised of his constitutional rights. Defendant then stated that he thought the sets must have been stolen when he bought • them as the price he paid was so cheap. The police then obtained a search warrant . for the friend’s house and upon searching, discovered the third TV set which defen- . dant had left there and which was also proved to have been stolen.

*569 Defendant’s brief sets up six assignments of error and six propositions of law, although assignments of error and propositions of law were abolished by Rule 5(b) § 7, and the deletion of Rule 5(b) § 8, Rules of the Supreme Court, 17 A.R.S., as amended. We will, however, consider this appeal on the merits and the questions raised by the defendant.

The first question raised claims error in ■denial of defendant’s motion to dismiss and failure to prosecute within a 60-day period in violation of Rule 236, Rules of Criminal Procedure, 17 A.R.S. There is clearly no merit to this contention. Information was filed in superior court on June 4, 1964. A motion to quash the information was filed June 14, 1964 and a motion to suppress evidence was filed June 15, 1964. Both motions were denied. Defendant filed a motion for continuance September 24, 1964 on the grounds defendant was hospitalized and would be on the set trial date, October 7, 1964. There were eight stipulations filed by counsel for continuance and to vacate trial settings and reset the case, all of which were done by written stipulation and signed court orders. Defendant also filed a motion for continuance, which was granted, and the trial was finally held on November 22, 1966.

We find no merit to defendant’s contention. All of the delays and continuances were with defendant’s consent or by defendant’s action. Rule 236, Rules of Criminal Procedure, states:

“* * * if he is not brought to trial for the offense within sixty days after the indictment has been found or the information filed, the prosecution shall be dismissed upon the application of such person * * * unless the action has not proceeded to trial because of the defendant’s consent or by his action.” (Emphasis supplied.)

Also see, Hernandez v. State, 40 Ariz. 200, 11 P.2d 356 (1932).

At the arraignment on June 4, 1964 the defendant expressly waived the right to be tried within 60 days.

Defendant’s second contention, that the court erred in refusing to suppress evidence as the result of illegal procedure fails as to the search of the truck. The TV sets in the truck were clearly visible and were not found by a search of the truck and could not have been obtained by unreasonable search and seizure. See, State v. Turner, 101 Ariz. 85, 416 P.2d 409 (1966); Ruiz v. State, 32 Ariz. 121, 246 P. 362 (1927); State v. Taylor, 2 Ariz.App. 314, 408 P.2d 418 (1965). As to the search of the friend’s house, it was conducted pursuant to a valid search warrant and there is nothing in the record to indicate that the TV sets recovered from the house were obtained in violation of appellant’s constitutional rights. The TV set found in the house was positively identified as having been found there and having been stolen. There is no question of consent to the alleged “search” as the TV sets introduced in evidence were obtained by the police lawfully and with defendant’s consent.

Defendant next contends that the statements he gave to the police officers when he was stopped were elicited in violation of his constitutional rights and were improperly admitted into evidence. The only questionable testimony given relative to defendant’s statements about the television sets was that of the police officer who spoke to defendant at the place where his truck was stopped. The officer testified that defendant said the sets were his, that he had no receipts, bills of sale, nor any proof of ownership, and that he was going to Mexico. All of the above conversation took place before the officer informed defendant of his right to remain silent and his right to counsel.

We hold that the principles of Miranda v. State of Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966) do not operate to render these statements inadmissible. Defendant was detained only because the police officer felt that the situation required investigation. Defendant was questioned very briefly and his answers were uncoerced and voluntary. We do not believe this constitutes custodial in *570 terrogation within the dictates of Miranda. Green v. United States, 234 A.2d 177 (D.C. App.1967). At the very most, this was a preliminary inquiry into an unsolved theft. The accusatory stage had not been reached at the time defendant stated the sets were his. People v. Peterson, Cal.App., 59 Cal. Rptr. 694 (1967). In State v. Tellez, 6 Ariz.App. 251, 431 P.2d 691 (1967), this court:

“[In Miranda and Escobedo] in which the rules on constitutional rights are developed, the crime was known, but the culprit was indistinct.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Padilla v. SUPERIOR COURT OF ARIZONA, ETC.
652 P.2d 561 (Court of Appeals of Arizona, 1982)
State v. Hall
376 So. 2d 276 (District Court of Appeal of Florida, 1979)
State v. Wyman
547 P.2d 531 (Idaho Supreme Court, 1976)
State Ex Rel. Berger v. Cantor
479 P.2d 432 (Court of Appeals of Arizona, 1970)
State v. Navallez
457 P.2d 297 (Court of Appeals of Arizona, 1969)
State v. Curtis
455 P.2d 988 (Court of Appeals of Arizona, 1969)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
442 P.2d 125, 7 Ariz. App. 567, 1968 Ariz. App. LEXIS 443, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-perez-arizctapp-1968.