{ "id": 8526605, "name": "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. EARL LEE HAWKINS", "name_abbreviation": "State v. Hawkins", "decision_date": "1993-07-06", "docket_number": "No. 9214SC778", "first_page": "837", "last_page": "843", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "110 N.C. App. 837" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.", "id": 14983, "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "52 S.E.2d 895", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1949, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "898" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "230 N.C. 312", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8629741 ], "year": 1949, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "315" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/230/0312-01" ] }, { "cite": "53 S.E.2d 313", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1949, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "315" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "230 N.C. 426", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8630371 ], "year": 1949, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "428" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/230/0426-01" ] }, { "cite": "89 S.E.2d 734", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1955, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "737", "parenthetical": "quoting State v. Camel, 230 N.C. 426, 428, 53 S.E.2d 313, 315 (1949)" }, { "page": "737" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "243 N.C. 28", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8619824 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1955, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "31", "parenthetical": "quoting State v. Camel, 230 N.C. 426, 428, 53 S.E.2d 313, 315 (1949)" }, { "page": "31" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/243/0028-01" ] }, { "cite": "295 S.E.2d 449", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "451" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "306 N.C. 699", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8573508 ], "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "702" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/306/0699-01" ] }, { "cite": "390 S.E.2d 129", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 4, "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "131-132" }, { "page": "132" }, { "page": "132" }, { "page": "132" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "326 N.C. 434", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 5306105 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "439" }, { "page": "439-440" }, { "page": "439" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/326/0434-01" ] }, { "cite": "190 S.E.2d 280", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1972, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "281" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "15 N.C.App. 602", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8553149 ], "year": 1972, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "603" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/15/0602-01" ] }, { "cite": "166 S.E.2d 464", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1969, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "466" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "4 N.C.App. 184", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8552271 ], "year": 1969, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "187" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/4/0184-01" ] }, { "cite": "379 S.E.2d 30", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1989, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "36-37" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "324 N.C. 373", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2483734 ], "year": 1989, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "383-384" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/324/0373-01" ] }, { "cite": "402 S.E.2d 435", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 8, "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "437" }, { "page": "438" }, { "page": "437" }, { "page": "438-439" }, { "page": "437" }, { "page": "437" }, { "page": "437" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "102 N.C.App. 434", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8524485 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "438-439" }, { "page": "438" }, { "page": "439" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/102/0434-01" ] }, { "cite": "388 S.E.2d 470", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1989, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "the substantive felony indictment need not refer to the defendant's status as an habitual felon" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "325 N.C. 712", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2491524, 2490757, 2487690, 2488241, 2492148 ], "year": 1989, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "the substantive felony indictment need not refer to the defendant's status as an habitual felon" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/325/0712-05", "/nc/325/0712-04", "/nc/325/0712-03", "/nc/325/0712-02", "/nc/325/0712-01" ] }, { "cite": "383 S.E.2d 409", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1989, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "416", "parenthetical": "the substantive felony indictment need not refer to the defendant's status as an habitual felon" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "95 N.C.App. 494", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8521620 ], "year": 1989, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "504-505", "parenthetical": "the substantive felony indictment need not refer to the defendant's status as an habitual felon" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/95/0494-01" ] }, { "cite": "326 S.E.2d 249", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "255", "parenthetical": "the substantive felony indictment need not refer to the defendant's status as an habitual felon" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "313 N.C. 110", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4721300 ], "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "120", "parenthetical": "the substantive felony indictment need not refer to the defendant's status as an habitual felon" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/313/0110-01" ] }, { "cite": "233 S.E.2d 585", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 4, "year": 1977, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "587" }, { "page": "587" }, { "page": "588" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "292 N.C. 431", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8569971 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1977, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "433" }, { "page": "435" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/292/0431-01" ] }, { "cite": "427 S.E.2d 623", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1993, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "333 N.C. 463", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2548707, 2547831, 2550268, 2547197, 2544383 ], "year": 1993, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/333/0463-03", "/nc/333/0463-04", "/nc/333/0463-05", "/nc/333/0463-02", "/nc/333/0463-01" ] }, { "cite": "423 S.E.2d 312", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "314-315" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "108 N.C.App. 127", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8522939 ], "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "131" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/108/0127-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 646, "char_count": 14713, "ocr_confidence": 0.763, "pagerank": { "raw": 4.908932979667733e-07, "percentile": 0.9339424808164491 }, "sha256": "6cb7bb8dae75e35676cac88ccec35597914fdbbc460a1e07261ec69790aee82f", "simhash": "1:e149f37a66be604c", "word_count": 2404 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T20:46:54.224272+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Judges COZORT and LEWIS concur." ], "parties": [ "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. EARL LEE HAWKINS" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JOHN, Judge.\nDefendant contends the trial court erred in sentencing him as an habitual felon because of an alleged defect in the habitual felon indictment. We agree.\nDefendant was indicted on (1) four counts of felonious breaking and entering, (2) three counts of felonious larceny, and (3) one count of being an habitual felon. The habitual felon indictment properly alleged that defendant had been convicted of three previous counts of felonious breaking or entering, but failed to allege defendant was currently charged with either felonious breaking or entering or felonious larceny. The cases came on for trial at the 18 February 1992 session of court. After a jury was selected and impaneled, defendant withdrew his not guilty pleas and entered pleas of guilty to all charges including the habitual felon indictment. This was accomplished pursuant to a plea arrangement with the State whereby it was agreed that the cases were to be consolidated for judgment and defendant would receive a fourteen year active prison sentence \u201cunder the habitual offender statute.\u201d The trial court accepted the pleas and sentenced defendant in accordance with the agreement.\nThree days later on 21 February 1992, defendant filed a motion for appropriate relief wherein he argued that the habitual felon indictment was defective because it \u201cdid not allege any underlying felonies\u201d and failed \u201cto state that the defendant was charged with separate felony charges for which the State sought to enhance the sentence of the defendant.\u201d By order entered 2 April 1992 the trial court denied this motion. On 7 April 1992 defendant filed notice of appeal from both the judgment and the order, and on 19 August 1992 filed a petition for writ of certiorari with this Court.\nI.\nWe first determine whether this Court has jurisdiction to consider defendant\u2019s appeal. In relevant part, G.S. \u00a7 15A-1444(e) provides:\nExcept as provided in subsection (al) of this section and G.S. 15A-979, and except when a motion to withdraw a plea of guilty . . . has been denied, the defendant is not entitled to appellate review as a matter of right when he has entered a plea of guilty ... to a criminal charge in the superior court, but he may petition the appellate division for review by writ of certiorari.\nBecause the trial court entered judgment upon defendant\u2019s guilty plea and none of the exceptions enumerated in G.S. \u00a7 15A-1444(e) are applicable, this Court is without jurisdiction to consider the merits of defendant\u2019s direct appeal from the original judgment. However, the trial court\u2019s denial of his motion for appropriate relief is subject to appellate review pursuant to G.S. \u00a7 15A-1422(c)(l). See G.S. \u00a7\u00a7 15A-1444(f); 15A-1448(a)(2).\nWe note also that the sole argument contained in defendant\u2019s petition for writ of certiorari is that his motion for appropriate relief should have been granted. Since we consider herein the merits of that motion, we need not examine defendant\u2019s petition and it is hereby denied. See Nobles v. First Carolina Communications Inc., 108 N.C.App. 127, 131, 423 S.E.2d 312, 314-315 (1992), disc. review denied, 333 N.C. 463, 427 S.E.2d 623 (1993).\nII.\nDefendant contends his motion for appropriate relief should have been granted because the habitual felon indictment failed to allege any of the underlying substantive felonies. An habitual felon indictment must meet the requirements of G.S. \u00a7 14-7.3 which provides in pertinent part:\nAn indictment which charges a person who is an habitual felon within the meaning of G.S. 14-7.1 with the commission of any felony . . . must . . . also charge that said person is an habitual felon. The indictment charging the defendant as an habitual felon shall be separate from the indictment charging him with the principal felony. An indictment which charges a person with being an habitual felon must set forth the date that prior felony offenses were committed, the name of the state or other sovereign against whom said felony offenses were committed, the dates that pleas of guilty were entered to or convictions returned in said felony offenses, and the identity of the court wherein said pleas or convictions took place.\nG.S. \u00a7 14-7.3 (emphasis added). This procedure contemplates two indictments: one charging the underlying substantive felony, and another charging defendant as an habitual felon. State v. Allen, 292 N.C. 431, 433, 233 S.E.2d 585, 587 (1977). Both indictments must be disposed of in the same criminal proceeding. Id. at 433-434, 233 S.E.2d at 587.\nDefendant\u2019s argument raises the following question: to what extent does G.S. \u00a7 14-7.3 require that the substantive felony indictment and the habitual felon indictment cross-reference one another? This problem has been examined in State v. Todd, 313 N.C. 110, 120, 326 S.E.2d 249, 255 (1985) (the substantive felony indictment need not refer to the defendant\u2019s status as an habitual felon); State v. Sanders, 95 N.C.App. 494, 504-505, 383 S.E.2d 409, 416, disc. review denied, 325 N.C. 712, 388 S.E.2d 470 (1989) (the substantive felony indictment need not refer to the defendant\u2019s status as an habitual felon); and State v. Moore, 102 N.C.App. 434, 402 S.E.2d 435 (1991).\nIn State v. Moore, defendant was indicted for three felonies (substantive felonies) and for being an habitual felon. The habitual felon indictment, however, referred to only two of the substantive felonies. At trial defendant (1) was convicted of only the one substantive felony not referred to in the habitual felon indictment and (2) thereafter pled guilty to being an habitual felon. State v. Moore, 102 N.C.App. at 438-439, 402 S.E.2d at 437. This Court held that it was error to sentence defendant as an habitual felon. \u201cThe felonious sale of cocaine was not alleged as [a substantive] felony in the habitual felon indictment. Accordingly, defendant did not have sufficient notice of this particular charge against him.\u201d Id. at 438, 402 S.E.2d at 437. Furthermore, this defect was not abrogated by defendant Moore\u2019s plea of guilty. Id. at 438-439, 402 S.E.2d at 437.\nIt is well settled that we are bound by prior decisions of this Court. In the matter of Appeal from Civil Penalty, 324 N.C. 373, 383-384, 379 S.E.2d 30, 36-37 (1989). Thus, in view of State v. Moore, we hold the trial court erred in denying defendant\u2019s motion for appropriate relief since the habitual felon indictment did not reference any of the underlying substantive felonies.\nIII.\nNotwithstanding any deficiencies in the habitual felon indictment, the State argues the trial court correctly concluded in its order denying defendant\u2019s motion for appropriate relief that defendant\u2019s \u201cfailure to move to have the indictment as to habitual offender status quashed or otherwise dismissed constitutes a waiver of any such defect.\u201d We are compelled to rule otherwise.\nA plea to an indictment which sufficiently charges every essential element of the offense waives mere irregularities. State v. Stallings, 4 N.C.App. 184, 187, 166 S.E.2d 464, 466 (1969); see also 17 Strong\u2019s N.C. Index 4th Indictment, Information, and Criminal Pleadings \u00a7 48 (1992). However, the general rule is that defects in an indictment \u201cwhich are of such a fundamental character as to make the indictment wholly invalid, are not subject to waiver by the accused,\u201d 41 Am. Jur.2d, Indictments and Informations, \u00a7 299 (1968), and a plea of guilty does not preclude a defendant from claiming that the facts alleged in the indictment do not constitute a crime under the laws of this state. State v. Harrington, 15 N.C.App. 602, 603, 190 S.E.2d 280, 281 (1972). While an habitual felon indictment does not charge a crime, it does charge a status which subjects a defendant to enhanced punishment. State v. Allen, 292 N.C. 431, 435, 233 S.E.2d 585, 588 (1977). Therefore, this indictment must satisfy the same requirements as other criminal indictments and must allege the essential elements of habitual felon status. See State v. Moore, 102 N.C.App. 434, 438, 402 S.E.2d 435, 437 (1991). As previously discussed, the indictment charging defendant as an habitual felon failed in this regard.\nG.S. \u00a7 15A-1022(c), moreover, provides that \u201c[tjhe j\u00fadge may not accept a plea of guilty or no contest without first determining that there is a factual basis for the plea.\u201d In State v. Moore, this Court held that because (1) defendant Moore was acquitted of the substantive felony charges alleged in the habitual felon indictment and (2) this indictment did not allege the substantive felony of which Moore was convicted, \u201cthe trial court should not have accepted defendant\u2019s plea\u201d of guilty to the habitual felon indictment in view of G.S. \u00a7 15A-1022(c). State v. Moore, 102 N.C.App. at 439, 402 S.E.2d at 437. The State v. Moore opinion contains no indication that any objection was raised or relief sought in the trial court, but rather that the validity of the habitual felon indictment was challenged only in the appeal to this Court.\nIn the case sub judice, factually very similar to State v. Moore, the habitual felon indictment failed to allege any of the underlying substantive felonies. Under State v. Moore, then, we are required to hold that the trial court should not have accepted defendant\u2019s guilty plea and, despite the lack of prior objection or motion, that defendant did not waive the material defects in the habitual felon indictment by his plea.\nIV.\nIn view of our holding that it was error to deny defendant\u2019s motion for appropriate relief, there remains the question as to disposition of this matter. This question has, in part, been answered by our Supreme Court. It is proper to arrest judgment, ex mero motu, when it is apparent that no judgment could lawfully be entered because of some fatal defect appearing in the criminal charge (the information, warrant or indictment). State v. Pakulski, 326 N.C. 434, 439, 390 S.E.2d 129, 131-132 (1990). Where an indictment contains some fatal flaw, but nonetheless results in a conviction, the reviewing court must arrest the judgment. State v. McGaha, 306 N.C. 699, 702, 295 S.E.2d 449, 451 (1982). Accordingly, we arrest the judgment predicated upon defendant\u2019s plea of guilty to the habitual felon indictment.\nThe habitual felon indictment, however, was consolidated with the underlying substantive felonies for purposes of judgment. \u201cWhere two or more indictments or counts are consolidated for the purpose of judgment, and a single judgment is pronounced thereon, even though the plea of guilty or conviction on one is sufficient to support the judgment and the trial thereon is free from error, the award of a new trial on the other indictment(s) or count(s) requires that the cause be remanded for proper judgment on the valid count. \u2018Presumably this (the single judgment) was based upon consideration of guilt on both charges.\u2019 \u201d State v. Stonestreet, 243 N.C. 28, 31, 89 S.E.2d 734, 737 (1955) (quoting State v. Camel, 230 N.C. 426, 428, 53 S.E.2d 313, 315 (1949)). We therefore remand for entry of proper judgment as regards those offenses wherein there appears no error. See State v. Pakulski, 326 N.C. 434, 439-440, 390 S.E.2d 129, 132 (1990); State v. Stonestreet, 243 N.C. at 31, 89 S.E.2d at 737; State v. Braxton, 230 N.C. 312, 315, 52 S.E.2d 895, 898 (1949).\nWhile not necessary for the resolution of defendant\u2019s appeal, in the interests of time and justice we note the State may elect upon remand to try defendant as an habitual felon upon a subsequent indictment proper in form, and in accordance with procedures approved in State v. Allen, 292 N.C. 431, 233 S.E.2d 585 (1977). When judgment is arrested due to some fatal flaw appearing on the face of the record, such as a substantive error in the indictment, the verdict is vacated and the State must seek a new indictment if it elects to proceed again. State v. Pakulski, 326 N.C. at 439, 390 S.E.2d at 132. \u201c \u2018The granting of a motion in arrest of judgment does not operate as an acquittal but only places the defendant in the same situation in which he was before the prosecution was begun.\u2019 \u201d Id. at 439, 390 S.E.2d at 132 (quoting 21 Am. Jur.2d Criminal Law \u00a7 524 (1981)).\nIn summary, we hold:\nAs to 91CRS21116, judgment arrested.\nAs to 91CRS18593, 18594, 18796, 18797, remanded.\nJudges COZORT and LEWIS concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "JOHN, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Attorney General Lacy H. Thornburg, by Special Deputy Attorney General Jacob L. Safron, for the State.", "Public Defender Robert Brown, Jr. for defendant appellant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. EARL LEE HAWKINS\nNo. 9214SC778\n(Filed 6 July 1993)\n1. Appeal and Error \u00a7\u00a7 75, 141 (NCI4th)\u2014 guilty plea \u2014 denial of appropriate relief \u2014 appealability\nThe Court of Appeals was without jurisdiction to consider the merits of defendant\u2019s direct appeal from the original judgment where the judgment was entered upon defendant\u2019s guilty plea and none of the exceptions in N.C.G.S. \u00a7 15A-1444(e) are applicable. However, the trial court\u2019s denial of defendant\u2019s motion for appropriate relief is subject to appellate review pursuant to N.C.G.S. \u00a7 15A-1422(c)(l).\nAm Jur 2d, Appeal and Error \u00a7 271.\n2. Criminal Law \u00a7 1283 (NCI4th)\u2014 habitual felon indictment \u2014 failure to allege current felonies\nAn habitual felon indictment was invalid where it failed to allege any of the underlying substantive felonies with which defendant was currently charged.\nAm Jur 2d, Habitual Criminals and Subsequent Offenders \u00a7\u00a7 20, 21; Indictments and Informations \u00a7 197.\n3. Indictment, Information, and Criminal Pleadings \u00a7 48 (NCI4th) \u2014 material defects in indictment \u2014 no waiver by guilty plea without motion or objection\nDefendant did not waive material defects in an habitual felon indictment by entering his plea of guilty without making a motion to quash or otherwise objecting to the indictment, and the trial court should not have accepted defendant\u2019s guilty plea to the defective indictment. N.C.G.S. \u00a7 15A-1022(c).\nAm Jur 2d, Indictments and Informations \u00a7\u00a7 281, 299.\n4. Criminal Law \u00a7 980 (NCI4th)\u2014 consolidation of convictions for judgment \u2014arrest of judgment on one conviction \u2014remand of other cases for proper judgment\nJudgment predicated upon defendant\u2019s plea of guilty to an invalid habitual felon indictment is arrested. However, where the habitual felon indictment was consolidated with the underlying substantive felonies for judgment, and no error appears with regard to those felonies, the case must be remanded for proper judgment on the valid convictions even though those convictions would support the judgment entered.\nAm Jur 2d, Criminal Law \u00a7 524.\nAppeal by defendant from judgment entered 18 February 1992 and from order entered 2 April 1992 by Judge Henry W. Hight, Jr. in Durham County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 22 March 1993.\nAttorney General Lacy H. Thornburg, by Special Deputy Attorney General Jacob L. Safron, for the State.\nPublic Defender Robert Brown, Jr. for defendant appellant." }, "file_name": "0837-01", "first_page_order": 867, "last_page_order": 873 }