{ "id": 8614264, "name": "STATE v. JACK SUDDRETH", "name_abbreviation": "State v. Suddreth", "decision_date": "1943-11-24", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "610", "last_page": "616", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "223 N.C. 610" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "221 N. C., 252", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8627382 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/221/0252-01" ] }, { "cite": "222 N. C., 600", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8631551 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/222/0600-01" ] }, { "cite": "222 N. C., 356", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8630375 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/222/0356-01" ] }, { "cite": "219 N. C., 365", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8623660 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/219/0365-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 633, "char_count": 17224, "ocr_confidence": 0.484, "pagerank": { "raw": 5.137235408984477e-07, "percentile": 0.9390707720797622 }, "sha256": "3fff327cb1b4483e70ac0830d548ec2773bab68acbf80c4662ae33e9c6cf4c50", "simhash": "1:95f3d74e368e71f0", "word_count": 2983 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T18:13:50.990749+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "STATE v. JACK SUDDRETH." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "WinborNE, J.\nTbe record on this appeal fails to support defendant\u2019s exceptive assignment to tbe denial of bis motion to quasb tbe bill of indictment for that, while bis appeal from a judgment of Recorder\u2019s Court upon warrant charging unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor for tbe purpose of sale on 25 December, 1942, was pending in Superior Court, that court did not have jurisdiction to try him on a bill of indictment, of latter date than tbe warrant, charging tbe same offense. Tbe record contains nothing to show that tbe offenses are tbe same. There is no admission or finding of fact to this effect, and tbe fact that both tbe warrant and tbe bill of indictment charge that tbe offense took place on 25 December, 1942, is not sufficient to indicate tbe identity of offense as a matter of law. Time is not of tbe essence of tbe offense, and tbe exact time need not be specified in the bill of indictment. C. S., 4625; S. v. Williams, 219 N. C., 365, 13 S. E. (2d), 617; S. v. Moore, 222 N. C., 356, 23 S. E. (2d), 31; S. v. Trippe, 222 N. C., 600, 24 S. E. (2d), 340. Hence, tbe record fails to present conflict of jurisdiction between tbe Recorder\u2019s Court under C. S., 1567, and tbe Superior Court under C. S., 1437. Furthermore, while tbe record shows that motion to quasb was made \u201cbefore any evidence was offered,\u201d it is not clear that tbe motion was made before plea of not guilty was entered. If not made before such plea, tbe motion is addressed to discretion of tbe trial court, and is not reviewable on appeal. S. v. Gibson, 221 N. C., 252, 20 S. E. (2d), 51.\nDefendant\u2019s challenge to tbe ruling of tbe court below in denying bis motions for judgment as in case of nonsuit, C. S., 4643, presents for determination two basic questions : First: Where a person, tbe defendant in this case, has in bis possession so-called tax-paid intoxicating liquors in quantity not in excess of one gallon, that is, alcoholic beverages of such quantity \u201cupon which taxes imposed by tbe laws of Congress of tbe United States or by tbe laws of this State\u201d have been paid, in bis private dwelling in a county in which tbe sale of such intoxicating liquors is not authorized under and by virtue of chapter 49, Public Laws 1937, called tbe Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, nothing else appearing, is such possession now prima facie evidence that such intoxicating liquors are possessed by such person for tbe purpose of being sold?\nThis is tbe first time that this question has been so squarely presented to this Court as to require a decision on it. However, we are of opinion and bold that, in so far as applicable to such factual situation, such prima facie rule of evidence, prescribed by 3 C. S., 3411 (j), section 10 of tbe Turlington Act, chapter 1, Public Laws of 1923, is in irreconcilable conflict with tbe provisions of tbe Act of tbe General Assembly of 1937, entitled \u201cAn Act to Provide for tbe Manufacture, Sale and Control of Alcoholic Beverages in North Carolina,\u201d chapter 49, Public Laws 1937, and, to such extent, is repealed thereby.\nAt the time of the enactment of the 1937 Act, chapter 49, there were certain statutes in effect in this State which are pertinent to be considered in ascertaining what the Legislature intended by the provisions of the Act, from a State-wide standpoint. Section 3379 of Consolidated Statutes declared that it is unlawful for any pei-son to have or keep in possession, for the purpose of sale, any spirituous liquor, and that proof of the possession of more than one gallon of such liquors at any one time shall constitute prima facie evidence of the violation of this section. Section 3411 (b) of 3 Consolidated Statutes of 1924, section 1 of the Turlington Act, chapter 1, Public Laws 1923, declared that \u201cno person shall manufacture, sell, barter, transport, import, export, deliver, furnish, purchase, or possess any intoxicating liquor except as authorized in this article . . .\u201d And, although section 3411 (j) of 3 Consolidated Statutes of 1924, section 10 of the Turlington Act, chapter 1, Public Laws 1923, provided that \u201cit shall not be unlawful to possess liquor in one\u2019s private dwelling while the same is occupied and used by him.as his dwelling only, provided such liquor is for use only for the personal consumption of the owner thereof, and his family residing in such dwelling, and of his bona fide guests when entertained by him therein,\u201d it also provided that \u201cthe possession of liquor by any person not legally permitted under this article to possess liquor shall be prima facie evidence that, such liquor is kept for the purpose of being sold, bartered, exchanged, given away, furnished, or otherwise disposed of in violation of the provisions of this article.\u201d The only other provision of the Turlington Act relating to lawful possession pertained to wine for sacramental purposes.\nWith knowledge of the statutes, and of strict application and liberal construction of the same in the decisions of the courts \u201cto the end that the use of intoxicating liquor as a beverage may be prevented,\u201d the State\u2019s policy expressly declared in the Turlington Act of 1923, 3 C. S., 3411 (b), the General Assembly of 1937 in enacting chapter 49 of Public Laws of that year, declared: \u201cSection 1. That the purpose and intent of this Act is to establish a system of control of the sale of certain alcoholic beverages in North Carolina, and to provide the administrative features of the same, in such manner as to insure, as far as possible, the proper administration of the sale of certain alcoholic beverages under a uniform system throughout the State.\u201d As a part of this system provision is made for the operation of stores in counties coming under the provisions of the Act, at which alcoholic beverages may be bought legally. And in section 14 it is declared that \u201cit shall not be unlawful for any person to transport a quantity of alcoholic beverages not in excess of one gallon from a county in North Carolina coming under the provisions of this Act to or through another county in North Carolina not coming under the provisions of this Act: Provided, said alcoholic beverages are not being transported for the purposes of sale, and provided further, that the cap or seal on the container or containers of said alcoholic beverages has not been opened or broken . . Moreover, in section 22, it is provided that \u201cit shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, to purchase in, or to bring in this State, any alcoholic beverage from any source, except from a county store operated in accordance with this Act, except a person may purchase legally outside of, this State and bring into the same for his personal use not more than one gallon of such alcoholic beverage . . And in section 27, it is declared that certain laws passed in 1935, not pertinent here, and \u201call other laws and clauses of laws in conflict herewith to the extent of such conflict are hereby repealed.\u201d And in this Act of 1937, chapter 49, no reference is made to the provision of 3 C. S., 3411 (j), as to it not being unlawful to possess liquor in one\u2019s private dwelling, etc., as above quoted. And, albeit no express reference is made to the provisions of that part of section 3, C. S., 3411 (j), section 10 of the Turlington Act, Public Laws 1923, chapter 1, relative to the prima facie rule of evidence, quoted above, the express provisions of the Act present an irreconcilable conflict therewith. To summarize, the Legislature has said in this Act of 1937, chapter 49, that it is lawful (a) to purchase intoxicating beverages from a county store operated in accordance with the provisions of the act, and (b) if the transportation of such alcoholic beverages be not for purpose of sale, to transport a quantity of same not in excess of one gallon from a county coming under the provisions of the Act to or through another county in North Carolina not coming under the provisions of the Act, and (c) to bring into the State for personal use not more than one gallon of alcoholic beverages purchased legally outside of the State. These provisions are subjective in character, and harmonize with the prima facie rule of evidence as to possession of more than one gallon of spirituous liquors as contained in O. S., 3379. But to give general effect to the prima facie rule of evidence set out in 3 C. S., 3411 (j), would be to hold that, although the Legislature has by this 1937 Act legalized the sale of alcoholic beverages to a person at authorized stores, and although it has legalized the transportation of such alcoholic beverages by him \u201cto or through\u201d any county in this State, and although it has not repealed that provision of 3 C. S., 3411 (j), which says that it is not unlawful for him to possess intoxicating liquor in his private dwelling while the same is occupied and used by him as his dwelling only, for his personal consumption, and that of his family residing in such dwelling, and his Toona fide guests when entertained by bim therein, the possession of any such intoxicating liquors or alcoholic beverages is \"prima facie evidence\u201d that such person keeps same \u201cfor the purpose of being sold, bartered, exchanged, given away, furnished, or otherwise disposed of in violation of the provisions\u201d of the Turlington Act, Public Laws 1923, chapter 1.\nTo accept this construction is to attribute to the Legislature the intention to make it lawful for a person to purchase, transport and possess in his home for the purposes mentioned, not more than one gallon of .intoxicating liquors or alcoholic beverages, and, at the same time, to make the possession of it evidence of his guilt of a criminal offense for which, upon charges being preferred, he may be convicted by a jury and subjected to punishment therefor. We cannot assume that the Legislature had any such inconsistent and conflicting intentions. It is not ours to make the law. That is legislative. It is ours to interpret the law as the Legislature enacts it.\nThe second basic question: Holding as we do hereinabove on the first basic question, are the facts and circumstances of such possession of such quantity of tax-paid intoxicating liquors as disclosed by the evidence in the record on this appeal, taken in the light most favorable to the State, sufficient to take the case to the jury on the issue arising upon the count charging unlawful possession of intoxicating liquors for the purpose of sale? The answer is No. All the evidence tends to show that defendant and his wife and children lived upstairs in the building where the whiskey was found and there is no evidence that the upstairs room was used for any other purpose. Five pints of the tax-paid liquor were found there. And there is no sufficient evidence to connect defendant with the possession of the other pint found at the back door of the store \u2014 the fair inference being that it was put there by another, for whose acts the evidence fails to show defendant to be responsible. In' absence of other circumstances, the size of the containers and the manner in which the bottles were kept is not evidence of possession for purpose of sale, and do not justify an inference of guilt.\nFor reasons stated, the motion of defendant for judgment as in case of nonsuit should have been sustained. Hence, the judgment is\nReversed.", "type": "majority", "author": "WinborNE, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "Attorney-General McMullan and Assistant Attorneys-General Patton and Rhodes for the State.", "W. H. Striclcland for defendant, appellant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "STATE v. JACK SUDDRETH.\n(Filed 24 November, 1943.)\n1. Courts, Superior \u00a7\u00a7 lb, lc: Intoxicating Liquor \u00a7 9a\u2014\nWhile an appeal from conviction in a Recorder\u2019s Court upon a warrant, charging unlawful possession on a certain date of intoxicating liquors for the purpose of sale, was pending in the Superior Court, that Court had jurisdiction to try the defendant on a bill of indictment of a later date charging the same offense, where the record contains nothing to show that the offenses are identical. Time is not of the essence and need not be specified in the indictment, C. S., 4625. And there is no conflict of jurisdiction between the Recorder\u2019s Court under C. S., 1567, and the Superior Court under O. S., 1437.\n\u2022 2. Indictment \u00a7 12: Appeal and Error \u00a7 37b\u2014\nIf a motion to quash is not made before a plea of not guilty, the motion is addressed to the discretion of the trial court and is not reviewable on appeal.\n3. Intoxicating Liquors \u00a7 4d\u2014\nWhere a person has in his possession tax-paid intoxicating liquors in quantity not in excess of one gallon, in his private dwelling in a county in which the sale of such intoxicating liquors is not authorized by eh. 49, Public Laws 1937, nothing else appearing, such possession is not now prima facie evidence that such intoxicants are so possessed for the purpose of sale under O. S., 3411 (j).\n4. Intoxicating Liquors \u00a7 9d\u2014\nIn a criminal prosecution for the unlawful possession of intoxicating liquors for the purpose of sale, where all the evidence tended to show that accused had concealed in the apartment occupied as a residence by himself and family, above a store operated by him, five pints of tax-paid liquor, the seals on which had not been broken, and a sixth pint was found by officers at the back door of the store, where an unknown person was seen to \u201cset something down,\u201d and some empty bottles, apparently wine bottles, were also found in the store, motion of defendant for judgment of nonsuit, C. S., 4643, should have been sustained.\nAppeal by defendant from Pless, J., at 22 February Term, 1943, of Caldwell.\nDefendant was tried and found guilty in Recorder\u2019s Court of Caldwell County on 19 January, 1943, upon warrant sworn out 2 January, 1943, charging defendant with unlawful possession on 25 December, 1942, of \u201ca quantity of intoxicating liquors for the purpose of sale.\u201d Judgment of the court was that defendant be confined in the common jail of Caldwell County for a period of six months, and assigned to work on the roads under the control and supervision of the State Highway and Public Works Commission, to be suspended upon payment of a fine of $50.00 and costs. Defendant appealed therefrom to Superior Court of Caldwell County.\nAt February Term, 1943, of Superior Court of Caldwell County, a bill of indictment was' found by the grand jury charging defendant in separate counts with (1) \u201cunlawful possession of intoxicating liquors for purpose of sale,\u201d (2) unlawful possession of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes, (3) unlawful transportation of intoxicating liquors, (4) unlawful sale of intoxicating liquors, and (5) unlawful purchase of intoxicating liquors, all on 25 December, 1942. At said term of Superior Court defendant pleaded not guilty and moved to quash the bill of indictment on the ground that as this is a ease on appeal from the Recorder\u2019s Court, a court with final jurisdiction, it should be tried on the warrant and not upon a bill of indictment. Motion denied. Exception by defendant.\nAnd on the trial in Superior Court upon the bill of indictment evidence for the State tends to show these facts: Defendant has a store on the ground floor and he, his wife and two children live upstairs over the grocery store in a certain building in Caldwell County. On 20 December, 1942, officers of that county, armed with a warrant therefor, searched the premises of defendant for intoxicating liquor. While searching was going on defendant was downstairs in the grocery department, but he went upstairs while officers were there. His wife and his children were there, his wife upstairs in the living quarters, and two men were downstairs in the. store. Five pints of bottled in bond tax-paid liquor, two pints of which were stuck in behind the seat of the settee, two pints in the back or behind the seat of the upholstered chair, and one pint between the mattress and springs of a bed were found upstairs in the living quarters. The seals had not been broken. A sixth pint was found at the back door where one of two men in the store was seen to stoop and \u201cset something down.\u201d While the evidence fails to show whether the man set it down, or whether the seal on it was broken, it does show that it too was tax-paid whiskey. The officers saw some empty bottles there, and Officer Goble testified: \u201cI saw some empty bottles. I can\u2019t tell whether they were whiskey bottles or not. The ones I saw looked more like wine bottles. I don\u2019t know whether he sells wine or not. I smelled of several of the bottles but couldn\u2019t tell exactly whether the odor was whiskey or not. It was just a kind of sour smell. . . . The bottles I saw were wine bottles.\u201d\nMotions for judgment as of nonsuit were overruled. C. S., 4643. Defendant excepted.\nThe court submitted the case to the jury only upon the count charging-defendant with unlawful possession of intoxicating liquors for purpose of sale.\nVerdict: Guilty.\nJudgment: That defendant pay a fine of $100.00 and costs, and be confined in the common jail of Caldwell County for a period of twelve months and assigned to work under supervision and control of State Highway and Public Works Commission, the sentence being suspended upon conditions named. Defendant moved in arrest of judgment.\nDefendant appealed to Supreme Court and assigns error.\nAttorney-General McMullan and Assistant Attorneys-General Patton and Rhodes for the State.\nW. H. Striclcland for defendant, appellant." }, "file_name": "0610-01", "first_page_order": 662, "last_page_order": 668 }