Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Wardell ROBINSON v. STATE.
The appellant, Wardell Robinson, pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary. The appellant was sentenced to either a five- or six-year term of imprisonment and was ordered to pay $100 in a victims compensation assessment and $710 in restitution, to submit to DNA testing, and to have no further contact with the victim. Although the transcript of the sentencing hearing indicates that the trial judge sentenced the appellant to six years' imprisonment, the judge's written order indicates that he sentenced the appellant to five years. This Court stated in Duncan v. State, 587 So.2d 1260, 1264 (Ala.Cr.App.1991):
“ ‘It is well settled that recitals in the judgment [entry] import absolute verity, unless contradicted by other portions of the record.’ Harper v. City of Troy, 467 So.2d 269, 272 (Ala.Cr.App.1985); Traylor v. State, 466 So.2d 185, 188 (Ala.Cr.App.1985). In this case, the judgment entries are contradicted by the court reporter's transcript. Where such a conflict exists, the Court must ‘remand the[e] cause to the trial court with directions to resolve the conflict. ․’ Ebens v. State, 518 So.2d 1264, 1269 (Ala.Cr.App.1986).”
Because of the conflict between the judgment entry and the court reporter's transcript, we must remand this case to the trial court to determine the appellant's actual sentence.
The appellant's counsel, in compliance with Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967), has filed an appellate brief in which he states that, after a thorough and conscientious review of the record of the proceedings, he believes that an appeal would be frivolous and without merit. A review of the record discloses no issue that warrants this Court's consideration.
The appellant's counsel found that there may be arguable issues that the appellant may want to bring before this Court, namely, whether the circuit court complied with Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238, 89 S.Ct. 1709, 23 L.Ed.2d 274 (1969), ensuring that the appellant's guilty plea was made knowingly and voluntarily. However, the record, including the transcript of the guilty plea hearing and the Ireland form, indicates that the appellant's guilty plea was made knowingly and voluntarily. Therefore, his conviction is due to be affirmed. The case is remanded to the trial court to determine the appellant's actual sentence. Due return shall be made to this Court within 49 days of the release of this opinion.
AFFIRMED AS TO CONVICTION; REMANDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS AS TO SENTENCE.*
FOOTNOTES
FOOTNOTE. Note from the reporter of decisions: On January 28, 2000, on return to remand, the Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed, without opinion.
McMILLAN, Judge.
LONG, P.J., and COBB, BASCHAB, and FRY, JJ., concur.
Thank you for your feedback!
As the largest network of trusted legal brands, we help firms build authority across the platforms consumers and AI systems rely on most. Our network helps attorneys strengthen visibility, credibility, and preference where legal decisions begin.
Docket No: CR-98-1056
Decided: November 19, 1999
Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Alabama.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)