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14 Tex. Ct. App. 24

Want v. State

Court of Appeals of Texas

Decided April 7, 1883

Court of Appeals of Texas · decided 1883-04-07

Tried below before the Hon. R E. Beckham, County Judge. The indictment charged that the appellant, on May 21, 1882, “ with force and arms did unlawfully labor on Sunday, against the peace and dignity of the State,” and in a second count it charged that at the same time and place he “did compel and force one of his employees, to wit, Guy Price, to labor on Sunday; contrary,” etc. The statement of facts shows that the appellant and one May-field owned two buildings in Tarrant…

Decided 1883-04-07

White, Presiding Judge.

¶1All the requisites of a final judgment proper in misdemeanor cases where the punishment assessed is a pecuniary fine only are those prescribed in Article 805 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Of course the formal recitations preliminary to the judgment would be substantially the same as in cases of felony (Code Crim. Proc., Article 791), viz:

¶2■ “ 1. The title and number of the case.

¶3“2. That the case was called for trial and that the parties appeared,

¶4“3, The plea of the defendant.

¶5“4. The selection, empaneling and swearing of the jury (if the case be tried by a jury).

¶6“ 5. The submission of the evidence.

¶7“6. That the jury was charged by the court (if a charge was given).

¶8“7. The return of the verdict.

¶9“8. The verdict.”

¶10The two other provisions of Article 791 are not essential or requisite in misdemeanors.

¶11After the formal recitals, the judgment in this case is, “that the State of Texas do have and recover of and from the defendant, G. H. Want, said sum of ten dollars ($10.00), assessed as aforesaid, together with all costs herein incurred; for which said fine and costs execution may issue.”

¶12Defendant, as shown by the record, being present in court at the rendition of this judgment, the same is not such a judgment as the law directs and requires should be rendered. The judgment should have been that defendant “be committed to jail until such fine and costs are paid.” (Code Crim. Proc., Art. 805; Braden v. The State, just decided, ante, p. 22.)

¶13For want of a valid final judgment, the motion made by the Assistant Attorney General will be sustained, and the appeal dismissed.

¶14Appeal dismissed.

¶15Opinion delivered April 7, 1883.

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