Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

18 Ala. App. 47

88 So 362

Weaver v. State

Alabama Court of Appeals

Decided February 1, 1921

Alabama Court of Appeals · decided 1921-02-01

<p>Statutes &wkey;>255 — Penal statute not providing when taking effect not operative till after 60 days from approval, and conviction void for acts within that time.</p> <p>The act making it an offense to manufacture, sell, give, or possess apparatus to be used in manufacturing prohibited liquors (Laws 1919, p. 1086), not containing any special provision as to when it should take effect, therefore, under Code 1907, § 7805, did not become operative till expiration of 60 days after its approval, and there could be no conviction for acts committed within such period.</p>

Reversed and rendered · Decided 1921-02-01

BRICKEN, P. J.

¶1 The defendant was indicted and convicted for a violation of an act of the Legislature (Laws 1919, p. 1086) the title of which reads:

“To further suppress the evils of intemperance to prohibit the manufacture, sale, giving away or haying in possession any still, apparatus, appliance, or any device or substitute therefor to be used in the manufacture of prohibited liquors and beverages.”

¶2 This act was approved September SO, 1919. The act contained no special provision as to when it should take effect; therefore under the provisions of section 7805, Code 1907, it being a penal statute, this act did not become-operative or take effect until November 30, 1919, or, in other words, until 60 days after its approval.

¶3 The undisputed evidence in this case shows that the alleged offense of this defendant, if committed at all, was committed during the month of October, 1919, and before the expiration of the 60 days after the approval of the act in question. No other inference could be drawn from the testimony.

¶4 The court therefore fell into error in holding that the act was in effect before the expiration of the 60'days after its approval.

¶5 The affirmative charge should have been given in behalf of the defendant, and for the error in refusing this charge the judgment of conviction appealed from is reversed, and, as the defendant cannot be convicted under the evidence of the charge contained in this indictment, a judgment will here be rendered discharging the defendant from further custody in this behalf.

¶6 In view of the judgment here rendered *48 there appears no necessity of discussing or passing upon the numerous questions presented on this appeal.

¶7 Reversed and rendered.

¶8 <g^For other oases see same topic and KEY NUMBER in all Key-Numbered Digests and Indexes

/18/alaapp/47 · .json · Public domain