DocketNumber: Nos. SC 96474 and SC 96664
Citation Numbers: 530 S.W.3d 508
Judges: Fischer
Filed Date: 10/31/2017
Status: Precedential
Modified Date: 1/12/2023
Amy J. Fite, the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney, filed a petition for a writ of prohibition alleging the circuit court exceeded its authority by sustaining Robby Ledford’s Rule 29.07(d) motion to withdraw his plea of guilty to felony stealing pursuant to § 570.030,3(1)
Facts and Procedural Background
In 2013, Ledford pleaded guilty to stealing property worth more than $500 but less than $25,000. Pursuant to § 570.030.3(1), the circuit court sentenced Ledford as a felon to five years’ imprisonment, suspended imposition of the sentence, and placed him on probation for five years.
In November 2015, the circuit court revoked Ledford’s probation, executed his sentence, and delivered him to the custody of the Department of Corrections. Ledford did not appeal, nor did he file a Rule 24.035 motion for post-conviction relief.
In February 2017, after expiration of the period for filing a timely Rule 24.035 motion for post-conviction relief, Bedford filed the underlying Rule 29.07(d) motion to withdraw his guilty plea.
Standard of Review
- This Court has jurisdiction to issue original remedial writs. Mo. Const. art. V, sec. 4.1. “A writ of prohibition is appropriate: (1) to prevent the usurpation of judicial power when a lower court lacks authority or jurisdiction; (2) to remedy an excess of authority, jurisdiction or abuse of discretion where the lower court lacks the power to act as intended; or (3) where a party may suffer irreparable harm if relief is not granted.” State ex rel. Strauser v. Martinez, 416 S.W.3d 798, 801 (Mo. banc 2014).
The Circuit Court Lacked Authority
A criminal judgment becomes final when a sentence is entered. State v. Larson, 79 S.W.3d 891, 893 (Mo. banc 2002). “[0]nce judgment and sentencing occur in a criminal proceeding, the trial court has exhausted its jurisdiction, It can take no further action in that case except when otherwise expressly provided by statute or rule.” State ex rel. Simmons v. White, 866 S.W.2d 443, 445 (Mo. banc 1993), This Court has recognized Rule 29.07(d) provides for a post-sentence civil matter. See Brown v. State, 66 S.W.3d 721, 724-25, 730 n.5 (Mo. banc 2002). Therefore, the circuit court had jurisdiction to adjudicate Ledford’s Rule 29.07(d) motion as a civil matter. See Mo. Const, art. V, sec. 14(a).
The circuit court lacked authority, however, to sustain the motion.
Contrary to the circuit court’s order, Rule 29.07(d) does-not provide an independent basis for reviewing procedurally defaulted claims for post-conviction relief. Brown, 66 S.W.3d at 730. Rule 29.07(d) provides:
A motion to withdraw a plea of guilty may be made only before sentence is imposed ór when imposition of sentence is suspended; but to correct manifest injustice the court after sentence may set aside the judgment of conviction and permit the defendant to withdraw his plea.
Rulé 29.07(d) does not, apply to claims enumerated within Rule 24.035. Brown, 66 S.W.3d at 730 n.5. Ledford’s claim that his sentence was in excess of the maximum authorized by law was within the purview of Rule 24.035; therefore, Rule 29.07(d) has no application. The circuit court lacked authority to grant relief pursuant to Rule 29.07(d).
. The circuit, court’s error is compounded by the fact Ledford’s • claim is substantively meritless. Section 570.030.3(1) purports to enhance the offense of stealing from a misdemeanor to a felony when “the value of property or services is an element” and the value of the stolen property or services exceeds $500 but is less than $25,000. The value of the stolen property or services, however, “is not an element of the offense of stealing.” Bazell, 497 S.W.3d at 266. Although State v. Passley, 389 S.W.3d 180, 182-83 (Mo. App. 2012), held stealing is a felony when the value of the stolen property exceeds $500, Bazell held this interpretation “should no longer be followed” because the felony enhancement does not apply to the offense of stealing as defined by § 570.030.1. Bazell, 497 S.W.3d at 267 n.3; State v. Smith, 522 S.W.3d 221, 230 (Mo. banc 2017). As this Court held in State ex rel. Windeknecht v. Mesmer, SC96159, 530 S.W.3d 500, 2017 WL 4479200 (Mo. banc Oct. 5, 2017), this Court’s interpretation of § 570.030.3(1) first enunciated in Bazell applies prospectively only, except in those cases pending on direct appeal.
Conclusion
The circuit court lacked authority to amend the information and resentence Ledford to a misdemeanor. The preliminary writ of prohibition is made permanent.
. Statutory citations are to RSMo Supp. 2013.
. Rule 24.035(b) provides, if no appeal is taken from the judgment or sentence, a motion for post-conviction relief following a guilty plea "shall be filed within 180 days of the date the person is delivered to the custody of the department of corrections.”
.The sentence for a class A misdemeanor cannot exceed one year. Section 558.011.1(5).
. This Court issued a preliminary writ of prohibition and,'pursuant to Rule 83.01, transferred the appeal to this Court prior to opinion by the court of appeals, State v. Ledford, SC96664. Because, this Court’s writ is made permanent, the appeal is dismissed,
. Authority concerns a court’s power to render a particular judgment or take a particular action in a particular case based on the existing law, while jurisdiction concerns a court’s power to render any judgment or take any action in a particular case, See J.C.W. ex rel. Webb v. Wyciskalla, 275 S.W.3d 249, 253-54 (Mo. banc 2009); In re Marriage of Hendrix, 183 S.W.3d 582, 588 (Mo. banc 2006).
. Section 570.030 has been amended and, effective January 1, 2017, no longer contains the same language addressed in Passley and Bazell.