State v. Moore

EnviN, J.

The Attorney-General correctly concedes that the court erred in denying the motion in arrest of judgment.

Under G.S. 49-2, the neglect or the refusal of a parent to support his illegitimate child is not a crime unless it is willful. As a consequence, the State must both allege and prove a willful nonsupport in a prosecution under the statute. S. v. McDay, 232 N.C. 388, 61 S.E. 2d 86; S. v. Morgan, 226 N.C. 414, 38 S.E. 2d 166; S. v. Hayden, 224 N.C. 779, 32 S.E. 2d 333; S. v. Allen, 224 N.C. 530, 31 S.E. 2d 530. The criminal complaint underlying the warrant in the instant case does not charge the defendant with the essential element of willfulness. This omission renders the warrant fatally defective, and necessitates an arrest of the judgment. S. v. Morgan, supra; S. v. Vanderlip, 225 N.C. 610, 35 S.E. 2d 885; S. v. Moore, 220 N.C. 535, 17 S.E. 2d 660; S. v. Clarke, 220 N.C. 392, 17 S.E. 2d 468; S. v. McLamb, 214 N.C. 322, 199 S.E. 81; S. v. Tarlton, 208 N.C. 734, 182 S.E. 481.

Judgment arrested.