State v. . Straughn

Stacy, C. J. At the February Special Term, 1929, of Robeson Superior Court, Hon. Cameron F. McRae, Special Judge presiding, upon the call of the present case for trial, wherein the defendant is *692 charged with a violation of the “Bad Check Law,” by consent of the solicitor and counsel representing the defendant, it was agreed that the court might “find the facts and the law,” whereupon the court entered a finding “that the defendant is guilty,” and rendered judgment that he “pay a fine of $50 and costs.” The defendant gave notice of appeal to the Supreme Court, but has failed to prosecute same as required by the rules. S. v. Taylor, 194 N. C., 738, 140 S. E., 728. The motion of the Attorney-General to docket the appeal must be allowed. S. v. Clyburn, 195 N. C., 618, 143 S. E., 129; S. v. Thomas, 195 N. C., 458, 142 S. E., 474; S. v. Dalton, 185 N. C., 606, 115 S. E., 881; S. v. Ward, 180 N. C., 693, 104 S. E., 531. But as it appears on the face of the record proper that the same error was committed in this case as in S. v. Crawford, ante, 513, the judgment will be stricken out and the cause remanded to the Superior Court for trial by a jury as the law provides; none has yet been had. It has been held in a number of cases that when a defendant in a criminal prosecution, on trial in the Superior Court, enters a plea of “not guilty” to the charge preferred against him, he may not thereafter, without changing his plea, waive his constitutional right of trial by jury. S. v. Hartsfield, 188 N. C., 357, 124 S. E., 629. And this applies to misdemeanors as well as to the more serious offenses. S. v. Pulliam, 184 N. C., 681, 114 S. E., 394. Of course, special verdicts are permissible in criminal cases, but when such procedure is had, all the essential facts must be found by a jury. S. v. Allen, 166 N. C., 265, 80 S. E., 1075. They may not be referred to the judge for decision even with the consent of the accused or his counsel. S. v. Holt, 90 N. C., 749. Error.