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The UNITED STATES of America v. Edward Paul WASHINGTON, Appellant

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit1956-10-03No. No. 12009
237 F.2d 632

Summary

Holding. The appellate court affirmed the district court's denial of Washington's motion. The court found no constitutional violation, concluding that Washington was brought before a judicial officer without unnecessary delay in accordance with Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and that his guilty plea waived all non-jurisdictional defects and defenses.

Edward Paul Washington was charged with passing a forged Post Office money order and possessing another altered money order. He waived indictment in open court with counsel present, entered guilty pleas to both counts after confirming he understood the information would have the same effect as an indictment, and received concurrent two-year sentences.

Washington later moved to modify his sentence, arguing for the first time that he had been questioned by postal inspectors and FBI agents after arrest but before arraignment without being advised of his right to counsel. He did not contest his guilt or challenge the voluntariness of any statements. The district court denied the motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. On appeal, Washington repeated the same argument about pre-arraignment questioning without counsel notification.

Summary generated by law.co from the public-domain opinion. The opinion text itself is public domain.

Key issues

  • Whether pre-arraignment interrogation without counsel notification constituted a due process violation
  • Whether a guilty plea waives challenges to pre-trial questioning procedures
  • Timing and propriety of initial appearance after arrest

Procedural posture

Washington appealed the district court's denial of his motion to modify sentence filed under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, raising for the first time on appeal a challenge to his pre-arraignment interrogation.

Authorities cited

No cited authorities resolved to law.co cases yet.

Opinion

majority opinion

PER CURIAM.

Appellant was charged with unlawfully passing a forged and altered Post Office money order and with having in his possession another money order which he falsely altered in a material respect.

In open court, where he was represented by competent assigned counsel, he executed a written waiver of indictment. The waiver and an information against him were filed immediately thereafter. In response to the court’s question, he said he understood that in those circumstances the information would have the same effect as if he had been indicted. The court also asked him if anyone had made any promises or like representations to him and appellant answered in the negative. Through his attorney he pleaded guilty to both counts of the information. He was sentenced to two years on each with the sentences to run concurrently.

Sometime thereafter appellant moved that his sentence be modified or amended and for any other necessary relief. His sole ground, for the first time urged, was that after he was arrested he was questioned by Postal inspectors and Federal Bureau of Investigation agents prior to being arraigned. That the arraignment took place the same day as his arrest is inferentially admitted. Appellant does not deny his guilt of the offenses charged. He makes no contention that his confession in the course of the above referred to questioning was other than voluntary. And specifically, as he states in his brief, “He is not contesting the procedure that took place in the U. S. District Court at the time of appellant’s trial, November 4, 1955 at Newark, N. J.” The district judge, properly treating the motion as coming under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, denied it. From the order entered on that decision this appeal is taken.

Appellant makes the same argument as he did in the district court, namely, that he was interrogated after his arrest and before he was arraigned and was not then advised of his right to counsel. He alleges “he was denied legal procedure of ‘due process of law’ at the time of his arrest and detention on October 27, 1955” but there is no support for that assertion. And there is nothing indicating that after his arrest he was not brought before “the nearest available commissioner” in accordance with Rule 4(b) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, 18 U.S.C. and “without unnecessary delay” as Rule 5(a) of said Rules directs. We find no constitutional problem involved in this appeal. On the facts the McNabb decision, McNabb v. United States, 1943, 318 U.S. 332, 63 S.Ct. 608, 87 L.Ed. 819, and others cited by appellant have no pertinency.

Jurisdiction was present, in the district court. The plea of guilty under the circumstances of this case waived all non jurisdictional defects and defenses and admitted all the averred facts in the information. United States v. Gallagher, 3 Cir., 1950, 183 F.2d 342, 344. See also United States v. Riccardi, 3 Cir., 1951, 188 F.2d 416, 417.

Appellant’s motion to be released on bail pending appeal which was returnable the same day this appeal was submitted is denied.

The judgment of the district court will be affirmed.