State v. Hamilton , 36 N.C. App. 538 ( 1978 )

CLARK, Judge.

In his motion to quash the indictment the defendant alleged that the Superior Court is without jurisdiction “for the reason that the defendant has previously been placed in jeopardy,” but prayed that the case be remanded to the District Court for juvenile proceedings. Defendant contends in his brief on appeal that Judge Washington had no authority to overrule Judge Gentry, who had made a finding of probable cause under G.S. 7A-280 at the 3 June 1977 hearing and made a decision to try the defendant as a juvenile on 29 June 1977. Defendant abandons the double jeopardy argument.

The State had the authority to appeal under G.S. 15-179(3) from a judgment allowing a motion to quash. We note that G.S. 15A-1445, effective 1 July 1978, repeals G.S. 15-179, and provides:

“Appeal by the State. —(a.) Unless the rule against double jeopary prohibits further prosecution, the State may appeal from the superior court to the appellate division:

(1) When there has been a decision or judgment dismissing criminal charges as to one or more counts.

(2) Upon the granting of a motion for a new trial on the ground of newly discovered or newly available evidence but only on questions of law.

(b) The State may appeal an order by the superior court granting a motion to suppress as provided in G.S. 15A-979.”

The record on appeal reveals that in his 3 June 1977 order Judge Gentry recited that “the matter came on for a Detention Hearing,” found “that there is probable cause for a hearing to be conducted in this matter,” and ordered that defendant remain in the temporary custody of the court. There is nothing to indicate that Judge Gentry heard any evidence relative to the merits of the case. It thus appears that the primary purpose of this hearing, which was held on the same day that the juvenile defendant and his mother were served with process and that same day that the court appointed counsel, was to determine temporary custody under G.S. 7A-284(a) which provides as follows:

“(a) If it appears from a petition that a child is in danger, or subject to such serious neglect as may endanger his health or morals, or that the best interest of the child requires that the court assume immediate custody of the child prior to a hearing on the merits of the case, the judge may enter an order directing an officer or other authorized person to assume immediate custody of the child. Such an order shall constitute authority to assume physical custody of the child and to take the child to such place or person as is designated in the order. The court shall conduct a hearing on the merits at the earliest practicable time within five days after assuming custody, and if such a hearing is not held within five days, the child shall be released.”

In addition to ordering temporary custody in the court, Judge Gentry found “probable cause for a hearing.” The meaning of this finding is not clear. G.S. 7A-280 provides, in part, that if a juvenile over age 14 is charged with a felony, “the judge shall conduct a preliminary hearing to determine probable cause .... If the judge finds probable cause, he may proceed to hear the case under the procedures established by this article, or if the judge finds that the needs of the child or the best interests of the State will be served, the judge may transfer the case to the superior court division for trial as in the case of adults.”

We find that under G.S. 7A-280 where the juvenile is charged with a felony, the District Court may conduct separate hearings, one to determine probable cause and a separate evidentiary hearing upon the cause for transfer to the Superior Court. Or the District Court may conduct one evidentiary hearing to determine both probable cause and the cause for transfer to the Superior Court. In re Smith, 24 N.C. App. 321, 210 S.E. 2d 453 (1974). In re Bullard, 22 N.C. App. 245, 206 S.E. 2d 305 (1974).

We conclude that on 3 June 1977 Judge Gentry made a determination of custody under G.S. 7A-284, which did not require an evidentiary hearing on the other usual due process procedures. Newton v. Burgin, 363 F. Supp. 782 (W.D. N.C. 1973), aff’d mem., 414 U.S. 1139, 94 S.Ct. 889, 39 L.Ed. 2d 96 (1974). Assuming that Judge Gentry’s finding that “there is probable cause for a hearing,” constituted a finding of probable cause under G.S. 7A-280, he did not at the 29 June 1977 hearing determine any matters other than those raised by defendant’s motion to dismiss, even though the State initially took the position that it was to be a hearing on the merits. Judge Gentry, after ruling on defendant’s motion, correctly ordered a hearing before Judge Washington, who on 13 July 1977 conducted an evidentiary hearing on the question of transfer to the Superior Court for trial as an adult. In doing so, Judge Washington did not overrule Judge Gentry but followed the applicable statutory procedure.

The Superior Court erred in allowing defendant’s motion to quash and dismiss and in ordering the cause remanded to District Court. The judgment appealed from is reversed and this cause is remanded to the Superior Court for trial.

Reversed and remanded.

Judges Britt and Erwin concur.