SMILEY v. STATE
394 P.3d 1270
| Okla. Crim. App. | 2017Background
- Appellant William Hurshel Smiley pleaded guilty to aggravated eluding on June 24, 2013; escape charge was dismissed. He was sentenced to 8 years, with all but 60 days suspended.
- The State filed an Application to Revoke Suspended Sentence on October 15, 2014, alleging supervision violations and a new domestic-abuse-by-strangulation charge. Smiley was arraigned, pled not guilty, and waived a 20-day speedy revocation hearing.
- An Amended Application to Revoke was filed December 17, 2014, adding allegations of drug use, failure to complete rehabilitation, and additional new crimes (preventing a witness, domestic assault/battery, violation of protective order).
- Revocation hearing was held January 20, 2015; the district court found violations and revoked the remaining suspended sentence in full.
- On appeal Smiley argued the court violated due process by failing to arraign him on the amended application and thereby denying a fresh 20-day revocation-hearing right.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether filing an amended application to revoke requires a new arraignment and new waiver of the 20-day hearing period | Smiley: the amended application required arraignment and a new waiver, otherwise the 20-day period restarted and lapsed | State: prior arraignment, plea, and waiver covered the revocation proceedings; no new waiver required for amended petition | Court: No new waiver required; prior waiver was effective and 34 days between amendment and hearing was reasonable notice to prepare |
Key Cases Cited
- Grimes v. State, 251 P.3d 749 (Okla. Crim. App. 2011) (discusses waiver of timely revocation-hearing requirement)
- Yates v. State, 761 P.2d 878 (Okla. Crim. App. 1988) (addresses timing and waiver standards for revocation hearings)
