205 Wis. 314 | Wis. | 1931
When arraigned, Dowling, without being represented by counsel or requesting such representation, pleaded guilty. There is no proof or showing whatsoever in the record that Dowling was lacking in intelligence or mental capacity, or that he did not fully understand and appreciate the nature of the offense charged and the effect of his plea of guilty.
Before imposing sentence, the court, on its motion, took the matter under advisement for a period of four days. On the adjourned day counsel appeared for Dowling and made a motion for dismissal on the ground that no venue is shown in the information. The information is technically imperfect in that respect, in that, while it duly alleges that Dowling unlawfully accepted and received money from the proceeds of the earnings of a certain woman “engaged in prostitution in the city of Oshkosh and county of Winnebago,” it fails to allege or locate the place of the acceptance or receipt of such money by Dowling. The defect because of that omission is not obviated by any such apt words of reference as saved the information in the case of State v. S. A. L. 77 Wis. 467, 468, 46 N. W. 498.
In the first instance, Dowling was entitled to be apprised by the information as to the venue of the acts on his part which constitute the gist of the offense. However, it does
After the denial of the motion for dismissal the court also denied a motion by Dowling for leave to withdraw his plea of guilty, and plead not guilty, and Dowling now complains of that ruling. In view of the range of the penalty prescribed by statute for the offense charged, and the fact that Dowling appeared without counsel when he pleaded guilty, it would seem that the trial court in its discretion might well have granted that motion. However, again, in the absence of any fact basis whatsoever in the record because of which we would be justified in concluding that there was an abuse of discretion, we are not warranted in reversing the judgment.
By the Court. — Judgment affirmed.