UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,
v.
HUMBERTO RODRIGUEZ, DEFENDANT-APPELLANT

7th Cir. | 1957-02-20
No. 11799
241 F.2d 463 United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (1957) Caution
Cited by 8 cases

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Holding

A stipulation entered into in open court by defense counsel, in the presence of and without objection from the defendant, is sufficient proof of the identity of a substance as marihuana.


Facts & Procedural History

Defendant was apprehended by police, and marihuana was found in his automobile. At trial, the parties stipulated that the substance was marihuana, and…

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Opinion of the Court
PER CURIAM.

PER CURIAM.

Defendant was convicted after a jury trial for the unlawful acquisition and possession of 392 grams of marihuana without having paid the transfer tax thereon in violation of Sec. 4744, Internal Revenue Code of 1954, 26 U.S.C.A. § 4744.

The evidence discloses defendant was apprehended by Chicago police officers on July 2, 1955 because of a shooting witnessed by these officers. In defendant’s automobile were found concealed several packages of a green weed suspected of being marihuana. The substance thus found was placed in sealed containers and eventually was delivered to the United States chemist for examination.

At the trial the United States attorney announced he was going to call the United States chemist as his next witness. Defendant’s attorney advised the court that he had discussed the matter with his client and he was willing to stipulate that the green weed was, in fact, marihuana. Whereupon a stipulation to such effect was agreed upon between the United States attorney and counsel for defendant, and was approved by the court.

The only point here at issue is whether a stipulation between the parties as to the identity of the suspected substance as marihuana establishes sufficient proof of such fact without the necessity of further evidence.

Although defendant now claims his attorney was not authorized by him to make such stipulation, it was made in open court in the presence of defendant, and without any objection by him.

The use of stipulations in criminal as well as civil matters has long been recognized as proper. United States v. Monroe, 2 Cir., 164 F. 2d 471, 476. We think there was no need for additional proof as to the identity of the substance described as green weed. In fact, we are convinced defendant had a fair trial and was ably represented by Mr. James Pira-gine, an experienced attorney of defendant’s own choosing.

On this appeal, Mr. Piragine obtained permission of the court to withdraw as counsel for defendant. Defendant filed a brief pro se. As defendant could not personally be present at the oral argument, the Government waived oral argument, and the ease was taken on the briefs.

Judgment affirmed.


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