Ex parte Bazzell

Ex parte Bazzell
1948 OK CR 81
197 P.2d 530
87 Okl.Cr. 293
Decided: 09/08/1948
Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals

(Syllabus.)

1. Habeas Corpus-Bail-Bail Reduced to $10,000 by Writ. Upon application for reduction of bail by writ of habeas corpus after commitment by examining magistrate on charge of "obtaining money and property by false or bogus check" and "fixing of bail by district court in sum of $22,500," the maximum punishment for such crime being 7 years in penitentiary and $500 fine, bail would be reduced to $10,000.

2. Same---Reduction of Bail Justified by Petition and Response by State. Petition for reduction of bail of one charged with obtaining money and property by means of a bogus check and response filed by state justified reduction of bail.

Original habeas corpus proceeding by W. E. Bazzell for reduction of bail. Writ granted.

0. A. Brewer, of Hugo, for petitioner.

Ralph K. Jenner, Co. Atty., of Hugo, for respondent.

BAREFOOT P. J. Petitioner, W. E. Bazzell, has filed petition for writ of habeas corpus in this court, alleging that he is unlawfully restrained of his liberty by Bird Collins, sheriff of Choctaw county, Oklahoma.

Petitioner states that the cause of his restraint is by reason of the fact that he was charged in the justice of the peace court of V. F. Bennett in Choctaw county with the crime of obtaining money and property by

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false pretenses by means of a bogus check, and was bound over to the district court in the sum of $25,000; that application was made to the judge of the district court of Choctaw county and bail was reduced to the sum of $22,500; that said sum is excessive; that petitioner is 68 years of age and owns only an interest in a small home in Okmulgee, Okmulgee county, Oklahoma; that he is unable to make the $22,500 bond which was set by the district court, and prays that the same be reduced.

Upon reading the petition, rule to show cause was entered and was set for hearing September 1, 1948. At that time no appearance was made in person or by the attorneys representing petitioner or the sheriff of Choctaw county. Over the telephone all parties agreed that the petition be considered and that the court take such action as thought proper.

The response to the rule to show cause has attached thereto as an exhibit a copy of the information filed against defendant. This reveals that the alleged bogus check was for $11,733.26, and was given for the purchase price of 93 cattle and 38 hogs. We presume the amount of the check was a determining factor with the district judge in fixing the bond of the defendant at $22,500. The record before us does not disclose whether the property has been recovered.

In the petition it is alleged that "maximum bail should not exceed the sum of $7,000."