State v. Cleaves

When a defendant voluntarily pleads guilty to a charge of crime, the only questions presented on appeal are whether any error appears upon the face of the record proper and whether the sentences imposed were in excess of statutory limits. State v. Caldwell, 269 N.C. 521, 153 S.E. 2d 34; State v. Darnell, 266 N.C. 640, 146 S.E. 2d 800.

The sole assignment of error in the record is that the punishment imposed was “cruel and unusual under the law and facts of this case.” The assignment is without merit. It is firmly established in our jurisprudence that when the punishment imposed does not exceed…