City of Pierre v. Smith

Defendant was found guilty on two charges of violating municipal ordinances of the City of Pierre and has attempted to appeal from his conviction.

SDCL 23-51-1 provides that, “An appeal to the Supreme Court may be taken by the defendant from a final judgment of conviction.” SDCL 23-48-14 provides that a judgment becomes complete and effective when reduced to writing, signed by the court, attested by the clerk and filed in his office. The record in the instant case reveals that no judgment of conviction has ever been signed, attested or filed; indeed, at the conclusion of the trial the trial…