Copeland v. State

The appellant, Robert Copeland, was indicted for first-degree robbery. On November 11, 1983, he pled guilty to second-degree robbery. On November 14, 1983, the trial court sentenced him, as a habitual offender, to serve a term of life in prison. See § 13A-5-9(c)(2), Ala. Code 1975. He did not appeal his conviction. On August 15, 2001, the appellant filed a Rule 32 petition, challenging his conviction. After the State responded, the circuit court summarily denied his petition. This appeal followed.

The appellant argues that the trial court did not have jurisdiction to render a judgment and…