State v. Akers

WOLFE, Commissioner.

The defendant has appealed after a conviction for the offense of nonsupport of his minor children. He had pleaded guilty to the charge before a magistrate and after sentence filed a notice of appeal to the circuit court where a trial was conducted and a verdict of guilty returned by a jury.

At the outset of the matter we are confronted with the question of whether or not a defendant charged with a misdemeanor before a magistrate may plead guilty and after sentence appeal to the circuit court.

Article V, Section 21, of the Constitution of Missouri, V.A.M.S., provides that the…