City of Kansas City v. Rowell

Defendant was convicted in the Municipal Court of Kansas City, Missouri, for an ordinance violation of solicitation of an immoral act. Defendant appealed to the Circuit Court of Jackson County, and the matter was heard by the trial court sitting without a jury. At the conclusion of the evidence, the defendant who had appeared pro se had requested an opportunity to make a statement to which the trial court responded:

“The court finds the defendant guilty and sentences the defendant to sixty days.”

Immediately thereafter, the court made a finding of guilt and assessed the punishment at sixty days…