Opinion
OP 23-0602
10-24-2023
PAUL L. CAMPBELL, Petitioner, v. JIM SALMONSEN, Warden, Respondent.
ORDER
Paul L. Campbell petitions self-represented for a Writ of Habeas Corpus. He alleges that the charging documents to commence his prosecution or "these informations, of every kind, are confined by the Constitutional law to mere misdemeanors only[.]" Citing to Blackstone's Commentaries and 19th century case law, Campbell claims that his conviction is void and that "the 'King's Bench' [now] is codified Constitutional law out of the United States Supreme Court, and in use in the Colony(s) which [later] became the United States of America." He requests his immediate release from prison due to illegal incarceration because the State of Montana commenced his criminal prosecution via an Information in the Twenty-First Judicial District Court, Ravalli County.
In March 2005, the State of Montana charged Campbell by Information with four felonies. The State twice amended the charges. In November 2005, Campbell was convicted upon guilty pleas of sexual assault and sexual intercourse without consent. He is serving two concurrent 100-year sentences, with no time suspended. Campbell did not appeal.
In April 2014, Campbell petitioned this Court for an out-of-time appeal of his 2005 convictions. We denied his Petition. State v. Campbell, No. DA 14-0218, Order (Mont. Apr. 29, 2018).
Campbell cites § 1-1-105, MCA, as a basis for his arguments. That section reads: "The organic law is the constitution of government and is altogether written. Other written laws are denominated statutes. The written law of this state is therefore contained in its constitution and statutes and in the constitution and statutes of the United States." Within that same title and chapter, another statute provides:, "In this state there is no common law in any case where the law is declared by statute." Section 1-1-108, MCA. Under § 1-1-109, MCA, "[t]he common law of England... is the rule of decision in all the courts of this state" as long as it is not "inconsistent with" the laws or constitution of this State.
Montana's Legislature has declared by statute that an information is one method to charge an offender with a felony criminal offense. Section 46-11-101(3), MCA. This Court has held that Montana statutes offer four methods to commence a prosecution in this state, one of which is "an information after leave of court has been granted[.]" State v. Montgomery, 2015 MT 151, ¶ 11, 379 Mont. 353, 350 P.3d 77; § 46-11-101(3), MCA."' [A] defendant is not entitled to any specific procedure. '" Montgomery, ¶ 11 (citing State v. Haller, 2013 MT 199, ¶ 8, 371 Mont. 86, 306 P.3d 338) (internal citation omitted). If the State commences prosecution by filing an application and an affidavit that identifies supporting evidence demonstrating probable cause, the district court has subject matter jurisdiction to proceed "over the felonies as stated in Mont. Const, art. VII, § 4(1) and § 3-5-302(1)(a), MCA[.]" Montgomery, ¶ 11.
We conclude that Campbell is not entitled to a writ of habeas corpus. The State of Montana commenced his felony prosecution according to Montana's Constitution and statutes by filing an application and supporting affidavit for leave of court to charge Campbell by information. Section 46-11-201(2), MCA (2003). See also Montgomery, ¶¶ 9-11; Mont. Const, art. II, §20(1); §§ 46-11-101(3),-102(1), MCA. The District Court had subject matter jurisdiction, and the Judgment is not void. Campbell has not demonstrated illegal incarceration. Section 46-22-101(1), MCA.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Campbell's Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus is DENIED and DISMISSED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this case is CLOSED as of this Order's date.
The Clerk is directed to provide a copy of this Order to counsel of record and to Paul L. Campbell personally.