No person shall be punished for an offense unless duly and legally convicted thereof in a court having competent jurisdiction of the cause and of the person.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 17-551; 1952 Code Section 17-551; 1942 Code Section 999; 1932 Code Section 999; Cr. P. '22 Section 85; Cr. C. '12 Section 79; Cr. C. '02 Section 52; G. S. 2452; R. S. 51.