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People v. Reese, Docket Nos. 77-1858, 77-1859 (Mich. Ct. App. May 9, 1978)

Factual and Procedural Background

The defendant pled guilty in Recorder's Court for the City of Detroit to two informations charging him with receiving or concealing stolen property with a value in excess of $100 (each involving an automobile). The second offense occurred while the defendant was awaiting trial on the first. The trial court sentenced the defendant to two consecutive five-year "flat" terms; those sentences were ordered to be served concurrently with an unrelated 11 to 25 year sentence. On appeal the defendant argued the trial court erred by imposing flat five-year terms rather than indeterminate sentences under People v Tanner, 387 Mich. 683; 199 N.W.2d 202 (1972). The Court of Appeals affirmed the convictions but modified the sentences to 40 to 60 months each.

Legal Issues Presented

  1. Whether the indeterminate sentencing provision, MCL 769.8; MSA 28.1080, applies to an individual who has a prior conviction (i.e., whether a defendant not charged as a habitual offender nonetheless must receive an indeterminate sentence as interpreted in People v Tanner).
  2. Whether a trial court may impose a flat (determinate) sentence without charging a defendant as a habitual offender under the habitual offender provisions (MCL 769.10–769.13; MSA 28.1082–28.1085).

Arguments of the Parties

The opinion does not contain a detailed account of the parties' legal arguments.

Table of Precedents Cited

Precedent Rule or Principle Cited For Application by the Court
People v Tanner, 387 Mich. 683; 199 N.W.2d 202 (1972) Interpreting MCL 769.8; MSA 28.1080 to require indeterminate sentencing (setting a minimum) for those "convicted for the first time." The court held the defendant must be sentenced under § 8 (MCL 769.8; MSA 28.1080) as interpreted by People v Tanner and that the flat five-year terms were improper absent habitual-offender charging.
People v Haggitt and People v Jordan, 388 Mich. 773; 200 N.W.2d 321 (1972) Instances where the Supreme Court applied Tanner in similar sentencing contexts (without extended discussion). Cited to show the Supreme Court has applied Tanner to cases of this type, supporting application of indeterminate sentencing.
People v Moore, 40 Mich. App. 383, 387; 198 N.W.2d 775 (1972) Identified as an early suggestion that three types of sentences might be recognized (indeterminate, habitual, and a nonstatutory flat sentence). Used to trace the development of differing sentencing approaches within appellate decisions.
People v Ungurean, 51 Mich. App. 262; 214 N.W.2d 873 (1974), lv den, 395 Mich. 805 (1975) Panel approval of a long term sentence (14 to 15 years) that became a basis for approving this type of sentence in some cases. Distinguished by the court because Ungurean had been charged and sentenced under the habitual offender statute, which was not done here.
People v Biniecki, 35 Mich. App. 335; 192 N.W.2d 638 (1971), lv den 387 Mich. 764 (1972) Addressed a distinct sentencing question involving escape from prison. Cited as dealing with a different issue (escape), not controlling for the present sentencing question.
People v Redwine, 73 Mich. App. 83; 250 N.W.2d 550 (1976) Appellate decision applying the view that a defendant not charged as a habitual offender must receive indeterminate sentence per Tanner. Endorsed by the court as representing the "better view" consistent with the statutory scheme; the court aligned itself with Redwine's approach.
People v Reginald Harris, 80 Mich. App. 228; 263 N.W.2d 40 (1977) Similar to Redwine; majority view that Tanner applies and indeterminate sentencing should be used absent habitual-offender charging. Also adopted by the court as representing the preferable interpretation of the sentencing statutes.
People v Banks, 73 Mich. App. 492; 252 N.W.2d 501 (1977) Represents an appellate decision taking a contrary approach (permitting flat sentences despite prior convictions when not charged as habitual offenders). Cited as part of the line of cases taking an opposing view; the court contrasted Banks with Redwine/Reginald Harris and declined to follow Banks.
People v Malchi White, 81 Mich. App. 226; 265 N.W.2d 100 (1978) Another case taking the contrary approach; referenced in the dissent as supporting permissibility of flat sentences for previously convicted defendants. Cited as part of the contrary line of authority; the majority rejected that view, while the dissent relied on it.
People v Bullock, 48 Mich. App. 700; 211 N.W.2d 108 (1973) Applied Tanner to this type of case but did not discuss the "convicted for the first time" language of the indeterminate sentencing provision. Cited to show prior application of Tanner in similar contexts; noted as not addressing the specific statutory language at issue.
People v McFadden, 73 Mich. App. 232; 251 N.W.2d 297 (1977) Deals with the related problem of doubling a defendant's sentence for a second drug conviction without a hearing or proof of the prior conviction. Referenced as dealing with a related procedural/due-process concern; the court expressly declined to express a view on McFadden's correctness.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The court examined the statutory sentencing scheme set out in Chapter IX of the Code of Criminal Procedure (MCL 769.1 et seq.; MSA 28.1072 et seq.). It focused on the interplay between the indeterminate sentencing provision (Section 8, MCL 769.8; MSA 28.1080), which applies to those "convicted for the first time," and the habitual offender provisions (Sections 10–12, MCL 769.10, 769.11, 769.12; MSA 28.1082, 28.1083, 28.1084), which apply to second and subsequent convictions but require the notice and hearing protections of Section 13 (MCL 769.13; MSA 28.1085) before habitual offender penalties may be imposed.

Based on that statutory structure, the court reasoned that the Legislature created only two statutorily authorized sentencing types — indeterminate and habitual — and concluded that it is unfair and legally unsound to remove a defendant from the benefits of the indeterminate-sentencing provision without charging him as a habitual offender in a supplemental information and affording the statutory protections. The court observed disagreement among appellate panels but aligned itself with the line of cases (e.g., People v Redwine and People v Reginald Harris) that apply People v Tanner to require indeterminate sentencing unless the defendant has been properly charged and adjudicated as a habitual offender.

The court also noted the procedural propriety of consecutive sentences in this particular case because the second offense occurred while the defendant was awaiting trial on the first (citing the applicable statutory authority, MCL 768.7b; MSA 28.1030(2)). Having concluded that no statute authorized the flat five-year sentences imposed without habitual-offender proceedings, the court modified the sentences to conform to an indeterminate structure consistent with Tanner and § 8.

Holding and Implications

Holding: The convictions were affirmed, and the sentences were modified to 40 to 60 months each.

Implications:

  • The court held that, absent charging and adjudication under the habitual-offender provisions, a defendant with prior convictions must be sentenced under Section 8 (MCL 769.8; MSA 28.1080) as interpreted by People v Tanner (i.e., receive an indeterminate sentence with a minimum term specified).
  • As a direct effect on the parties in this case, the previously imposed flat five-year terms were reduced and converted to indeterminate terms of 40 to 60 months each.
  • The opinion adopts the view of the majority in certain prior appellate decisions (cited herein) and rejects the contrary line of authority that permitted flat sentences without habitual-offender proceedings. The court emphasized statutory intent and procedural protections in reaching its conclusion.

PEOPLE v. REESE

T.M. BURNS, J.

Defendant pled guilty in Recorder's Court for the City of Detroit to two informations charging him with receiving or concealing stolen property with a value in excess of $100. MCL 750.535; MSA 28.803. In each case, the property was an automobile. Defendant was sentenced to serve two consecutive five year terms for these offenses which, in turn, were to be served concurrently with an 11 to 25 year sentence on an unrelated offense. In this appeal defendant claims it was error to sentence him to two flat five year terms rather than an indeterminate sentence under People v Tanner, 387 Mich. 683; 199 N.W.2d 202 (1972).

The second offense occurred while defendant was awaiting trial on the first. Consecutive sentences are proper under the circumstances. MCL 768.7b; MSA 28.1030(2).

The question of whether the indeterminate sentencing provision, MCL 769.8; MSA 28.1080, applies to an individual with a prior conviction has of late caused much division in this Court. The Supreme Court has applied Tanner in this type of case, but without discussion. See, e.g., People v Haggitt and People v Jordan, 388 Mich. 773; 200 N.W.2d 321 (1972).

The first hint that there might be three possible types of sentences — indeterminate (MCL 769.8; MSA 28.1080), habitual offenders (MCL 769.10, 769.11, 769.12; MSA 28.1082, 28.1083, 28.1084) and a nonstatutory or common law nonfirst offender, nonhabitual criminal — appears to have come in People v Moore, 40 Mich. App. 383, 387; 198 N.W.2d 775 (1972). The case which has become the basis of approving this type of sentence is People v Ungurean, 51 Mich. App. 262; 214 N.W.2d 873 (1974), lv den, 395 Mich. 805 (1975), where the panel approved a sentence of 14 to 15 years. However, Ungurean had been charged and was sentenced under the provisions of the habitual offender statute, something which was not done here.

People v Biniecki, 35 Mich. App. 335; 192 N.W.2d 638 (1971), lv den 387 Mich. 764 (1972), dealt with the distinct question of sentencing for escape from prison.

As noted above, this Court has been divided on the question of whether one not charged as a habitual offender may receive a flat sentence or an indeterminate sentence which does not comply with Tanner if it appears from the presentence report or otherwise that he has been previously convicted of crime. Compare, People v Redwine, 73 Mich. App. 83; 250 N.W.2d 550 (1976), People v Reginald Harris, 80 Mich. App. 228; 263 N.W.2d 40 (1977), with People v Banks, 73 Mich. App. 492; 252 N.W.2d 501 (1977), People v Malchi White, 81 Mich. App. 226; 265 N.W.2d 100 (1978).

People v Bullock, 48 Mich. App. 700; 211 N.W.2d 108 (1973), applied Tanner to a case of the type under discussion here, but did not discuss the convicted for the first time language of the indeterminate sentencing provision.

People v McFadden, 73 Mich. App. 232; 251 N.W.2d 297 (1977), deals with the related problem of doubling a defendant's sentence for a second drug conviction under MCL 335.348; MSA 18.1070(48) without a hearing or proof of the prior conviction. We express no view as to the correctness of that decision.

In our opinion, the better view, and the one most consistent with the statutory sentencing scheme, is that expressed by the majority in Redwine and People v Reginald Harris.

The sentencing scheme is set out in Chapter IX of the Code of Criminal Procedure, MCL 769.1 et seq.; MSA 28.1072, et seq. Section 8, the provision in question here, applies to those "convicted for the first time". Sections 10, 11 and 12, the habitual offender provisions, apply to defendant's second and subsequent convictions. However, before the habitual offender penalties may be imposed, a defendant is entitled to the hearing and notice protections of § 13. To remove a defendant from the benefits of the indeterminate sentencing provision without charging him in a supplemental information as a habitual offender is both unwise and unfair.

MCL 769.8; MSA 28.1080.

MCL 769.10; MSA 28.1082.

MCL 769.11; MSA 28.1083.

MCL 769.12; MSA 28.1084.

MCL 769.13; MSA 28.1085.

The Legislature has created but two types of sentences — indeterminate and habitual — and, unless he is charged as a habitual offender, he must be sentenced as if he were "convicted for the first time". That this is the legislative intent can be seen from the final phrase of § 1: "* * * such sentence shall in no case or respect be greater than the penalty * * * prescribed * * * by law". (Emphasis added.) The people point to no statute authorizing the flat five year sentence as imposed here, without complying with the habitual offender provisions, and we have found none. Defendant must be sentenced under § 8 as interpreted by the Supreme Court in People v Tanner.

MCL 769.1; MSA 28.1072.

The convictions are affirmed with the sentences modified to 40 to 60 months each.

R.M. MAHER, J., concurred.

M.J. KELLY, J. (dissenting).

Two cases are consolidated for this appeal.

Defendant was bound over for trial after a preliminary examination was held on January 7, 1977, for the crime of receiving or concealing stolen property over $100 on January 1, 1977; specifically a Ford automobile (Docket No. 77-1859). MCL 750.535; MSA 28.803. On February 14, 1977, defendant was bound over for trial for a similar crime which occurred on February 6, 1977, involving a Pontiac automobile (Docket No. 77-1858). On April 19, 1977, defendant pled guilty to both offenses in the Recorder's Court for the City of Detroit. The trial court accepted his plea of guilty in both cases, and sentenced defendant to serve "five years flat" on both charges. The sentences were to run consecutively. Defendant appeals asserting that under People v Tanner, 387 Mich. 683; 199 N.W.2d 202 (1972), the trial court erred by not setting a minimum sentence.

The Tanner "two-thirds" rule does not apply to the defendant since he has been previously convicted of a felony. For the reasons set forth in People v Malchi White, 81 Mich. App. 226; 265 N.W.2d 100 (1978), I would hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in sentencing defendant to a term of five years without setting a minimum term in the present case.

I would affirm.

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PEOPLE v. REESE
(May 9, 1978)