People v. Reese
People v. Reese
Opinion of the Court
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
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 NW2d 321 (1972).
The first hint
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 NW2d 550 (1976), People v Reginald Harris, 80 Mich App 228; 263 NW2d 40 (1977),
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
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:
The convictions are affirmed with the sentences modified to 40 to 60 months each.
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).
People v Biniecki, 35 Mich App 335; 192 NW2d 638 (1971), lv den 387 Mich 764 (1972), dealt with the distinct question of sentencing for escape from prison.
People v Bullock, 48 Mich App 700; 211 NW2d 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 NW2d 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.
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.
MCL 769.1; MSA 28.1072.
Dissenting Opinion
(dissenting). Two cases are consolidated for this appeal.
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 NW2d 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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