This case asks us to determine, in the context of a collateral challenge of juvenile adjudications used for purposes of subsequent recidivist sentencing and where the relevant juvenile records have been expunged, which party bears the initial burden of proving that the underlying convictions were procured without counsel or a proper waiver of counsel. Because we conclude that the alleged error is a jurisdictional defect not subject to the prerequisites of MCR 6.508(D)(3), judicial review of defendant’s collateral challenge is appropriate and the circuit court decision dismissing for lack of "good cause” is reversed. Similarly, while we affirm the reasoning of the Court of Appeals we do not remand because, applying the mandates of People v Moore, 391 Mich 426; 216 NW2d 770 (1974), defendant has failed to meet his initial burden of proof that a constitutional violation occurred.

*24Specifically, we hold that Moore, when properly interpreted and extended to the facts of this case, prohibits the extraordinary relief sought by defendant. Because defendant presented neither (1) prima facie proof that his prior juvenile adjudications were procured in violation of Gideon v Wainwright, 372 US 335; 83 S Ct 792; 9 L Ed 2d 799 (1963), nor (2) evidence that his request for such proof was refused by the sentencing court, or that the sentencing court failed to reply to his request, he has failed to satisfy his initial burden of showing that the circuit court erred by relying on prior juvenile adjudications in which he was allegedly not represented by counsel for purposes of sentencing.

i

In 1982, defendant Louis E. Carpentier, Jr., armed with a revolver, robbed a bank of over $5,000 during business hours. In 1983, a jury convicted him of armed robbery,1 and the court sentenced him to twenty-five to fifty years imprisonment.

Defendant appealed the length of his sentence as excessive under People v Coles, 417 Mich 523; 339 NW2d 440 (1983), rev’d People v Milbourn, 435 Mich 630; 461 NW2d 1 (1990), and the Court of Appeals remanded the case for an articulation of the reasons for the sentence. After remand, the Court affirmed the sentence, holding it justified under Coles.2

*25This Court denied leave to appeal.3

In November 1992, defendant again challenged the length of his sentence by filing for relief from judgment under MCR 6.508. Defendant alleged that he should be resentenced because the trial court considered juvenile adjudications that were constitutionally infirm to determine his sentence, in that he was not represented by counsel and did not waive the right to representation at the juvenile adjudications. At the sentencing hearing, defendant was twenty-one years old, and his prior contacts with the juvenile system were noted on the presentence hearing report.4 The defendant *26verified the accuracy of his juvenile history, and he did not object to the use of those adjudications. While the transcripts of those proceedings existed at the time of his sentencing and during his initial appeal, they were physically destroyed pursuant to administrative policy before the filing of defendant’s MCR 6.508 motion.

Finding that defendant had failed to establish "good cause” as required by MCR 6.508(D)(3), the trial court denied his motion. The Court of Appeals, however, concluded that defendant’s Sixth Amendment claim "represents, if established, a jurisdictional defect . . . and thus the 'good cause’ requirement of MCR 6.508(D)(3)(a) is not, by its own terms, applicable.” Accordingly, the Court of Appeals ordered the case remanded to the trial court for consideration of defendant’s collateral challenge.

This Court granted leave to appeal on February 3, 1994. 444 Mich 949.

*27II

Defendant’s collateral challenge is brought pursuant to MCR 6.508(D)(3), which provides, in pertinent part:

The defendant has the burden of establishing entitlement to the relief requested. The court may not grant relief to the defendant if the motion

(3) alleges grounds for relief, other than jurisdictional defects, which could have been raised on appeal from the conviction and sentence or in a prior motion under this subchapter, unless the defendant demonstrates

(a) good cause for failure to raise such grounds on appeal or in a prior motion, and

(b) actual prejudice from the alleged irregularities that support the claim for relief. [Emphasis added.]

It is clear that, by its own terms, the "good cause” and "actual prejudice” prerequisites of MCR 6.508(D)(3) need not be satisfied where a defendant properly alleges a jurisdictional defect in a prior proceeding that resulted in conviction and sentence. It is also apparent that MCR 6.508— which articulates the procedures for obtaining postappeal relief — permits jurisdictionally based challenges to be raised after a criminal appeal has been exhausted. Certainly, if a criminal defendant may obtain postconviction review by establishing "good cause” and "actual prejudice” under MCR 6.508(D)(3), that defendant may alternately procure review by properly alleging the jurisdictional defect contemplated and exempted from the requirements of this rule. See also People v Johnson, 396 Mich 424, 442; 240 NW2d 729 (1976) ("Defendant may always challenge whether the state had a right to bring the prosecution in the first place”).

*28In this case, the Court of Appeals specifically found that defendant’s allegation of a Gideon violation at prior juvenile proceedings established a jurisdictional defect and, accordingly, remanded to the circuit court for consideration of defendant’s claim. The Court of Appeals reasoning has recently been affirmed by the United States Supreme Court in Custis v United States, 511 US _; 114 S Ct 1732; 128 L Ed 2d 517 (1994). In Custis, the Court held that, as a matter of federal law, a criminal defendant possesses the constitutional right to collaterally challenge a prior conviction that is used to enhance a sentence when that defendant alleges that the prior conviction was procured in violation of the Sixth Amendment right to counsel. Reviewing its history of permitting habeas corpus collateral challenges based on alleged right to counsel violations, the Court explained that it had long "attributed a jurisdictional significance to the failure to appoint counsel,” and reiterated that this alleged Sixth Amendment violation constituted such a jurisdictional defect:

"If the accused, however, is not represented by counsel and has not competently and intelligently waived his constitutional right, the Sixth Amendment stands as a jurisdictional bar to a valid conviction and sentence depriving him of his life or his liberty[.] . . . The judgment of conviction pronounced by a court without jurisdiction is void, and one imprisoned thereunder may obtain release by habeas corpus.” [Id., 114 S Ct 1737 (emphasis added) (quoting Johnson v Zerbst, 304 US 458, 468; 58 S Ct 1019; 82 L Ed 1461 (1938).]

Notably, while affording "jurisprudential signifi*29canee” to alleged Gideon claims, the Court expressly limited the availability of collateral challenges to these particular Sixth Amendment violations and refused to extend the opportunity for relief to other alleged constitutionál infirmities. Custis, 114 S Ct 1734 ("We hold that a defendant has no such right [with the sole exception of convictions obtained in violation of the right to counsel] to collaterally attack prior convictions”). This limitation was based, in part, on the "historical basis in [United States Supreme Court] jurisprudence of collateral attacks for treating the right to have counsel appointed as unique . . . .” Id., 114 S Ct 1737-1738. The Court further emphasized that such a limitation was compelled by the ease of administration that accompanied such exceptional claims, and by the federal court’s interest in promoting the finality of judgments for other non-Gideon challenges. Id., 114 S Ct 1739.

We find the reasoning of Custis both persuasive and consistent with Michigan common law. Like the federal courts, both the Michigan judiciary singularly, and the citizenry whosé collective rights and protections it is obligated to protect, have a compelling interest in championing the finality of criminal judgments. However, and again like the federal courts, Michigan has recognized the unique import of a defendant’s constitutional right to counsel. See, e.g., People v Ingram, 439 Mich 288; 484 NW2d 241 (1992); People v Crawford, 417 Mich 607, 614; 339 NW2d 630 (1983) (Brickley, J., concurring). The exceptional nature of this constitutional protection counsels for similarly atypical protection. For'this reason, we align ourselves with the rationale and result of Custis and hold that an alleged Gideon violation consti*30tutes a jurisdictional defect that may be collaterally challenged by a convicted criminal defendant.5

Because defendant’s collateral challenge raises a jurisdictional defect not subject to the "good cause” or "actual prejudice” demands of MCR 6.508(D)(3), the circuit court erred in dismissing defendant’s claim for lack of good cause. Relatedly, the Court of Appeals reasoning that defendant’s claim constituted a jurisdictional defect is affirmed as accurate.

hi

Unlike the Court of Appeals, however, we do not remand this action because, on the basis of the well-established procedure set out in Moore for reviewing collateral challenges alleging Gideon violations, defendant is incapable of proving that his prior convictions were constitutionally infirm.

*31A

Twenty years ago, this Court held that a defendant who collaterally challenges an antecedent conviction allegedly procured in violation of Gideon, supra, bears the initial burden of establishing that the conviction was obtained without counsel or without a proper waiver of counsel. Moore, supra. In Moore, we explained that a defendant could satisfy this initial burden by either of two approaches:

1) by presenting "prima facie proof that a previous conviction was violative of Gideon, such as a docket entry showing the absence of counsel or a transcript evidencing the same,” or

2) by presenting evidence that the defendant requested such records from the sentencing . court and that the court either (a) failed to reply to the request, or (b) refused to furnish copies of the records, within a reasonable time. Id. at 440-441.

Once either approach was satisfied, we held that a defendant would have met his initial burden of proof and a Tucker6 hearing would be convened at which "the burden [would] then be upon the prosecutor to establish the constitutional validity of the prior conviction.” Id. at 441.

Today we reaffirm that Moore articulates the proper procedures to be followed where a defendant collaterally challenges a prior conviction for lack of counsel or a proper waiver of counsel. In so *32affirming, however, we note that in the years since Moore, various interpretations of its prerequisites for Tucker relief have evolved to erode its fundamental premise that collateral challenges implicate extraordinary remedies and, accordingly, that the initial burden of proof must in fact rest with a defendant.7 Because we believe that our decision in Moore has been frequently misunderstood and misapplied by the lower courts, we now take this opportunity to review and reaffirm its mandates.

B

Our Moore decision is straightforward: to prevail upon a request for Tucker relief, defendant must present prima facie proof that a prior conviction violated Gideon, or present evidence that the sentencing court either "failed to reply” to a request for or "refused to furnish” requested copies of records and documents. Putting aside the first approach for a moment, it must be acknowledged that this Court was very specific in defining the second: a sentencing court must "fail[] to reply,” *33or "refuse[ ] to furnish,” requested evidence. Notably, the language of these prerequisites is markedly different from the interpretation articulated in People v Triplett (After Remand), 91 Mich App 82; 283 NW2d 658 (1979), rev’d 407 Mich 510; 287 NW2d 165 (1980), People v Schram, 98 Mich App 292; 296 NW2d 840 (1980), and People v Evans, 115 Mich App 711; 321 NW2d 686 (1982)—to wit, that a defendant must simply "have not received” requested records. Insofar as these decisions shift the focus of judicial inquiry away from the actions or inactions of a sentencing court, and instead examine whether a defendant actually receives requested records, they constitute an improper interpretation of Moore and, for the reasons stated herein, are overruled as overly broad interpretations of the case.

Indeed, we take this opportunity to explain that Mooré is in part directed at those situations in which a sentencing court affirmatively and intentionally acts to deny a defendant access to requested trial records. For example, where a sentencing court ignores a proper request for records, that court has "failed to reply” within the meaning of Moore. Alternatively, where a court refuses to forward records in its possession or control, that court has "refused to furnish” under Moore. Accordingly, to interpret Moore as only requiring a defendant to have requested but not received trial records opens the door to collateral challenges in a variety of situations not intended by the strict and narrow rule of Moore.

Nowhere are the implications of this expansive interpretation more conspicuous than in the instant case. The defendant here requested copies of his juvenile record so as to ascertain whether he had been afforded counsel, or had waived counsel, at prior juvenile proceedings. Defendant received a *34letter from the deputy register of the probate court explaining that his records had been properly expunged on his thirtieth birthday.8 It is clear that, pursuant to Moore, the probate court did not "fail[] to reply” to defendant’s request because a letter was sent detailing the unavailability of defendant’s records. Similarly, it is clear that the probate court did nót "refuse[] to furnish” copies of the records because one cannot refuse to furnish that which is not first possessed. After expungement, the probate court no longer possessed defendant’s records. Notably, however, had we held in Moore that defendant’s initial burden of proof was merely satisfied with a request and a failure to receive records, defendant undoubtedly would have met his initial burden of proof.9

We hold, therefore, that defendant has not met his burden of proof under Moore insofar as he has not established that the sentencing court either *35"failed to reply” or "refused to furnish” the records that were requested.

Further, defendant has not otherwise presented prima facie proof that his prior conviction was violative of Gideon. Defendant’s proifered evidence in support of a Tucker hearing consisted of the aforementioned letter from the probate court and two affidavits from attorneys claiming knowledge of procedures utilized in the probate court. As noted above, however, this letter is simply a reply from the court indicating that defendant’s records have been expunged; it says absolutely nothing about whether defendant had, or waived, counsel at his juvenile proceeding. Accordingly, it is not relevant to the Gideon violation alleged here. Similarly, the two affidavits only state general allegations concerning probate court procedures and do not address defendant’s Gideon -claim specifically. Accordingly, while somewhat relevant, these affidavits also do not establish prima facie proof of a right to counsel violation.

IV

It should be acknowledged that whereas Moore involved a scenario in which a trial record was available, in the instant case defendant’s record has been expunged and is no longer obtainable either by the defendant or the prosecutor. In fact, this lack of a record is the only significant distinction between the two cases. Accordingly, our view of Moore admittedly constitutes an extension of its mandates to those scenarios in which a record has been properly expunged. For the reasons stated below, however, we do not believe that this factual distinction counsels against extending Moore in this manner.

As previously noted, this state has a legitimate *36interest in promoting the finality of judgments. The United States Supreme Court recently recognized in Parke v Raley, 506 US _, _; 113 S Ct 517, 523; 121 L Ed 2d 391 (1992), that there is an important distinction, for purposes of presumptions and burdens, between direct review and collateral attack. In Parke, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals concluded — in the context of Boykin10 rights—that assigning the burden of proof to a defendant on the basis of a "bare record of conviction,” and absent the availability of a trial record, was constitutionally infirm. Reversing, the Su*37preme Court reasoned that while presuming invalidity from a silent or unavailable record may be appropriate on direct review, such a presumption is less compelling in a collateral challenge where the countervailing presumption of regularity is entitled to greater deference:

We see no tension between [assigning the burden of proof to the defendant] and Boykin. Boykin involved direct review of a conviction allegedly based upon an uninformed guilty plea. Respondent, however, never appealed his earlier convictions. They became final years ago, and he now seeks to revisit the question of their validity in a separate recidivism proceeding. To import Boykin’s presumption of invalidity into this very different context would, in our view, improperly ignore another presumption deeply rooted in 'our jurisprudence: the "presumption of regularity” that attaches to ñnal judgments, even when the question is waiver of constitutional rights. [Parke, 113 S Ct 523. Emphasis added.]

This presumption of regularity is well recognized in Michigan law as well, see Dow v Scully, 376 Mich 84; 135 NW2d 360 (1965); Fuller v Vanwagoner, 49 F Supp 281 (ED Mich, 1942), and its importance for assuring the finality of judgments, and conserving scarce judicial resources, cannot seriously be questioned. Therefore, while the presumption of invalidity may enjoy a very obvious and proper place in direct judicial review — simply to insure proper sentencing in the first instance— the presumption must be balanced against this state’s legitimate need to preserve scarce judicial resources with some finality of judgment. Because collateral attacks threaten such finality, it is appropriate to impose the burden of proof on that party making the challenge — in this case, the defendant.

*38Furthermore, it seems incongruous to demand that courts expunge juvenile records in certain instances, and then to permit criminal defendants the advantageoús use of this requirement to circumvent enhanced sentences. The absurdity of this position is underscored by the fact that expungement has been ordered for the beneñt of the defendant. We can see little reason why defendants should be permitted to misuse a policy, otherwise designed for their benefit, to avoid appropriate criminal sanctions.

v

In summary, where a juvenile record has been properly expunged, a defendant must bear the initial burden of establishing that prior juvenile adjudications were procured without counsel or without the proper waiver of counsel. This approach recognizes that expungement is a procedure benefiting the defendant and that collateral attacks seek an extraordinary judicial remedy, and adheres to the state’s well-recognized interest in insuring the finality of judgments. Properly interpreted, Moore provides an appropriate and workable framework within which a defendant may meet this initial burden.

For these reasons, and while the reasoning of the Court of Appeals is affirmed, we reverse its order remanding to the circuit court, and deny defendant’s request for relief from judgment.

(concurring). At issue in the instant case is the application of MCR 6.508(D)(3) to a collateral challenge of prior convictions utilized in *39the sentencing process of a nearly decade-old sentence, alleging that the prior convictions were constitutionally infirm because of the lack of counsel or the waiver of counsel. MCR 6.508(D)(3) bars such a challenge unless the defendant shows that (1) good cause exists for the delay in bringing the motion or there is a significant probability that he is innocent and (2) he has been actually prejudiced because of the alleged error. Nevertheless, the good-cause and prejudice requirements of MCR 6.508(D)(3) are waived when a collateral challenge alleges that prior convictions were invalid because of a jurisdictional defect.

I join the majority in denying relief. While defendant had no good cause for the delay in raising the challenge, because an allegation that the right to counsel was deprived raises a jurisdictional defect, defendant is permitted to collaterally attack his prior convictions.

I write separately because the majority fails to grapple with defendant’s constitutional arguments. I would hold that the procedures in People v Moore, 391 Mich 426; 216 NW2d 770 (1974), are not dictated by the federal or Michigan Constitution, and that defendant has failed to meet his burden of proving that his prior adjudications were constitutionally infirm.

i

A

At issue in the instant case is the challenge of a sentence imposed nearly a decade ago. There is no dispute that defendant appealed his sentence immediately following his conviction and that he is now raising a new and independent challenge to the sentence. Accordingly, defendant moves for relief under MCR 6.508(D). Defendant claims that *40the trial court improperly relied on prior juvenile adjudications because he alleges that those adjudications occurred without counsel and a valid waiver of counsel. .The question presented is whether the motion may be heard under MCR 6.508(D).

Defendant seeks an extraordinary remedy that permits a challenge to his sentence although he was previously granted the opportunity to attack its validity at all stages of the criminal justice process. In the trial court, defendant was permitted to challenge the accuracy of his presentence report, MCR 6.425(D)(2)(b), and acquiesced in its validity and use. He was also afforded the opportunity to address the court regarding the sentence. MCR 6.425(D)(2)(c). Furthermore, once the sentence was imposed, he was permitted to request resentencing. MCR 6.429.

Moreover, our constitution guarantees a convicted criminal an appeal of right of both the conviction and sentence. Const 1963, art 1, § 20. On appeal in the Court of Appeals, a defendant may argue, brief, and document any alleged irregularity in the criminal procedure that he believes unfairly led to his conviction. Furthermore, the court must appoint counsel to represent an indigent defendant during an appeal of right if a timely motion for counsel is filed. MCR 6.425(E)(2). If dissatisfied with the outcome of the initial appeal, a defendant may request a rehearing from the Court of Appeals, MCR 7.203(A), and, of course, may apply to this Court for leave to appeal. MCR 7.302. Thus, our appellate system clearly affords a criminal defendant one fair and open multistaged and layered opportunity to appeal a criminal conviction or sentence.

Represented by counsel, defendant vigorously and competently utilized this right to appeal by *41challenging the validity of his sentence. After thoroughly evaluating defendant’s application for leave to appeal, this Court denied leave. Defendant utilized each available stage of the criminal justice system to challenge his sentence, and was found wanting. During all stages of this process, he failed to raise the specific grounds for the relief he now seeks. Generally, the failure to raise an issue on appeal constitutes abandonment of the issue and precludes further consideration of the issue. In re Forfeiture of Certain Personal Property, 441 Mich 77, 84; 490 NW2d 322 (1992).

Nevertheless, MCR 6.508(D) permits a convicted defendant the opportunity to challenge a conviction or sentence even after an unsuccessful appeal of right. MCR 6.508(D) provides:

The defendant has the burden of establishing entitlement to the relief requested. The court may not grant relief to the defendant if the motion

(1) seeks relief from a judgment of conviction and sentence that still is subject to challenge on appeal pursuant to subchapter 7.200 or subchapter 7.300;

(2) alleges grounds for relief which were decided against the defendant in a prior appeal or proceeding under this subchapter, unless the defendant establishes that a retroactive change in the law has undermined the prior decision;

(3) alleges grounds for relief, other than jurisdictional defects, which could have been raised on appeal from the conviction and sentence or in a prior motion under this subchapter, unless the defendant demonstrates

(a) good cause for failure to raise such grounds on appeal or in the prior motion, and

(b) actual prejudice from the alleged irregularities that support the claim for relief. As used in this subrule, "actual prejudice” means that,

(i) in a conviction following a trial, but for the *42alleged error, the defendant would have had a reasonably likely chance of acquittal;

(ii) in a conviction entered on a plea of guilty, guilty but mentally ill, or nolo contendere, the defect in the proceedings was such that it renders the plea an involuntary one to a degree that it would be manifestly unjust to allow the conviction to stand;

(iii) in any case, the irregularity was so offensive to the maintenance of a sound judicial process that the conviction should not be allowed to stand regardless of its effect on the outcome of the case;

(iv) in the case of a challenge to the sentence, the sentence is invalid.

The court may waive the "good cause” requirement of subrule (D)(3)(a) if it concludes that there is a significant possibility that the defendant is innocent of the crime.

The circumstances under which a defendant may appeal under MCR 6.508(D) are narrowly limited when the defendant has already utilized the full gamut of the appellate process and is found wanting. Without such restrictions, the finality of judgments would be effectively undermined. The appellate process is not a game in which defendants should be afforded unlimited and unrestricted opportunities to attack convictions and sentences that were duly imposed years before. Once a defendant has been granted his day in court and his appeal by right, only under the most egregious circumstances should he be permitted to again attack the integrity of his conviction or sentence. The people are entitled to presume that he stands fairly and finally convicted. The elaborate, detailed, and careful appellate procedures that have evolved over 150 years of experience to ensure the fair and just treatment of criminal defendants should be discarded only with extreme reluctance. Otherwise defendants "may rake up *43alleged errors going back to the original conviction and beyond that to arrest, etc. Since a period of years may very well be involved, the problems of finding witnesses in our mobile society, the state of their memory, the availability of records and exhibits, etc., are very real and very significant.” People v Pickett, 391 Mich 305, 307-308; 215 NW2d 695 (1974). Justice is best served by the final resolution of the criminal trial and any resulting appeals as contemporaneous as possible to the crime that bore the conviction and sentence.

On the other hand, this Court recognizes that some errors are so fundamental to our system of justice that no matter how long the delay in challenging the conviction or sentence, the courts must hear the appeal. These circumstances are exceedingly few and implicate the integrity of the justice system itself: (1) jurisdictional defects, (2) challenges that were not raised because of "good cause” and that constitute "actual prejudice,” or (3) the conviction of a defendant when there is a significant probability that he is innocent of the crime for which he was convicted and actual prejudice.

B

Defendant contends that he meets the "good cause” and "actual prejudice” requirements to permit relief under MCR 6.508(D)(3). The majority does not consider this issue, finding that because the allegation constitutes a jurisdictional defect, he may now attack the prior adjudications. I examine this issue first because this Court is to avoid constitutional questions if possible, and whether defendant alleges a jurisdictional defect is based on the constitutional right to counsel.

Nevertheless, there appears to be no "good *44cause” for the nearly decade-long delay in defendant’s collateral attack. Good cause requires a showing of some impediment external to the petitioner. Henderson v Cohn, 919 F2d 1270, 1272 (CA 7, 1990).1 If, for instance, a ruling retroactively applied reveals an unconstitutional deprivation at trial, good cause might be shown. On the other hand, no good cause exists when a delay occurs because of defendant’s own conduct or unwarranted behavior. See, e.g., People v Watroba, 193 Mich App 124, 126-127; 483 NW2d 441 (1992) (finding that the .defendant did not show good cause when the delay in the motion for relief occurred because he was a fugitive from justice).

Defendant bases his demand for relief on a sentencing procedure rejected as unconstitutional in Burgett v Texas, 389 US 109; 88 S Ct 258; 19 L Ed 2d 319 (1967), and United States v Tucker, 404 US 443; 92 S Ct 589; 30 L Ed 2d 592 (1972). Assuming the validity of defendant’s allegations, after the release of Burgett and Tucker, a defendant would not have good cause to delay a challenge of counselless prior convictions utilized to enhance a sentence without an external impediment. Defendant pursued appeals of his sentence once throughout the court system well after the release of Burgett and Tucker. At the time of his conviction, his juvenile records existed. A decade later, after the administrative destruction of the records that may have conclusively closed the matter, he now collaterally attacks the adjudications. There has been no cogent reason expressed for this delay. Nor has defendant even alleged that there is a significant possibility that he is innocent *45of the crime. Hence, I would hold that the good-cause requirement has not been met, and that MCR 6.508 precludes the challenge unless the good-cause and prejudice requirements may be waived.

n

A

With regard to whether there was a jurisdictional defect, the Court of Appeals found:

The assertion that uncounseled juvenile adjudications were considered in exacerbation of defendant’s sentence, in violation of People v Leary, 192 Mich App 463 [481 NW2d 757] (1992), represents, if established, a jurisdictional defect, United States v Tucker, 404 US 443; 92 S Ct 589; 30 L Ed 2d 592 (1972); People v Moore, 391 Mich 426 (1974), and thus the "good cause” requirement of MCR 6.508(D)(3)(a) is not, by its own terms, applicable. If, therefore, defendant establishes that uncounseled adjudications were so used, and that he was thereby prejudiced, but see People v Watroba, 89 Mich App 718, 724-725 [282 NW2d 196] (1979), he is entitled to resentencing, whether or not this issue might have been presented at some earlier stage. [Unpublished order of the Court of Appeals, entered June 2, 1993 (Docket No. 161218).]

This Court historically has interpreted the lack of jurisdiction in criminal prosecutions with regard to the ancient writ of habeas corpus. While other writs permitted a defendant to challenge other alleged errors, Michigan law has long understood our writ of habeas corpus to permit a criminal defendant to attack a criminal conviction only when the court that convicted and sentenced the defendant was without jurisdiction to try him for the crime in question. As Justice Cooley stated for *46the Court, "mere irregularities” are not jurisdictional defects. Hamilton’s Case, 51 Mich 174, 175; 16 NW 327 (1883). Jurisdictional defects do not include a review of the merits of the case, id.; In re Lamanna, 263 Mich 62, 64; 248 NW 550 (1933), or evidentiary or procedural errors, In re Stone, 295 Mich 207, 211-212; 294 NW 156 (1940), but only those challenges that question the very authority of the court to convict and sentence the defendant, In re Lamanna, supra at 64.

Hence, even fundamental errors of criminal procedure may be insufficient to challenge the jurisdiction of the court. For instance, errors regarding the drafting of an information that might have warranted correction had a timely objection been made "are not so vital as to be destructive of the jurisdiction of the court.” In re Stone, supra at 210.2 Nor is a "claim that a plea of guilty was obtained through deception or duress” a jurisdictional defect. In re Offill, 293 Mich 416, 419; 292 NW 352 (1940). In like fashion, the introduction of evidence at trial in violation of the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution is not a jurisdictional defect because such claims "relate solely to the gathering and the preservation of evidence and, hence, challenge only the state’s ability to prove their factual guilt.” People v New, 427 Mich 482, 494; 398 NW2d 358 (1986) (holding that a plea of guilty waives such challenges). This is so because such objections "do not challenge the authority of the state to prosecute the defendants.” Id. " 'If the court has jurisdiction of the person and the subject-matter, and could render a judgment upon a showing of any sufficient state of *47facts, any judgment which it may render, however erroneous, irregular or unsupported by evidence,’ ” is no jurisdictional defect. In re Joseph, 206 Mich 659, 662; 173 NW 358 (1919), quoting 12 RCL 1194. Not all constitutional errors, therefore, deprive the court of jurisdiction, only those that impugn the very authority of the court to try and convict the criminal defendant.

On the other hand, by the very nature of jurisdiction, a "[defendant may always challenge whether the state had a right to bring the prosecution in the first place.” People v Johnson, 396 Mich 424, 442; 240 NW2d 729 (1976). Jurisdictional defects are akin, but not identical, to those waived when a defendant pleads guilty,3 because "the state has no legitimate interest in securing a conviction” without proving jurisdiction. New, supra at 491. In other words, "[s]uch rights and defenses 'reach beyond the factual determination of defendant’s guilt and implicate the very authority of the state to bring a defendant to trial ....’” Id., quoting People v White, 411 Mich 366, 398; 308 NW2d 128 (1981) (Moody, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part). Thus, a jurisdictional defect or its equivalent has been found when the defendant raises the issue of improper personal jurisdiction,4 improper subject matter jurisdiction,5 double jeopardy,6 imprison*48ment when the trial court had no authority to sentence defendant to the institution in question,7 and the conviction of a defendant for no crime whatsoever.8

B

In the instant case, whether the alleged improprieties are jurisdictional defects under Michigan law is dubious. In re Long, 266 Mich 369, 371; 254 NW 133 (1934) (holding that whether the defendant was denied the right to counsel at trial could not be examined under the writ of habeas corpus); People v Price, 23 Mich App 663, 670; 179 NW2d 177 (1970) (holding that the alleged denial of the right to counsel in juvenile cases is not a jurisdictional defect). Yet, the United States Supreme Court, as a matter of federal law, has found that criminal defendants possess a constitutional right to collaterally attack a prior conviction used to enhance their sentence when defendants allege that prior convictions occurred in violation of the Sixth Amendment right to counsel. Custis v United States, 511 US _; 114 S Ct 1732; 128 L Ed 2d 517 (1994). In Custis, 114 S Ct 1737, the Court found that clear language of the Armed Career Criminal Act of 1984, 18 USC 924(e) reveals that "Congress did not intend to permit collateral attacks on prior convictions under § 924(e).” The Court, however, found that the defendant possessed a constitutional right to collaterally chal*49lenge his prior convictions because they were based on the right to counsel. Acknowledging its holding as a "somewhat expansive notion of 'jurisdiction/ ” the Court found that allegations that a defendant was denied an attorney constitute a jurisdictional defect. Id. Thus, the Court ruled that collateral attacks based on the "right to have appointed counsel established in Gideon [v Wainwright, 372 US 335; 83 S Ct 792; 9 L Ed 2d 799 (1963)]” could not be constitutionally denied by otherwise applicable procedural bars. 114 S Ct 1738.9 Hence, I join the majority’s affirmance of the Court of Appeals ruling that the challenge may be heard under MCR 6.508(D).

in

Similarly, I join the majority’s decision that a remand is not necessary because, as a matter of law, defendant is incapable of proving that his prior convictions were constitutionally infirm.

Defendant contends that his sentence is invalid because the court utilized prior juvenile adjudications to compute his sentence when those prior adjudications occurred without counsel and valid waiver of the right to counsel. While defendant challenges the constitutional validity of his prior convictions, he bears the burden of showing that those convictions were invalid. MCR 6.508. Defen*50dant contends that he has met his burden because the state is unable to produce records documenting that he was provided with or validly waived counsel in his prior juvenile adjudications. At issue, therefore, is the allocation of the burden of proof when a defendant collaterally challenges the use of a prior conviction for sentence enhancement purposes because it allegedly occurred without counsel and without a valid waiver of the right to counsel. I would hold that the burden of proof shifts to the defendant making such a challenge once the prosecution has provided a certified copy of a prior conviction or an equivalent proffer, because it is permitted under the federal constitution and furthers the finality of judgments, judicial economy, and the orderly administration of justice.

A

"Perhaps the privilege most important to the person accused of crime, connectéd with his trial, is that to be defended by counsel.” 1 Cooley, Constitutional Limitations (8th ed), p 696. Under historical English criminal law, "however, the aid of this profession was denied in the very cases in which it was needed most . . . .” Id. at 698. To address this injustice, the Founders of our nation drafted and ratified the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution, mandating that "[i]n all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right ... to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.” This palladium of liberty, applicable to states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, guarantees a criminal defendant the right to be represented by counsel. Gideon v Wainwright, 372 US 335; 83 S Ct 792; 9 L Ed 2d 799 (1963).

To maintain its integrity, a conviction obtained *51in violation of the right to counsel may not be "used against a person either to support guilt or enhance punishment for another offense . . . Burgett, supra at 115.10 This is so because a sentence imposed in light of such convictions would be "founded at least in part upon misinformation of constitutional magnitude,” and " 'on the basis of assumptions concerning his criminal record which were materially untrue.’ ” Tucker, supra at 447, quoting Townsend v Burke, 334 US 736, 741; 68 S Ct 1252; 92 L Ed 1690 (1948). Moreover, to validly waive the right to counsel, "[t]he record must show, or there must be an allegation and evidence which show, that an accused was offered counsel but intelligently and understanding rejected the offer.” Carnley v Cochran, 369 US 506, 516; 82 S Ct 884; 8 L Ed 2d 70 (1962). Defendant, therefore, correctly notes that a sentence which utilizes prior adjudications in violation of the right to counsel are invalid. Whether defendant has met his burden to show that his sentence was improper, however, is another issue.

In Moore, supra at 440-441, this Court, relying almost exclusively on federal authority, outlined the procedures to determine whether a prior conviction could be utilized in a sentencing context in Michigan if a defendant alleges that the prior *52conviction was obtained without the representation of counsel and valid waiver of that right:

[T]he defendant must (1) present prima facie proof that a previous conviction was violative of Gideon, such as a docket entry showing the absence of counsel or a transcript evidencing the. same; or (2) present evidence that he has requested such records from the sentencing court and it has failed to reply or has refused to furnish copies of records within a reasonable period of time, say four weeks. Upon such presentation, either (1) or (2), the burden will then be upon the prosecutor to establish the constitutional validity of the prior conviction. Thus, if the prosecutor contends that the defendant waived counsel, the burden will be on him to show affirmative record evidence of waiver. . . .

Unless the prosecutor furnishes such evidence within one month of the defendant’s motion, the judge shall set the matter for an early hearing and order the production of the defendant at the hearing.

Defendant contends that the inability of the state to provide the records in question constitutes a failure to reply and a refusal to furnish copies of the records within a reasonable period of time. Yet, the state appropriately replied to defendant’s request for the records by notifying him of their expungement according to state procedures.11 This is not a case in which the trial court has purposefully ignored or refused to comply with a defendant’s request for records, but one in which the trial court is simply unable to comply with the request because of the expungement of the records. Thus, defendant has failed to show that the state has violated the procedures dictated in Moore. Thus, I join the majority in overruling those authorities finding that the mere inability to furnish *53records, even after responding to a defendant’s request, violated the dictates of Moore, see, e.g., People v Hannan (After Remand), 200 Mich App 123; 504 NW2d 189 (1993).

B

1

Defendant, however, also contends that, as a matter of federal constitutional law, as well as state policy, the burden of proof should be placed on the state when a criminal defendant challenges the use of a prior conviction in a sentencing hearing even after the state has presented sufficient proof of the existence of the prior conviction. The majority all but ignores this argument, implicitly holding that Moore is somehow constitutionally compelled and immune from modification. Because this Court is obligated to enforce the constitution and grant defendant due weight to his constitutional claim, I believe that we must address this issue.

I would hold that the placing of the burden on the state is not compelled by the United States Constitution. Parke v Raley, 506 US _, _; 113 S Ct 517, 522; 121 L Ed 2d 391 (1992).12 Upon review *54of both Tucker and Burgett, it is clear that the Moore Court chose a procedure that was neither set forth in nor required by either decision. Indeed, in Parke, the Court found the "deeply rooted . . . 'presumption of regularity’ that attaches to final judgments” and that permits courts to assume that prior judgments occurred in accordance with the law applies "even when the question is waiver of constitutional rights.” Id., 113 S Ct 523. In the context of a collateral attack challenging the constitutionality of a prior conviction during a sentencing proceeding, the Court found that a state could rely on the presumption of regularity to place the burden of proof on a defendant to show the unconstitutionality of a prior conviction once the state presented a sufficient proffer that the prior conviction occurred. Id.

Hence, federal law, refusing to dictate the fine details of state criminal procedure, mandates in the instant case only that the state "bear[] an initial burden of proving the fact of conviction [that] will ordinarily be satisfied by production of a certified copy of the conviction or an equivalent proffer.” United States v Unger, 915 F2d 759, 761 (CA 1, 1990). Once this threshold is met, the "conviction [may be] presumed valid for purposes of applying the sentencing guidelines. The burden [may] then shift[] to the defendant to establish *55that the earlier conviction was constitutionally infirm . . . Id.13 Indeed, Supreme Court "precedents make clear . . . that even when a collateral attack on a final conviction rests on constitutional grounds, the presumption of regularity that attaches to final judgments makes it appropriate to assign a proof burden to the defendant.” Parke, supra, 113 S Ct 524.14 Hence, to the extent Moore rested on the understanding that it was mandated by federal jurisprudence, it may be modified.15

*562

Nevertheless, defendant posits that Moore should be modified to place the entire burden of proof on the prosecution as a matter of policy. Defendant argues in the alternative that at the very least Moore should not be altered. Defendant suggests that placing the burden entirely on the prosecution is consistent with basic principles found within the American criminal justice system. Placing the burden on the government, defendant contends, would further the goals of the accusatorial system: protection of the innocent, checking the potentially abusive power of the government, and recognition of the imbalance of power between government and the accused.

Leaving aside the propriety of this Court adopting such a course, those states that place the burden of proof on defendants in similar circumstances still maintain the accusatorial system.16 This is so because of the nature of collateral challenges. After all, at issue in the instant case is not the burden of proof at trial or even on direct appeal, but merely during a collateral challenge of a prior conviction during sentencing. For the same reasons undergirding MCR 6.508(D) (and assuming good cause), when examining the procedures concerning collateral challenges, this Court has found "that considerations of finality and administrative consequences must become part of the process *57with which we assure the achievement of proceedings that are consistent with the rudimentary demands of fair procedure.” People v Ingram, 439 Mich 288, 293-294; 484 NW2d 241 (1992). In fact, " '[t]he strong interest in preserving the finality of judgments, as well as the interest in orderly trial procedure, must be overcome before collateral relief can be justified.’ ” Id. at 300, n 7 (citations omitted), quoting Henderson v Kibbe, 431 US 145, 154, n 13; 97 S Ct 1730; 52 L Ed 2d 203 (1977). Hence, Michigan law has historically utilized this deeply rooted presumption of regularity to reject collateral attacks in a variety of contexts.17 Only because " '[t]he denial of the right to counsel impugns the integrity of the conviction, raising doubts about the guilt of the accused . . . [is] the use of a counselless conviction . . . forbidden in collateral proceedings notwithstanding that the defendant did not raise the issue on direct review.’ ” Ingram, supra at 296, quoting People v *58Crawford, 417 Mich 607, 615; 339 NW2d 630 (1983) (Brickley, J., concurring).

There is no persuasive reason to disregard the presumption of regularity to the denigration of the finality of judgments, judicial economy, and the orderly administration of justice. Because " ' "[e]very inroad on the concept of finality undermines confidence in the integrity of our procedures; and, by increasing the volume of judicial work, inevitably delays and impairs the orderly administration of justice,” ’ ” collateral attacks should be discouraged. Ingram, supra at 297, quoting Crawford, supra at 616 (Brickley, J., concurring), quoting United States v Timmreck, 441 US 780, 784; 99 S Ct 2085; 60 L Ed 2d 634 (1979). To permit collateral attacks of prior convictions simply on the basis of the bald assertion of a defendant or a missing transcript ensures "[p]erpetual disrespect for the finality of convictions [that] disparages the • entire criminal justice system.” Ingram, supra at 301, n 9. On the other hand, by ensuring that defendants must possess strong evidence to successfully challenge a prior conviction, placing the burden of proof on the defendants strengthens respect for the finality of judgments and the orderly administration of justice. Similarly, placing the burden on defendants furthers judicial economy. This is especially true because a defendant is the party "who participated in the earlier proceedings resulting in conviction, [and] is often in the best position to challenge the conviction on constitutional grounds. . . . [F]or example, [the prosecution may not have been] a party to the contested state court proceedings.” United States v Newman, 912 F2d 1119, 1122 (CA 9, 1990). Because the orderly administration of justice is founded on finality of judgments and an interest in judicial economy, I would hold that courts appropriately must rely on the deeply rooted presumption of regularity to place the burden on a defen*59dant in a collateral challenge of a prior conviction once the prosecution presents sufficient evidence of the prior conviction. Parke, supra, 113 S Ct 522-525.

3

In summary, defendant contends that his prior juvenile adjudications were without counsel. Yet, "[t]hat a juvenile conviction was uncounseled does not render it invalid; if the right to counsel was made clear, and was sentiently waived, the absence of counsel would not in and of itself forestall use of the ensuing conviction in tabulating the defendant’s criminal history score.” Unger, supra at 761-762. Moreover, " 'bald assertions . . . that he was without counsel at his prior convictions are insufficient to overcome the presumption of regularity of the records that were before the trial court in this case.’ ” Disheroon v State, 687 SW2d 332, 334 (Tex Crim App, 1985) (en banc), quoting Maddox v State, 591 SW2d 898, 903 (Tex Crim App, 1979). "[S]elf-serving testimony, see United States v Boyer, 931 F2d 1201, 1205 (CA 7, 1991), does not overcome the court’s finding that all was in 'normal customary proper order.’ ” United States v Banks, 964 F2d 687, 693 (CA 7, 1992). Accordingly,

"[t]he failure of the state to provide a transcript when, after good faith effort, it cannot physically do so, does not automatically entitle a defendant to a new trial. . . . 'Doubts should be resolved in favor of the integrity, competence and proper performance of their official duties by the judge and the State’s attorney. ... If any presumption is to be indulged it should be one of regularity rather than of irregularity. . . . Such a presumption of regularity indicates that the court constitutionally discharged rather than unconstitutionally disregarded its state and federal duties.’ ” [People v *60Iacopelli, 141 Mich App 566, 568; 367 NW2d 837 (1985).][18]

In the instant case, defendant does not contest the existence of his prior juvenile convictions. Furthermore, defendant does not contest that the law required the granting of counsel or the waiver of the right to counsel at the time of his juvenile adjudications. Moreover, defendant conceded the validity of the presentence notations of the adjudications at issue at the original sentencing hearing. Thus, the state has met its initial burden. Defendant has failed to present any evidence that he was denied counsel except his bald assertions. Without more, the presumption of regularity attaches and preserves the validity of adjudications. Hence, I concur with the majority’s holding that defendant’s request for relief must be denied.19