FOURTH D I VI SI ON

DI LLA R D, C. J.

, RA Y and SELF, JJ.

N O T IC E : M otions for r e c ons i de r a tion m us t be ph y sic a l ly r e ce iv ed i n our c le r k ’s offic e w ithin te n da y s of the da te of de c is ion to be de e m ed tim e ly file d.

http://w w w .ga a ppe a l s .us /r ule s

Febr uar y 26, 2018



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 7 A1 36 0 . NORDAHL v . THE STATE.

D I LLA R D , Ch i ef J u d g e.

In 2 0 1 3

, t he St at e ch arg ed Bl an e No rd ah l

, v i a i nd i ct m en t, wi t h s ev eral co u n t s

o f b urg lary an d o n e co un t o f at t em pt ed b urg l ary

. Th ereaft er, i t n ot i fi ed No rd ah l t h at

i t i n t en d ed t o s eek reci d iv is t p u n i s h m en t

, u n d er OCGA § 17 -1 0 -7

, bas ed o n h i s

p r e v i ou s co n v ict i o n s i n New Yo rk an d New J ers ey o n ch arg es o f b u rg l ary an d h i s

fed eral co n v i ct i on o n a ch arg e o f co n s pi racy to t ra n s p o rt s t o l en g o o d s

. No rd ah l

p l ead ed gu i lt y t o th e ch arg es , b u t ch al l en g ed t h e St at e’ s req u es t fo r reci d i v i s t

p u n i s h m en t

. Nev ert h el es s , t h e t ri al co u r t fo u n d No rd ah l t o b e a reci di v i s t an d

s en t en ced h i m acco rd i n g l y

. On ap p eal

, No rd ah l co n t en ds t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred in

s en t en ci n g h i m u n der OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -7

, arg u i n g t h at t h e St at e fai l ed to p ro v i d e

s u ffi ci en t n o t i ce o f it s i n ten t t o s eek reci d i v is t p un i s hm en t an d fai l ed t o es t ab l i s h t h ath i s p ri o r fed eral co nv i ct i o n was a cri m e, wh i ch

, i f co m m i t t ed i n Geo rg i a, wo u l d b e

co n si d ered a fel o ny

. No rd ah l fu rt h er arg u es t h at ev en i f he co u l d b e co n s i d ered a

reci di v i s t

, t h e t ri al co u rt s h ou l d h av e s en t en ced hi m un d er t h e reci d i v i s t p ro v i s i on s

o f OCGA § 1 6 -7 -1 (b ). Fo r t h e reas o n s s et fo rt h i n f ra , we affi rm

.

Th e reco rd

, wh i ch fo r t h e m o s t p art i s u nd i s pu t ed

, s h ows t h at on Decem b er 1 0,

2 0 1 3

, t h e St at e ch arg ed No rd ah l an d h i s fo rm er g i rl fri en d

, v i a i n d i ct m en t

, wi t h t h ree

co u nt s o f b u rg l ary , o n e co u n t o f cri m i n al at t em p t t o co m m i t bu rg l ary , an d fo u r co u n t s

o f b u rg l ary i n t h e fi rs t d eg ree. 1 O n J an uary 2 2

, 2 0 1 4

, t he St at e n o t i fi ed No rd ah l o f i t s

i n t en t to s eek reci d i v i s t p u ni s hm en t un d er OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -7 (a) an d (c), rel y i n g u p o n

t wo p ri o r co nv i ct i o n s in N ew J ers ey an d o n e i n New Yo rk

. On J u n e 1 6

, 2 0 1 6

, t h e

St at e am en d ed i t s n o t i ce, rel y i n g n o w u p o n a New Yo rk b u rg lary co n v ict i o n , a New

J ers ey b u rg l ary co n vi ct i o n, an d a fed eral co n v i ct i o n fo r co n s p i racy t o t ran s p o rt s t o l en

g o o d s

.

1 Th e o ffen s es ch arg ed i n Co u n ts 1 th ro u gh 3

, al l eg i n g bu rg l ary , an d Co u n t 4,

al l eg in g cri m i nal at t em

pt t o co m

m i t bu rg l a r y, o c c u rred b efo re J u l y 1

, 2 0 1 2

, t h e effect i v e d at e of t h e am en d m en t t o OCGA § 1 6 -7 -1

, wh i ch creat ed t h e g rad at i o n s o f

fi rs t an d seco n d-d eg ree b u rg l ary

. S ee Ga. L

. 2 0 1 2

, p p

. 8 99

, 9 4 9, § § 3 -1

, 9 -1 .; s ee a l s o S t a t e v. Newt o n , 2 9 4 Ga. 7 6 7

, 77 0 n.2 (7 5 5 SE2 d 7 86 ) (2 0 1 4). Th e o ffen s es ch arg ed

i n Co u n t s 5 t h ro u g h 8

, al l eg i n g b u rg l ary i n t he fi rs t d eg ree, o ccu r r ed aft er J u ly 1,

2 0 1 2

.

2On J u ne 2 4

, 20 1 6

, t h e t ri al co u rt co n d u ct ed a pl ea h eari n g , d u ri n g wh i ch t h e

St at e p ro v id e d t h e fact u al bas i s o f t he o ffen s es ch arg ed i n t h e i n di ct m en t an d

s u b m i t t ed ev id en ce o f N o r d a h l ’ s p ri o r co n v i ct i on s , wh i ch it was rel y in g u p o n in

s u p p ort o f i t s req u es t t h at th e co u rt s en t en ce h i m as a reci di v i s t u nd er OCGA § 1 7 -1 0

-

7 (a) an d (c). No rd ah l d i d n o t ch al l en ge th e fact s p ert ai n i n g t o t h e ch arg ed offen s es ,

b u t co n ten d ed th at he co u ld n o t b e s en t en ced as a reci di v i s t u nd er OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -7

,

arg u i n g , in t er a l i a , t h at h is fed eral co n v i ct i o n fo r co n s p i racy t o t ran s p o rt s t o len g o od s

was n o t a cri m e t h at wo ul d b e co n s i dered a fel o n y u nd er Geo rg i a l aw. Th e St at e

ch al l en g ed t h i s co n t en t i o n , b u t at t h e co ncl u s io n o f t h e h eari n g , t h e t ri al co u rt d i d n ot

i s su e a ru l i n g o n t h e reci d i v i s m arg u m en t , an d No rd ah l d i d n o t en t er a p l ea.

On Feb ru ary 1 0

, 2 0 17

, th e t ri al co urt co n d u ct ed a s eco n d p l ea h eari n g , 2 d u ri n g

wh i ch No rd ah l ack no wl e d g e d t h e fact s u nd erl y in g t h e ch arg es in t h e i n d i ct m en t

,

t es t i fi ed t h at h e u n d ers t o o d t h e co n s t i t u t i o n al ri g h t s he was w ai v i n g b y p l ead i n g

g u i l t y t o t h e ch arg es , an d u l t i m at el y p l ead ed gu i l ty

. Nev ert h el es s , h e ag ai n arg u ed

t h a t h e co u l d n ot b e s en t en ced as a reci d i v i s t u n der O CGA § 1 7 -1 0 -7

. Bu t h a v i n g

rev i ewed t h e r e c o r d fro m t he p ri o r h eari n g , t h e t ri al co u rt ru l ed t h at No rd ah l was a

2 J u d g e W en d y Sh o o b p res i d ed o v er t h e fi rs t p l ea h eari n g , b u t s h e ret i red n ot
l o n g t h ereaft er. Co ns eq u en t l y , J u d g e Jerry Bax t er p res i d ed ov er t he seco n d h eari n g.

3reci di v i s t u n d er OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -7 (a) an d (c). Acco rd i n g l y , t h e t ri al co u rt i m p o s ed a

s en t en ce o f 20 y ears , wi t h 1 0 t o s erv e an d t h e b al an ce s u s p en d ed

, o n t h e b u rg l ary

ch arg es i n Co u n t s 1 th ro u g h 3 ; 1 0 y ears t o s erv e o n t h e cri m i n al at t em p t t o co m m i t

b u rg lary ch arg e i n Co u n t 4 ; an d 2 5 y ears , wi th 10 t o s erv e an d t h e b al an ce su s p en d ed

,

o n th e fi rs t d eg ree b u rg l ary ch arg es i n Co u n t s 5 t hro u gh 8

. Th e t ri al co u rt fu rt h er

o rd ered t h at al l t h e s en t en ces were t o ru n co ncu rren t l y . Th i s ap p eal fo l l o w s.

In th e co n t ex t o f a cri m i n al co n vi ct i o n , “ a s en t en ce i s v o i d if t h e co urt i m p o s es

p u n i s h m en t th at t h e law d o es n o t al l o w.” 3 An d t h is i s t ru e ev en fo r d efen d an t s wh o

p l ead g u i l t y b ecau s e “ a defen d an t wh o k n o wi n g l y en t ers i n t o a p l ea ag reem en t d o es

n o t wai v e t h e ri g h t to ch al l en ge an i l l eg al an d v o id s en t en ce.” 4 Im p ort an t l y , wh et h er

a d efen d an t was p ro p erl y s en t en ced as a reci d i v is t u n d er O CGA § 17 -1 0 -7 i s s u b ject

3 vo n Th oma s v. S t a t e , 2 9 3 Ga. 5 6 9

, 5 7 1 (2 ) (7 4 8 SE2 d 4 46 ) (2 0 1 3 ) (p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ); a cco rd Ro o n ey v. S ta t e , 2 8 7 Ga. 1

, 2 (2 ) (6 90 SE2 d 8 0 4 ) (2 0 1 0).

4 Bel l v. S t a t e , 2 9 4 Ga. 5

, 8 (2 ) (7 4 9 SE2 d 6 6 0 ) (2 01 3 ); a cco r d Na z a r i o v. S t a t e , 2 9 3 Ga. 4 8 0, 4 8 7 (2 ) (d ) (7 4 6 SE2 d 1 0 9 ) (2 0 13 ); see a l so Hu mp h r ey v. S t at e , 2 9 7 Ga.

3 4 9

, 3 5 0 (7 7 3 SE2 d 76 0 ) (2 0 1 5 ) (“ [A] s we h av e i n d i cat ed i n a n u m b er o f cas es , t h e

co n sen t o f t h e p art i es can n o t v al i d at e a v o i d s en t en ce.”).

4t o d e n o vo rev i ew. 5 W i t h t h es e g u i d i ng p ri n ci p l es i n m i n d

, w e t u rn n o w to No rd ah l ’ s

s p eci fi c cl ai m s o f erro r.

1

. No rd ah l co n t en ds t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n fi n d i n g t h at t h e St at e p ro v i d ed

s u ffi ci en t n o t i ce o f i t s i n t en t t o s eek reci d i v i s t p u n i sh m en t

. Sp eci fi cal l y , h e cl ai m s

t h at t he i n d ict m en t s h ou l d h av e i n cl u d ed a reci d iv i s m co u n t

, arg ui n g t h at an y fact t h at

i n creas es t h e p en al t y fo r a cri m e m u s t b e s u b m i t t ed t o a ju ry . W e d i s ag ree.

In Amen d a r ez -To rr es v. Un i t ed St a tes

, 6 t h e Su prem e Co u rt o f t he Un i t ed St at es

h el d t h at t h e Si x t h Am en d m en t t o t he Un i t ed St at es Co ns t i t u ti o n 7 d id n ot req u i re t h at

a d efen d an t ’ s reci d i v is m b e t reat ed as an el em en t of an o ffen s e t o b e d et erm i n ed by

5 S ee Fr ey v. S t a t e , 3 3 8 Ga. Ap p

. 5 83

, 5 86 (3 ) (7 9 0 SE2 d 8 3 5) (2 0 1 6 ); s ee a l s o Ma t hi s v. S t a t e , 3 36 Ga. Ap p

. 2 5 7

, 2 5 7 (7 8 4 SE2 d 9 8 ) (2 01 6 ) (h o l d i ng t h at b ecau s e

ap p eal reg ard i n g wh et h er d efen d an t was p ro p erl y sen t en ced as a reci d i v i s t i s a

q u es ti o n o f l aw, we rev i ew t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s d eci s i o n d e n ovo ).

6 5 2 3 U.S. 2 24 (1 1 8 SCt 1 2 19 , 1 4 0 LE2 d 3 5 0 ) (1 9 9 8 ).

7 U.S. Co n s t

. am en d

. V I (“ In al l cri m i n al p ro s ecu t i on s , t he accu s ed s h al l en jo y

t h e ri gh t t o a s p eed y an d p u bl ic t ri al

, b y an i m p art ial j u ry o f t h e St at e an d d i s t ri ct
wh erei n t h e c r i m e s h a l l h av e b een co m m i t t ed

, wh i ch d i s t ri ct s h al l h av e b een

p rev i o u s l y as cert ai n ed by l aw, an d t o be in fo rm ed o f t he nat u re an d cau s e o f t h e

accu s at i on ; t o b e co n fro n t ed wi t h t h e w it nes s es ag ai n s t h i m ; t o h a v e co m p u l s o ry

p ro ces s fo r o b t ai n i n g wi t n es s es i n h i s fav o r, an d t o h av e t h e As s is t an ce o f Co u n s el

fo r h i s d efen ce.”).

5a ju ry

. 8 Su b s eq u en t l y , i n Ap p r en d i v. New Jer

s ey , 9 t h e Su p rem e Co u rt rei terat ed t h at

“ [ o ] t h er t h a n t h e f

a ct o f a p r i o r co n vi ct io n , an y fact t hat i n creas es t h e p en al t y fo r a

cri m e b ey o n d t h e pres cri b ed s t at u t o ry m ax i m u m m u s t b e s ub m i t t ed t o a ju ry , an d

p r o v ed bey o n d a reas o n ab le d o u b t .” 1 0 A n d co nt rary to No rd ah l ’ s arg u m en t

, t h e

S u p rem e Co u rt ’ s d eci s i o n i n Al l eyn e v. Un it ed St a t es 1 1 d id n o t al t er t h is h o l d i n g.

Th ere, t h e Co u rt ag ai n n o t ed t h at “ Ap p r en d i co ncl u d ed th at an y ‘ fact s t h at i n creas e

t h e p res cri b ed r a n g e o f pen al t i es t o wh ich a cri m in al d efen dan t i s ex p o s ed ’ are

el em en t s o f t he cri m e.” 1 2 Bu t

, i m p o rt an t l y , i n a fo o t n o t e al m os t i m m ed i at el y

t h ereaft er, th e Co u rt fu rt her ack n o wl ed ged t h at i n A l men d a r ez -To r r es , i t reco g n i zed

t h at p ri o r co n v i ct i o n s were a narro w ex cep t i o n to t h i s g en eral ru l e bu t o n e t h at i t was

n o t r e v i s i t i n g b ecau s e t h e p art i es h ad n o t arg u ed t h e is s u e. 1 3 Co ns eq u en t l y , h ere,

8 Amen d a r ez -To r r es , 5 2 3 U.S. at 2 47 (III).

9 5 3 0 U.S. 4 66 (1 2 0 SCt 2 3 48 , 1 4 7 LE2 d 4 3 5 ) (2 0 0 0 ).

1 0 Id

. at 4 9 0 (IV) (em

ph as i s s u p p l i ed ); a cco r d Br o wn v. St a t e , 2 8 4 Ga. 7 2 7

, 7 2 9 (3 ) (6 70 SE2 d 4 00 ) (2 0 0 8 ).

1 1

_

_ _ U.S. _

_ _ (1 3 3 SCt 2 1 5 1 , 1 8 6 LE2 d 3 1 4 ) (2 0 13 ).

1 2 Id

. at 21 6 0 (III) (B).

1 3 Id

. at 21 6 0 (III) (B) n

. 1

.

6No rd ah l ’ s pr i o r co nvi ct i o n s d i d n ot co n s t it u te fact s i n creas i n g h i s p u n i sh m en t wh i ch

were req u i red t o b e s u b m i t ted t o a ju ry

. 1 4

Tu rn i n g t o N o r d a h l ’s s p eci fi c cl ai m t h at reci di v i s m m u s t b e al leg ed i n t h e

i n d i ct m en t

, p rev i o u s l y , “ [u ] nd er Geo rg ia’ s o l d t wo -s t ep fel on y t ri al p ro ced u re wh ere

s en t en ce was i m

p o s ed b y t h e s am e ju ry w h i ch d eci d ed g u i l t

, i t was req u i red t h at i n

o rd er fo r an y

p ri o r co n vi ct i o ns t o b e co n s id ered i n ag g rav at i o n of p u n i s h m en t

, t h ey

h ad t o b e in cl u d ed i n t h e i n d i ct m en t .” 1 5 Bu t Geo rg i a a d o p t e d j u d g e s en t en ci n g in

1 9 7 4

, 1 6 an d s i n ce t h en , “ it i s n o t req u i red t hat t h e p ri o r co n v i ct i o n s b e i n cl u d ed i n t h e

i n d i ct m en t b u t o n l y t hat t h e accu s ed recei v e n o ti ce of t h e [S] t at e’ s i nt en t i o n t o s eek

reci di v i s t p u ni sh m en t an d o f t h e i d en t i ty o f t h e p ri o r co nv i ct i o n s .” 1 7 To ward t h at en d,

1 4 See Br o wn , 2 8 4 G a

. a t 7 2 9 (3 ) (h o ld i n g t h at b ecau s e d efen d an t ’ s s en t en ce

was en h an ced b y h i s p ri o r co n v i ct i on fo r arm ed ro b bery

, t h e tri al ju d g e d id no t err in

o v erru l i ng d efen d an t ’ s g en eral d em u rrer at tack i ng t h e co n s t i t u t i on al i t y o f OCGA §

1 7 -1 0-7 (b ) as a v i o l at i o n o f h i s ri g h t t o a t ri al b y ju ry ).

1 5 Fa vo rs v. S t a te

, 1 8 2 Ga. Ap p

. 1 7 9, 1 7 9 (1 ) (3 5 5 SE2 d 10 9 ) (1 9 8 7 ); s ee Ri g g in s v. S t yn ch co mb e , 2 3 1 Ga. 5 8 9

, 5 9 2 -9 3 (2 0 3 SE2 d 2 0 8) (1 97 4 ), d i s ap p r o ved

o f b y S ta t e v. Hen d

r i xs o n , 2 5 1 Ga. 8 5 3 , 8 5 4 (3 1 0 SE2 d 5 2 6) (1 98 4 ).

1 6 S ee OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -2

.

1 7 Fa vo r s , 1 8 2 Ga. A pp

. at 1 7 9 (1 ); s ee Hen d r i xs o n , 2 5 1 Ga. at 8 5 4 ( h o l d i n g

t h at s t at u t o ry p ro v i s i on fo r l i fe i m p ri s o n m en t u p o n co n v i c t i o n o f s eco n d o ffen s e i s

n o t an in d ep en d en t o ffen s e wh i ch m u s t b e al l eg ed i n t h e i n di ct m en t ).

7OCGA § 1 7-1 6 -4 (a) (5 ) 1 8 pro vi d es t h at “ [t ] h e p ro s ecu ti n g at t o rn ey sh al l

, n o l at er t h an

t en d ay s p ri o r t o t ri al

, or at s uch t i m e as t he co u rt ord ers b u t i n n o ev en t l at er t h an t h e

b eg in n i n g o f th e tri al

, p ro v i d e t h e d efen dan t w i t h n ot i ce o f an y ev i d en ce in

ag g rav at i o n of p u ni s h m en t t h at t h e [S] tat e in t en d s t o i n t ro d u ce i n s en t en ci n g .” An d

o u r cas e l aw h as hel d t h at “ [i ] n ev al u at i n g t h e s u ffi ci en cy o f t h e St at e’ s n ot i ce, t h i s

Co u rt p laces s u b s tan ce o v er fo rm .” 1 9 Ab o v e al l

, t h e i m p o rt an t req u irem en t is t h at “ t h e

d efen d an t b e g i v en an u nm i s tak ab l e ad v an ce warn i ng t hat t h e p ri o r co n v ict i o n s wi l l

b e u s ed ag ai ns t h i m at sen ten ci n g s o t hat h e wi l l h av e en o u g h t i m e t o reb u t o r ex p l ai n

an y co n vi ct i on reco rd .” 2 0

1 8 Th e req u i rem en t fo r n o t i ce o f i nt en t t o u s e p ri o r co n v ict i on s as ag grav at i o n

o f p u n i s h m en t was i ncl u d ed i n OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -2 u n t i l 2 00 5

, w h en i t was s l i g h t l y

rev i s ed an d reco d i fi ed i n OCGA § 1 7 -1 6 -4 as p art o f t h e Cri m i n al J u s t i ce Act o f

2 0 0 5

. S ee Ga. L

. 2 00 5

, p

. 2 0

, § § 1 1

, 1 3 ; Eva n s v. S t a t e , 2 9 0 Ga. Ap p. 7 4 6

, 7 47 -4 8 (2 )

n .5 (6 6 0 SE 2 d 8 4 1 ) (2 0 0 8 ) (reco g n i zi n g reco d i fi cat i o n ). Nev ert h el es s , “ t h e co rrect

s t an d ard fo r ev al u at i ng s u ffi ci en cy o f n o t i ce has n o t ch an g ed u n der ei t h er v ers i o n o f

t h e st at u t e[.] ” Th o ma s v. S t a t e , 3 2 4 Ga. A p p

. 8 98

, 8 9 9 ( 7 5 2 S E 2 d 6 7 ) (2 0 1 3 ) (p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ).

1 9 Th o m a s , 32 4 Ga. Ap p

. at 8 9 9 (p u nct u at i o n o m it t ed ); a cco r d Eva n s , 2 9 0 Ga. Ap p . at 7 4 8 (2 ).

2 0 Th o m a s , 32 4 Ga. Ap p

. at 8 9 9 (p u n ct u at io n om i t t ed ); a cco rd Eva ns , 2 9 0 Ga. Ap p . at 7 4 8 (2 ).

8Here, as p rev i o u s ly m en t i o n ed

, t h e St at e d i d n o t in cl ud e a reci d i v i s m co u n t in

t h e i n di ct m en t

, b u t it fi rs t pro vi d ed No rd ah l wi t h n o t i ce o f i t s in t en t to seek reci d i v i s t

p u n i s h m en t i n J an u ary 2 01 4

. It l at er p ro v i d ed an am en d ed n ot i ce i n Ju n e 20 1 6

— o n e

week b efo re N o rd ah l ’ s i n it i al p l ea h eari n g an d w el l b efo re an y po t en ti al t ri al

, m u ch

l es s t h e Feb ru ary 1 0

, 2 0 1 7 h eari n g , at wh i c h h e u lt i m at el y p l ead ed g u i l t y

.

Ad d i t i o n al l y , t h e am en d ed no t i ce p ro v i d ed sp eci fi c d et ai l s reg ard i n g No rd ah l ’ s

p rev i o u s t h ree co n v i ct i o n s t h a t t h e S t at e i n t en d ed t o u se i n ag g rav at i o n o f

p u n i s h m en t , i n cl u d in g t he fact t h at t h o se o ffen ses were co n si d ered fel o n i es i n t h ei r

res p ect i ve ju ri s d i ct i o n s an d wo u l d s i m i larl y b e co n si d ered fel o n i es i n G eo rg i a. An d

al t h o u g h No rd ah l m ai n t ai n s t h at t he St at e’ s n o t i ce was u n cl ear b ecau s e i t i n d i cat ed

l o n g er term s o f in carcerat i o n t h an t h e s en t en ces t h at were act u al ly i m p o s ed fo r t h e

New Yo rk an d fed eral co n v i ct i o n s , i n d o i ng s o , h e s eek s to el ev at e t h e v ery fo rm o v er

s u b s t an ce we h av e p rev i o u sl y reject ed

. 2 1 F u rt h erm o re, n o p reju d i ce t o No rd ah l h as

2 1 S ee Th o ma s , 3 2 4 G a. Ap p

. at 90 0 -0 1 (h o l di n g t h at d efen d an t ’ s cl ai m t h at h e

co u ld n o t b e s en t en ced as a reci d i vi s t b ecau s e, al th o ug h h e an d h i s co u n sel k n ew o f

St at e’ s i n t en t

, h e di d n o t recei v e fo rm al n o ti ce, was an i m p ro p er at t em

p t t o el ev at e fo rm o v er s u b s t an ce wi t h reg ard t o t h e s t at u te’ s n ot i ce req u i rem en t ); Eva n s , 2 9 0 Ga.

A p p

. a t 7 4 8 (2 ) (h o l d in g t h at b ecau s e ev i d en ce s h o wed th at d efen d an t rece i v e d

u n m i s t ak ab l e ad v an ce w arn i n g t h at t h e St at e i n t en d ed t o u s e i d en t i fi ed p ri o r

co n vi ct i o n s i n ag g rav at i o n o f sen t en ci n g , t h e t ri al co urt d i d n o t err in fi n d i n g t h at h e recei v ed s u ffi ci en t n o t i ce).

9“ b een al l eg ed o r s h o w n , an d h arm as wel l as erro r m u st b e s h o w n t o warran t

rev ers al

. ” 2 2 Acco rd in g l y , t h e t ri al co u rt d id n o t err i n fi n d in g t hat t h e St at e p ro v i d ed

s u ffi ci en t n o t i ce o f i t s i n t en t t o s eek reci d i v i s t p u n i s h m en t

.

2

. No rd ah l al s o co n ten d s t h at t he tri al co u rt erred i n fi n d i n g t hat h i s p ri o r

f e d e r a l co n v i ct i o n fo r co n s p iracy t o t ran s p o rt s t o len g oo d s was a cri m e, wh i ch

, i f

co m m i t t ed i n Geo rg i a, wo u l d b e co n si d ered a fel o n y u n der OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -7

. Ag ai n,

we d i sag ree.

As p rev io us l y n o t ed

, N o rd ah l was s en t en ced as a reci d i v i s t u n der OCGA § 1 7

-

1 0 -7 (a) an d (c). OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -7 (a) p ro vi d es :

Ex cep t as ot herwi s e p ro v i d ed in s u b s ect i o n (b ) o r (b .1 ) o f th is C o d e

s ect i o n , an y p ers on wh o , aft er h av i n g b een co n v i ct ed o f a fel o n y offen s e

i n t h i s s t at e o r h avi n g b een co n vi ct ed u n d er t he l a ws o

f an y o t her st at e

o r o f th e Un i t e d S t a t es of a cr i me wh i ch i f co mmi tt ed wi t h i n t h i s st at e

wo u ld b e a f

el o n y an d s en t en ced t o co n fi n em en t i n a p en al in s t i t u t i o n ,

co m m i t s a fel o n y p u ni sh ab l e b y co n fi n em en t in a p en al i n s t i t u t io n sh al l

b e s en ten ced t o u n d erg o t h e l o n g es t p eri o d o f t i m e p res cri b ed fo r th e

p u n i s h m en t o f t h e s u b s eq u en t o ffen s e of wh i c h h e o r s h e st an d s

2 2 Th o ma s , 3 2 4 Ga. A p p. at 9 0 1 (p u n ct u at i o n o m it t ed ); s ee Y o u n g v. S t a t e , 2 9 0

Ga. 39 2

, 4 0 0 -0 1 (9 ) (7 2 1 SE2 d 855) (2 01 2 ) (h o l d i n g th at d efen d an t recei v ed ad eq u at e

p ri o r n ot i ce o f wh i ch o f h i s prev i o u s co n v i ct i o n s wo u l d b e u s e d a g a i n s t h i m in

s en t en ci n g h i m as a reci d i v i s t

, ev en t h o ug h d e f e n d an t as s ert ed t h at t h e p ap erwo rk

co n cern in g t h o s e co n v i ct io ns h ad s o m e erro rs ).

10co n v i ct ed

, pro v id ed t h at

, u n l es s o t h erwi s e p ro v i d ed b y l aw, t h e t ri al

ju d g e m ay , i n h i s o r h er d i s cret i o n , p ro b at e o r s u sp en d t h e m ax im um

s en t en ce p res cri b ed fo r t h e o ffen s e. 2 3

Es s en t i al l y , t h e s t at u te i m po s es m ax i m

u m s en t en ces fo r “ an y

p ers o n co n vi ct ed o f a

fel o n y wh o w as p rev i o u s ly co n v i ct ed u n d e r t h e l aws o f an y o t h er s t at e o f a cri m e

wh i ch i f co m

m i t t ed wi t h i n th is s t at e wo ul d b e a fel o n y .” 2 4 OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -7 (c) t h en

p ro v id es :

Ex cep t as ot herwi s e p ro v i d ed i n su b sect io n (b ) o r (b .1 ) of th i s Co de

s ect i o n an d s u b s ect i on (b ) o f Co d e Sect i o n 4 2 -9 -4 5

, an y p ers on wh o , aft er h av i n g b een co n v ict ed un d er t h e laws o f th i s s t at e fo r t hree fel o n i es

o r h a vi n g b een co n vi ct ed u nd er t h e l a w s o

f a n y o t h er s t a te o r o

f th e

Un i t ed S t at es o

f t h r ee cr i mes wh i ch i

f co mmi t t ed wi t h in t h is s ta t e wo u l d

b e f el o n i es , co m

m i t s a fel o n y wi t h i n t h is s t at e s h al l

, up o n co n vi ct i o n fo r

s u ch fo u rt h o ffen s e o r fo r s u b s eq u en t offen s es , s erv e th e m ax i m u m t i m e

p r o v i d e d i n t h e s en t en ce o f t h e ju d g e b as ed u p on s u ch co n v i ct i o n an d

s h al l n o t b e el i g i b le fo r p aro l e u n t i l t h e m a x i m u m s en t en ce h as b een

s erv ed

. 2 5

2 3 (Em p has is s u pp l i ed ).

2 4 Nel s o n v. S t a t e , 27 7 Ga. Ap p

. 9 2

, 9 9 (5 ) (6 2 5 SE2 d 4 65 ) (2 00 5 ) (p u n ct u at i o n

o m it t ed ); a cco r d An d

er s o n v. S t a t e , 3 3 7 G a. Ap p

. 7 3 9

, 7 4 3 (2 ) (7 8 8 SE2 d 8 3 1 ) (2 0 1 6); Jo h n s on v. S t a t e , 2 8 1 Ga. Ap p

. 7

, 1 0 (4 ) (6 3 5 SE2 d 2 7 8 ) (2 0 0 6); W o o d so n v. S t a t e , 2 4 2 Ga. Ap p . 6 7

, 7 0 (4 ) (5 3 0 SE2 d 2 ) (2 0 0 0 ).

2 5 (Em p has is s u pp l i ed ).

11Pu t s i m

p l y , s u b s ect i o n (c) req ui res t h at “ if th e [d efen d an t ] h as t h ree s u ch p ri o r fel o ny

co n vi ct i o n s , up o n a fo u rt h fel o n y co n v i ct i o n t h e p ers on m u s t s erv e t h e s e n t e nce

wi t h o u t t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f p aro l e.” 2 6

Ci t i n g M a t h i s v. Un i t ed S t a t es , 2 7 N o rd ah l arg u es t h at h i s fed eral co n vi ct i o n fo r

t h e offen s e o f co n s p i racy to t ran s p o rt st ol en go o d s 2 8 was no t a cr i m e , wh i ch

, i f

co m m i t t ed i n Geo rg i a, wo u ld h av e b een co n si d ered a fel on y u n d er OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -7

(a) an d (c). Bu t No rd ah l ’ s rel i an ce o n Ma t h i s i s m i s p l aced

. At i s s u e i n Ma th is was t h e

fed eral Arm ed Career Cri m i n al Act (“ ACCA”), wh i ch i m p o s es a 1 5 -y ear m an d at o ry

m i n i m u m s en t en ce o n cert ai n fed eral d efen d an ts wh o h av e t h ree pri o r co n v i ct i o n s fo r

a “ v io l en t fel o ny ,” in cl u d in g “ b u rg l ary , ars o n, o r ex t o rt i o n .” 2 9 Th en , i n l i s t i n g t h o s e

cri m es , th e Co u rt n o ted t h at i t h a d p r e v i o u sl y h el d t h at “ Co n g res s referred o n ly to

t h ei r u s u al or (i n ou r t erm i n o l o g y ) g en eri c v e r s i o n s

— n o t t o al l v ari an ts o f t h e

o ffen s es .” 3 0 An d “ a s t o b u rg l ary

— t h e o ffen s e rel ev an t i n th i s cas e— t h at Co n g res s

2 6 Nel s o n , 2 7 7 Ga. Ap p. at 9 9 -1 0 0 (5 ) (p u nct u at i o n o m i t t ed ); a cco r d An d er s o n , 3 3 7 Ga. Ap p . at 7 43 (2 ).

2 7

_

_ _ U.S. _

_ _ (1 3 6 SCt 2 2 4 3 , 1 9 5 LE2 d 6 0 4 ) (2 0 16 ).

2 8 S ee 1 8 USC § 2 3 1 4.

2 9 S ee 1 8 USC § 9 2 4 (e) (2 ) (B) (i i ); Ma t h is

, 1 3 6 SCt at 2 2 4 8 (1 ) (A).

3 0 Ma t h i s , 1 3 6 SCt at 2 2 4 8 (I) (A).

12m ean t a cri m e co n t ai n in g t h e fo l l o wi n g el em en t s: an u n l awfu l o r u n pri v i l eg ed en t ry

i n t o a bu i l d i n g o r o t h er s t ru ct u re, w i t h i n t en t t o co m m i t a cri m e.” 3 1 Th e Co u rt t h en

s t at ed t h at “ [t ] o d et erm i n e wh et h er a p ri o r co n v i ct i o n i s fo r gen eri c b urg l ary (o r o t h er

l i st ed cri m e) co u rt s ap p l y wh at i s k n o wn as t he cat eg o ri cal ap p ro ach : Th ey fo cu s

s o l el y o n wh et h er t h e el em en ts o f t h e cri m e o f co n vi ct i o n s u ffi ci e n t l y m at ch t h e

el em en t s o f g en eri c b u rg lary

, wh i l e i g n o ri n g t h e p art i cu lar fact s o f t h e cas e.” 3 2 Th e

Co u rt fu rt h er ex p l ai n ed t h at

[a] cri m e co u n ts as “ b u rg l ary ” u n d er th e Act i f i t s el em en t s are t he s am e

as , o r n arro wer th an , t ho s e of t h e g en eri c o ffen s e. Bu t i f t h e cri m e o f

co n v i ct i o n co v ers an y m o re co n d u ct t han th e g en eri c o ffen s e, t hen it i s

n o t an ACCA “ b u rg l ary ”— ev en i f t h e defen d an t ’ s act ual co n d u ct (i .e.,

t h e fact s o f t he cri m e) fi t s wi t h i n t h e g en eri c o ffen s e’ s b o un d ari es

. 3 3

T u rn i n g t o t he s p eci fi c fact s o f M a t h i s , t h e Su prem e Co u rt n o t ed t h at t h e

d efen d a n t p l ead ed g u i l t y t o b ei n g a fel o n i n p o s s es si o n o f a fi rearm , an d at

s en t en ci n g , t h e Di s t ri ct Co u rt i m p o s ed t h e A CCA’ s 1 5 -y ear m in i m u m pen al t y b as ed

3 1 Id

. (p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ).

3 2 Id

.

3 3 Id

.

13o n t h e d efen d an t ’ s fi v e pri o r co n v i ct i o n s fo r bu rg l ary u n d er Io w a l aw. 3 4 Bu t t h e

Su p rem e Co urt fo un d th at Io wa’ s b u rg l ary s t at u t e, wh ich en co m p as s ed en try i n t o an y

b u i l d i n g , s t ru ct u re, o r l an d

, w at er, o r ai r veh i cl e, s et o u t al t ern at i v e m ean s o f fu l fi l l i n g

i t s l o c a t i o n al el em en t

, wh ich were b ro ad er t h an t h e l o cat i o nal el em en t of g en eri c

b u rg lary

, i .e. , en t ry i n to a b u il d i n g o r o t h er s t ru ct u re. 3 5 An d

, in n o u n cert ai n t erm s , t h e

Su p rem e Co urt h el d t hat “ a s t at e cri m e can n ot q u al i fy as an ACCA p r e d i c a t e i f i t s

el em en t s are b ro ad er t han t h o s e o f a l i s t ed g en eri c o ffen s e.” 3 6 Gi v en t h es e p art i cu l ar

cir c um s t an ces , t h e Co u rt h el d t h at t h e d efen d an t ’ s p ri o r Io wa co n v i ct i o ns fo r b u rg l ary

d i d no t q u al i fy as p red i cat e v i o l en t fel o n y o ffen s es fo r 1 5 -y ear m an d at o ry m i n i m u m

s en t en ce u n d er t h e ACCA. 3 7

Em p l o y i n g t hi s “ el em en t s o n l y ” t es t

, No rd ah l arg u es th at h is p ri o r co n v i ct i o n

fo r t he o ffen se o f co ns p i racy t o tran s p o rt s t o l en g o o d s 3 8 can no t b e co ns i d ered a fel o ny

3 4 Id

. at 22 5 0 (I) (B).

3 5 Id

.

3 6 Id

. at 2 2 5 1 (II) (A); s ee, e.g

. , Ta yl o r v. Un i t ed S t at es , 4 95 U .S. 5 7 5

, 6 0 2 (IV) (1 1 0 SCt 2 14 3 , 1 0 9 LE2 d 6 0 7 ) (1 9 9 0 ).

3 7 See Ma t hi s , 1 3 6 SCt at 22 5 1 (II) (A) (h o l d i ng th at

, u n d er t h e A C C A

, a

s en t en ci n g ju d ge m ay l o ok o n l y t o “ th e el em en t s o f t h e o ffen s e, n o t t o t h e fact s o f t h e d efen d an t ’ s co n d u ct ” (p u n ct uat i o n o m i t t ed )).

3 8 S ee 1 8 USC § 2 3 1 4.

14i n Geo rg i a b ecau se i t s el em en t s are n o t t h e s am e as an y Geo rg i a fel o n y o ffen s e,

i n cl u d i n g co n s p i r a cy t o co m m i t t h eft b y recei v i n g , as t h e St at e arg u es

. Bu t as

d i s c u s s ed s u

p r a , i n Ma t h is

, t h e Su p rem e Co urt was s p eci fi cal l y d i rect in g fed er a l

co u rt s as t o t h e m an n er i n wh i ch t o ap p l y a fed eral l aw— t h e A CCA. 3 9 An d n o t h i n g

i n th e o pi n io n can b e co n s t ru ed as t h e Su p rem e Co u rt o f t he Un it ed St at es m an d at i n g

t h at s t at e co u rt s s i m i l a r l y em p l o y an “ el em en t s on l y ” t es t wh en i n t erp ret i n g an d

ap p ly i n g s t at e-s p eci fi c s en t en ce-en h an ci n g s t at u t es

.

M o reo v er, i n co ns t ru i ng Geo rg i a’ s reci d i vi s t s tat u t e , OCGA § 17 -1 0 -7

, t h i s

Co u rt h as h el d th at “ [t ] h e St a t e b e a r s t he b urd en o f sh o w i n g t h at t h e fo rei g n

co n vi ct i o n s w ere fo r co n d u ct w h i ch wo ul d b e co n s i d ered fel o n i ou s u n der t h e l aws o f

t h i s s t at e.” 4 0 Ap p l y i ng th at t es t i n t h i s m at t er, we n o t e t h at No rd ah l was ch arg ed i n t h e

Un i ted St at es Di s tri ct Co u rt fo r t h e Eas t ern D i s t ri ct o f New Yo rk wi t h co n s p i racy to

t ran s po rt s t o l en go o d s u nd er 18 USC § 2 31 4

, wh ich p ro vi d es : “ W h o ev er t ran s p o rt s ,

t ran s m i t s , o r t ran sfers i n i n t ers t at e o r fo rei g n co m m erce an y g o o d s , war es ,

m erch an d i s e, s ecu ri t ies or m o n ey , o f t h e v al u e o f $ 5,0 0 0 o r m ore, k n o wi n g th e s am e

3 9 S ee s u p r a n o t es 2 7 t h ro u g h 3 2

.

4 0 W o o d so n v. S t a te

, 2 4 2 Ga. Ap p

. 6 7

, 70 (4 ) (5 3 0 SE2 d 2 ) (2 00 0 ) (p u n ct u at i o n

o m it t ed ) (em

p has i s s up p l i ed ); a cco r d Da vi s v. S t at e , 3 1 9 Ga. Ap p

. 5 0 1, 5 0 4 (2 ) (7 3 6

SE2 d 1 6 0) (2 0 1 2).

15t o h av e b een s t o l en , co n v ert ed o r t ak en b y frau d

. . . [s ] h al l be fi n ed un d er t h i s t i t l e

o r i m p ri so ned n o t m o re th an t en y ears , o r b o t h .” Su bs eq u en tl y , h e p l ead ed g u i l t y to

t h e fed eral ch arg e, ad m it t i n g th at h e s t o l e m o re t h a n $ 5

, 0 0 0 wo rt h o f s i l v er fro m

v a r i o u s h o m es , wh ich h e b u rg l ari zed

, an d th at he t ran s p o rt ed t h at s to l en p ro p ert y

acro s s s t at e l in es

.

As t h e St at e arg u ed b el o w (an d s i m i l arl y arg u es o n ap p eal ), t h e o ffen s e u n d er

Geo rg i a l aw t h at is m o s t cl o s el y rel at ed t o t h e afo rem en t i on ed fed eral o ffen s e i s t h eft

b y recei vi n g , wh i ch i s co m m i t t ed wh en a p ers o n “ r e c e i v es , di s p os es o f, o r ret ai n s

s t ol en p ro p e r t y w h i ch h e k n o w s o r s h ou l d k n o w was s t o l en un l es s t h e p ro p ert y i s

recei v ed

, d i s p o s ed o f, o r ret ai n ed wi t h i n t e n t t o r es t o re i t t o t h e o wn er.” 4 1 An d in

2 0 0 0

, wh en No rd ah l co m m i t t ed t h e fed eral offen se, i f t h e v al u e o f t h e p ro pert y t h at

was t h e s u b

ject o f t h e t h eft ex ceed ed $ 5 0 0

, t he defen d an t was s u b ject to

i m p ri s o n m en t fo r u p t o ten y ears

. 4 2 Th us , s uch an o ffen s e wa s cert ai n ly p u n i s h ab l e

4 1 S ee OCGA § 1 6 -8 -7 (a).

4 2 S ee fo rm er OCGA § 1 6 -8 -1 2 (a) (1 ) (2 0 0 0 ) (“ A p ers o n co n vi ct e d o f a

v i o l at i o n o f Co d e Sect io n s 16 -8 -2 t o 1 6 -8 -9 s h al l be p u n is h ed as fo r a m i s d em ean o r

ex cep t

. . . [i ] f t h e pro pert y wh i ch was t h e s u bject o f th e t h eft ex ceed ed $ 5 0 0 .0 0 in

v al u e, b y i m

p ri s o n m en t fo r n o t l es s t h an o n e n o r m o re t h an t en y ears o r, i n t h e d i s cret i o n o f t h e t ri al ju d g e, as fo r a m i s d em ean o r.

. . .”); Ba ker v. S t at e , 2 3 4 Ga. Ap p. 8 4 6

, 8 4 7 (5 0 7 SE2 d 4 7 5 ) (1 9 9 8 ) (h o l d i n g t h a t d efen d an t’ s th eft b y recei v i n g o f

l o t t ery t ick et v al u ed at $ 5 ,0 0 0 co n s t it u t ed a fel on y ); Ho l la n d v. St a t e , 2 32 Ga. Ap p.

16as a fel o ny

. G i v e n t h es e part i cu l ar ci rcu m st an ces , i n p l ead in g g u il t y t o t h e fed eral

o ffen s e, N o rd ah l ad m i t t ed t o co n s pi ri n g t o p o s s es s an d tran s p o rt p ro p ert y , wh i ch h e

k n ew t o b e st o l en an d wh i ch was wo rt h wel l i n ex ces s o f $ 5 0 0

. C o n s eq u en t l y , in

s u b m i t t i n g ev i d en ce o f N o r d a h l ’s g u i lt y p lea t o t h e fed eral ch arg e of co ns p i racy to

t ran s po rt s t o l en g o od s , as wel l as t h e o th er t wo bu rg l ary ch arg es , t he St at e m et i t s

s t at u to ry b u rd en o f p ro v i n g t h at No rd ah l was co n v ict ed o f co n d u ct w h i ch wo u l d b e

2 8 4

, 28 5 (2 ) ( 5 0 1 SE2 d 8 2 9 ) (1 9 9 8 ) (h o l d i ng t h at d efen d an t w as fo u n d gu i l t y o f

u n l awfu l l y t ak i n g o v er $ 5 0 0 o f g ro cery s t o re’ s pro p ert y , wh i ch was a fel o n y ). W e fu rt her n o t e t h at u n d er O CGA § 1 6 -4 -8

, “ [a] p ers o n co n v i c t ed o f t h e o ffen s e o f

cri m i n al co n s p i racy t o co m m i t a fel on y s h al l be p u n i s h e d b y i m p ri s o n m en t fo r n ot
l es s t h an o n e y ear n o r m o re t h an o n e-h al f t h e m ax i m u m p eri o d o f t i m e fo r wh i ch h e

co u ld h av e b een s en t en ced i f he h ad b een co n vi ct ed o f t h e cri m e co ns p ired t o h av e b een co m

m i t t ed

. . . .” A cco rd i n g l y , wh i le t h e s en t en ci n g r e l ev an t to co n s p i racy

o ffen s es i s l es s s t ri n g en t

, co n sp i racy t o co m m i t a fel o n y is

, n ev ert h el es s, al s o a fel o n y

.

17co n si d ered fel o n i ou s un d er t h e l aws o f t h i s s t at e. 4 3 An d acco rd i n g l y , t he t ri al co u rt d id

n o t err i n s en t en ci n g No rd ah l as a reci d i v is t u n d er OCGA § 1 7 -1 0-7 (a) an d (c).

3 . No rd ah l fu rt h er co n t en d s t h at t he t ri al co u rt erred i n sen t en ci n g h i m u n d er

OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -7 (a) an d (c) rat h er t h an t h e reci d i v i s t p ro vi s i o n s o f OCGA § 1 6 -7 -1

(b ), 4 4 wh i ch s p eci fi cal l y p ert ai n t o rep eat ed b u rg l ary co n vi ct io n s an d

, u n l i k e OCGA

4 3 S ee Nel s o n , 2 7 7 Ga. Ap p

. at 1 0 0 -0 1 (5 ) (a) (h o l d i n g th at ev en t h o u g h t h e d efi n i t i o n o f t h i rd -d eg ree b u rg l ary u n d er New Yo rk l aw i s m o re ex p an s iv e t h an t h e d e f i n i t i o n of b u rg l ary u n d er Geo rg i a l aw, an d t he New Yo rk co nv i ct i o n fo r t h i rd

d eg ree as s au l t at i s s u e wo u l d b e a m i sd em ean o r un d er Geo rg i a l aw, b o t h New Yo rk

co n vi ct i o n s w ere fo r co n d u ct w h i ch wo ul d b e co n s i d ered fel o n i ou s u n der t h e l aws o f

Geo rg i a, an d t h u s, th e t ri al co u rt d i d n ot err i n s en t en ci n g d efen d an t a s a r eci d i v i s t

u n d er O C G A § 1 7 -1 0 -7 (c)). Cf

. Da vi s , 3 1 9 Ga. Ap p

. at 5 0 4 -0 5 (2 ) (h o l d i n g t h at
b e cau s e Geo rg i a l aw co n tai n s n o co m p arab l e p ro v i s i o n t o defen d an t ’ s f e d e r a l

co n vi ct i o n , wh i ch cri m i n al i zed t h e t h eft o r p os s es s i o n o f s t o l en m ai l p er s e, t h e St at e b o re t h e b u rd en o f s h owi n g t h at d efen d an t ’ s co n d u ct wo u l d b e co n s id ered fel o n i ou s i n G e o r g i a an d vacat i ng d efen d an t’ s reci d i v i st s en t en ce wh en St at e fai led t o m eet

s u ch bu rd en ); W

a ll ace , 1 7 5 Ga. Ap p . 6 8 5 , 6 8 7 (6 ) (3 3 3 SE2 d 8 7 4) (1 98 5 ) (h o l d i n g

t h at i t i s n o t n eces s ari l y t h e cas e t hat th e d efen d an t ’ s fed eral co n v i ct i on was f o r

co n du ct wh i ch wo u l d be co n s i d ered fel o n i o u s u n d e r t h e l a w s o f G eo rg i a, an d t h at

co n vi ct i o n t h erefo re co ul d n o t b e co n si d ered a p ri or fel o n y co n v i ct i o n wi t h i n t h e

m ean i n g o f OCGA § 1 7-1 0 -7 ).

4 4 See OCGA § 1 6 -7 -1 (b ) (“ A p ers o n w h o co m m i t s t h e offen s e o f b u rg l ary in

t h e fi rs t deg ree s h al l b e g ui lt y o f a f e l o n y an d

, u p o n co n v i ct i o n t h ereo f, s h al l b e

p u n i s h ed b y im

p ri s o n m en t fo r n o t l es s t h an o n e n o r m o re th an 2 0 y ears

. Up o n t h e

s eco n d co n v i ct i o n fo r b u rg l ary i n t h e fi rs t d eg ree, t h e d efen d an t s h al l b e g u i l t y o f a

fel o n y an d s h al l b e p u n i s h ed by i m p ri s o n m en t fo r n o t l es s t h an t wo n o r m o re t h an 2 0

y ears

. Up o n t h e t h i rd an d al l s u b s eq u en t co n vi ct i o n s fo r bu rg l ary i n t h e fi rs t d eg ree,

t h e d efen d an t s h al l b e g u i l t y o f a fel on y an d s h al l b e p u n is hed by i m p ri s o n m en t fo r

n o t l es s t h an fi ve n or m o re t h an 2 5 y ears .”).

18§ 1 7 -1 0-7 (c), wo u l d n ot h av e m an d at ed t hat h e s erv e th e m ax i m u m t i m e pro v i d ed in

t h e s en t en ce. On ce ag ai n , we d i s ag ree.

It i s wel l es t ab l i s h ed t h at wh e n “ a n y u n cert ai n t y d ev el o p s as t o wh i ch p en al

cl au s e i s ap p l i cab l e, t h e accu s ed i s en ti t l ed t o h av e t h e l e s s e r o f th e t wo p en al ti es

ad m i n is t ered .” 4 5 Bu t t h at p ri n ci p l e d o es n o t co n tro l h ere “ u n l es s O CGA § 1 6 -7 -1 (b )

an d OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -7 (a) are ‘c o n fl i ct in g p ro v i si o n s.’ ” 4 6 An d al t h ou g h an y

am bi g ui t i es i n cri m i n al s t at ut es “ m u s t b e c o n s t r u ed m os t fav o rab l y t o t h e

d efen d an t ,” 4 7 t h e Su p rem e Co u rt o f Geo rg i a h as ex p l i ci t ly h el d t h at OCGA § 1 6 -7 -1

(b ) an d O CGA § 1 7 -1 0-7 can b e read i n h arm o n y, fi n d i n g t h at “ t h e fo rm er s p eci fi c

reci di v i s t s t at u t e ap p l i es wh en t h e d efen d an t i s a h ab i t ual b u rg lar h av in g o nl y p ri o r

co n vi ct i o n s fo r b u rg l ary , wh ereas t h e l at ter g en eral reci d i vi s t s tat u te ap p li es wh en t h e

d efen d an t i s a h ab i t u al fel o n wi t h p ri o r co n v i ct i on s fo r ot h er cri m es .” 4 8 In d eed

, o u r

4 5 Br o wn v. S t a t e , 27 6 Ga. 6 0 6

, 6 0 8 -0 9 (2 ) (5 8 1 SE2 d 3 5 ) (2 0 0 3 ) (p u n ct u at i o n

o m it t ed ); a cco r d Go l d

b er g v. S t a t e , 2 8 2 Ga. 5 4 2 , 5 4 3 (6 5 1 SE2 d 6 6 7 ) (2 0 0 7 ).

4 6 Go l d b er g , 2 8 2 Ga. at 5 4 3 -4 4 (p u nct u at i o n o m i t t ed ).

4 7 Id

. at 54 4 (p u nct u at i on o m i tt ed ).

4 8 Id

. at 54 7 ; a cco rd Ken ned

y v. S t a t e , 3 0 2 G a. Ap p

. 2 8 9

, 2 9 0 (6 9 0 SE2 d 2 5 5 ) (2 0 1 0); s ee Nel

so n , 2 7 7 Ga. Ap p

. at 1 0 1 (5 ) (b ) (“ T he ex i s t en ce o f pri o r fel o ny

co n vi ct i o n s i n ad di t i o n t o t h o se fo r b u rg l a ry rem o v es t h e cas e fro m t h e ex cl u s i v e

p ro v is i o n s o f OCGA § 1 6-7 -1 (b ) an d al l o ws fo r t h e ap p l i cat i on of t h e rep eat o ffen d er

19Su p rem e Co u rt fu rt h er n o t ed t h at “ [a] n y o th er ho l d i n g fai l s to g i v e effect t o t h e

Gen eral As s em

b l y ’ s [ex p res s ed t ex t u al ] i n t en t t h at su b s ection (e) o f O CGA § 1 7 -1 0 -7

b e g i v en s u b s t an t i v e co ns i derat i o n .” 4 9 Th u s ,

[c] o n s t ru i n g t h e t

w o pr o visions t oge the r , the Gen eral As s em b l y i nt en d ed

t h at a hab i t ual b u rg l ar b e g i v en t h e b en efi t o f t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s s en t en ci n g

d i s cret i o n , b u t i t fu rt her i n ten d ed

, t h at a hab i t u al b u rg l ar wh o i s al s o a

h ab i tu al fel o n b e s u b

ject t o t h e i m

p o s i t i o n o f th e l o n g e s t s en t en ce

p res cri b ed fo r t h e s u b s eq u en t o f f e n s e fo r wh i ch h e o r sh e w as

co n v i ct ed

. 5 0

N or da h l arg u es , i n t er al i a , t h at b ecau s e h i s fed eral co n v i ct i o n d i d n o t c onstitute

a cri m e, wh i ch

, i f co m

m i t t ed i n Geo rg ia, wo u l d b e co n s i d ered a fel on y u n d er OCGA

§ 1 7-1 0 -7 (a) an d (c), t h e o nl y p ri o r co nv i ct i o n s s u b m i t t ed b y t h e St at e as ev i d en ce

i n ag g rav at i o n o f s en t en ci n g were b u rg l ari es . He, t h erefo re, co n cl u d es t h at t h e t ri al

co u rt erred i n s en ten ci n g h i m u n d er OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -7 (a) an d (c), rat h er t h an u n d er

t h e bu rg l ary -s peci fi c reci d i v i st s en t en ci n g pro v i si o n s i n O CGA § 1 6 -7 -1 (b ). Bu t as

we h el d in D i v i s i o n 2

, su p ra , No rd ah l ’ s fed eral co nv i ct i o n d i d

, i n fact

, co n s t i t u t e

s t at u te fo r s en t en ci ng p u rp os es .” (p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed )).

4 9 Go l d b er g , 2 8 2 Ga. at 5 4 7

.

5 0 Id

. ; acco r d Ken n ed

y , 3 0 2 Ga. Ap p

. at 2 9 0 ; see Nel s o n , 2 7 7 Ga. Ap p

. at 1 0 1 (5 ) (b ).

20co n du ct wh i ch wo u l d b e co ns i dered fel o ni o u s u n d er t h e laws of t h i s s t at e. As a res u l t

,

b ecau s e N o rd ah l ’ s “ co n v i ct i o n i n t h i s cas e rep res en t ed no t o n l y h i s t h i rd b u rg l a r y

co n vi ct i o n b u t al s o h i s [fo u rt h] fel o n y co n v i ct io n , h e fel l s q u arel y wi t h i n t he am b i t

o f OCGA § 17 -1 0 -7 (c).” 5 1 Acco rd i ng l y , t he t ri al co u rt p ro perl y s en ten ced No rd ah l

as a r e ci d i v is t u n d er t h e g en eral reci d i v i s t p ro v i s i o n s co n t ai n ed t h at st at u t e rat h er t h an

u n d er OCGA § 16 -7 -1 (b ).

Fo r al l t h es e reas o n s , we affi rm t he t ri al co u rt ’ s s en t en ce.

Ju d g men t a f f i r m ed . Ra y a n d S el f , JJ., co n cu r

.

5 1 Ken n ed y , 3 0 2 G a. Ap p

. at 2 9 0 ; s ee Nel s o n , 2 77 Ga. Ap p

. at 1 0 1 ( 5 ) (b ) (h o l d i n g t h at defen d an t’ s pri o r fel o n y co n vi ct i o n in N ew Y o rk fo r as s au lt

, i n ad d i t i o n

t o th o se fo r b u rg l ary , rem o v es t h e cas e fro m t h e ex cl us i v e p ro v i s i o ns o f OCGA § 1 6

- 7 -1 (b ) an d al l o ws fo r t he ap p l i cat i o n o f th e rep eat o ffen der s t at u t e, OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -7 (c), fo r s en t en ci ng pu rp o s es ); St ep h en s v. S t a t e , 25 9 Ga. Ap p

. 5 6 4

, 56 5 (5 7 8 SE2 d

1 7 9 ) (2 00 3 ) (h ol d i n g t h at in l i g h t of t h e i n tro d u ct i o n o f a p ri o r fel o n y co n v i ct i o n fo r fo rg ery i n ad d i t io n t o d efen d an t ’ s p ri o r co n v i c t i o n fo r b urg l ary , d efen d an t was , fo r

s en t en ci n g p u rp o s es , m o re t h an a m ere t wo -t i m e b u rg l ary o ffen d er un d er t h e s p eci fi c reci di v i s t p ro v i s i on s of OCGA § 1 6 -7 -1 (b ), b ut

, rat h er, was a t h ree-t i m e fel o ny

o ffen d er u n d er t h e g en eral reci d i v i s t p ro v is i on s o f OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -7 (a)).

21