Opinion ID: 2364609
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Validity of the 1960 Convictions Used for Enhancement

Text: McDaris's pro se motion alleges that the 1960 convictions were invalid because he was not represented by an attorney, and includes allegations that his conviction (or that of a codefendant) were voided in a Rule 27.26 proceeding. The motion court held no hearing nor made any specific findings on this issue (possibly because the claim was detailed after the prayer for relief, but above the verification). The State contends that the pro se motion insufficiently raised this issue by omitting whether McDaris waived counsel at the time of the 1960 convictions. The only case cited by the State is State v. Brock, 778 S.W.2d 13, 15 (Mo.App.1989), which addresses plain error review of impeachment during trial, not the sufficiency of a post-conviction pleading. Examining the various papers filed by movant with the circuit court during the sixty-day filing period, the pleadings allege that 1960 convictions were invalid due to the absence of counsel, and that a prior post-conviction court so held in this or a related case. Generally, invalid convictions may not be used to enhance punishment. United States v. Tucker, 404 U.S. 443, 448-49, 92 S.Ct. 589, 592-93, 30 L.Ed.2d 592 (1972); Burgett v. Texas, 389 U.S. 109, 114-15, 88 S.Ct. 258, 261-62, 19 L.Ed.2d 319 (1967); State v. Van Horn, 625 S.W.2d 874, 879 (Mo.1981). The appropriate course at this point is to remand for an evidentiary hearing on this issue at which the movant and the State may introduce evidence on these issues. [2]