Opinion ID: 1104462
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: the trial court committed reversible error by proceeding to sentence appellant without allowing appellant or appellant's counsel any opportunity to request allocution in mitigation of appellant's sentence

Text: In Berry v. State, 288 So.2d 457, 460 (Miss. 1974) this Court held: If allocution is considered to be a right in felony cases, it must be considered as having been waived in the complete absence of any action on the part of the accused to indicate a desire to exercise it. See Myers v. State, 254 So.2d 891 (Miss. 1971). The record does not indicate that Johnson or her attorney made any attempt to request to make a statement prior to sentencing. Thus under the holding in Berry the right is considered waived. Appellant cites United States v. Sparrow, 673 F.2d 862 (5th Cir.1982) in which the federal court took the position that the failure of the sentencing judge to afford a defendant his `absolute right' of allocution is error, requiring reversal for resentencing. 673 F.2d 865. While such may be the state of federal case law it is not the current law in Mississippi. There is no absolute right of allocution under criminal practice in Mississippi. It can also be noted that in imposing sentence the trial judge took into consideration appellant's age, lack of prior criminal record, family situation and other aspects of the case.