Opinion ID: 506128
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Enhancement Penalty Provision

Text: 12 Harden next argues, as he did in his sentencing memorandum, that for purposes of the penalty enhancement provision of section 1202(a), his three prior robbery convictions should be viewed as a single conviction. Harden's assertion is disposed of by this court's recent decision in United States v. Wicks, 833 F.2d 192 (9th Cir.1987). Harden had three prior robbery convictions based on three separate, distinct robberies. The fact that he pled guilty to them on the same date makes no difference, for, as we stated in Wicks, the requirement for the predicate convictions under section 1202(a) is satisfied by any three predicate convictions, whenever obtained. Id. at 193 (emphasis added). 13 Finally, Harden asserts that under California law, prior convictions based on several counts of a single pleading are to be viewed as one conviction for the purpose of enhancement; i.e., if the sentence is to be enhanced, then the charges must be brought and tried separately. People v. Flint, 180 Cal.App.3d 13, 225 Cal.Rptr. 323 (1986); Cal.Penal Code Sec. 667 (West 1970 & Supp.1988). 4 His argument is misplaced. First, section 667's requirement that the charges be tried separately applies only to the enhancement scheme set forth in section 667. Second, and more importantly, California's enhancement scheme has no bearing on a question of federal law. This circuit has spoken on the section 1202(a) enhancement provision. See Wicks, 833 F.2d at 192. However California handles its enhancement provision is irrelevant to how enhancement is treated under federal law. Harden was convicted under a federal statute. His sentence then was enhanced under the federal statute. Federal law applies. See United States v. Houston, 547 F.2d 104, 106 (9th Cir.1976) (defendant is a felon for purposes of section 1202(a), even though his conviction is classified as a misdemeanor in California). 14 AFFIRMED.