Opinion ID: 1930604
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: The Canadian Conviction

Text: The defendant has stipulated that the documents showing the Canadian conviction for aggravated rape are authentic, and that the defendant is the same Leslie Lowenfield. However, defendant objects to the introduction of this conviction because it has not been shown that the defendant was provided with all of the constitutional protections available in the United States. These convictions have been introduced only during the sentencing phase of the trial. This is not done to enhance the punishment, but rather to show the defendant's past criminal history in order to examine his character and propensities as required by statute. Therefore, as we stated in State v. Mattheson, 407 So.2d 1150 (La. 1981), the state does not have the burden in a sentencing hearing to affirmatively show that defendant was accorded all of his constitutional rights. The conviction serves to show that another fact finder has examined all the underlying facts and determined them sufficient to convict the defendant. This assignment has no merit.