Opinion ID: 1383224
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Motion Court's Adoption of the State's Proposed Findings

Text: Ferguson contends that the motion court erred in adopting the state's proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law verbatim, which shows that the court did not exercise independent judgment in denying relief without a hearing, and thus constituted a denial of due process. For support, Ferguson points to the fact that the motion court filed its findings, conclusions, and order the same day the state submitted its proposal. In the absence of independent evidence that the court failed to thoughtfully and carefully consider the claims, there is no constitutional problem with the court adopting in whole or in part the findings of fact and conclusions of law drafted by one of the parties. State v. Kenley, 952 S.W.2d 250, 261 (Mo. banc 1997), cert. denied, 522 U.S. 1095, 118 S.Ct. 892, 139 L.Ed.2d 878 (1998). See also State v. Basile, 942 S.W.2d 342, 362 (Mo. banc 1997), cert. denied, 522 U.S. 883, 118 S.Ct. 213, 139 L.Ed.2d 148 (1997); State v. Phillips, 940 S.W.2d 512, 521 (Mo. banc 1997). In this case, the record reflects that the motion court exercised independent judgment. The court held a lengthy hearing to determine whether any of Ferguson's claims warranted an evidentiary hearing, and then having been advised by the parties, ruled from the bench that the claims were denied. He invited both parties to submit proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, but Ferguson declined to do so. The motion court's entry of its findings, conclusions and order on the same day that the state filed its proposals proves nothing more than that the court was able to give the matter immediate attention. The point is denied.