Opinion ID: 2339206
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Enhanced Sentence

Text: Before imposing sentence on appellant for the CDW charge, the court inquired as to whether appellant could, because of prior felony convictions, receive an enhanced sentence under D.C.Code 1973, § 22-104a. At that time the government took the position that the provisions of that section were available for enhanced sentencing on this count. The government now concedes, however, that the provisions of § 22-104a were not properly available because the sentences for appellant's two prior felony convictions were imposed on the same day. Section 22-104a(b)(2) states in pertinent part that a person shall be considered as having been convicted of two felonies if his initial sentencing under a conviction of one felony preceded the commission of the second felony for which he was convicted. [Emphasis added.] Accordingly, the imposition of an enhanced sentence was improper, and this case must be remanded for resentencing. The remand of the case will also give the trial court the opportunity to comply with the mandatory provisions of D.C.Code 1973, § 23-111(2)(b). This section requires the trial court to ask appellant if he admits his previous convictions and to inform him that failure to challenge any such conviction before imposition of sentence would preclude later reliance on the invalidity of such conviction in attacking the sentence. See Smith v. United States, D.C.App., 356 A.2d 650 (1976).