Opinion ID: 2151235
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Constitutional right to allocution prior to imposition of sentence.

Text: Counsel for the defendant contends that defendant was deprived of a constitutional right when the trial court failed sua sponte to ask defendant before imposing sentence whether he had anything to say why sentence should not be imposed. The right which counsel contends his client was deprived of was known at the common law as the right of allocution. At early English common law criminal defendants were generally not permitted to be represented by counsel, and such defendants were not competent witnesses. Consequently they were not allowed to give testimony. As a result, no one was allowed to speak in the defendant's behalf until the trial was over, at which time the judge would ask the defendant if he had any reason why sentence should not be imposed. This stage of the common-law trial was the only point at which the defendant had an opportunity to assert a defense or some kind of mitigating evidence. Therefore, the right of allocution was not a mere formality; it was thought to be a right, and its omission usually required reversal. This right was codified by sec. 972.14, Stats., which provides: Before pronouncing sentence, the court shall inquire of the defendant why sentence should not be pronounced upon him and accord the district attorney, defense counsel and defendant an opportunity to make a statement with respect to any matter relevant to sentence. In Boehm v. State (1926), 190 Wis. 609, 209 N. W. 730, decided when the right of allocution was considered a common-law right, this court held that failure to propound the question to the defendant did not constitute prejudicial or reversible error. In Hill v. United States (1962), 368 U. S. 424, 82 Sup. Ct. 468, 7 L. Ed. 2d 417, the court, in construing the same requirement under Rule 32 (a) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, held that failure of a trial court to ask a defendant, represented by counsel, whether he has anything to say before sentence is imposed is an error which is neither jurisdictional nor constitutional. We conclude that the failure to propound the question referred to does not constitute reversible error. However, we direct the trial courts to comply with the statutory direction contained in sec. 972.14, Stats., which became effective as of July 1, 1970. By the Court. Judgment and order affirmed.