Opinion ID: 1175465
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Proof of the Prior Convictions

Text: Defendant took the stand and admitted the prior convictions. Defendant contends that the trial court erred when the court rather than the jury found the existence of the six prior felony convictions based on defendant's trial testimony. Defendant argues that under State v. Cook, a jury trial is not required only if (1) the allegation of prior convictions includes attachments of superior court records, fingerprints and photographs of the defendant; (2) defendant admits to the convictions; and (3) the state shows it is prepared to prove the priors. 150 Ariz. 470, 473-74, 724 P.2d 556, 559-60 (1986). We do not read Cook as requiring the existence of all three requirements before the matter may be taken from the jury. It will suffice if the defendant admits the prior convictions during his testimony at trial. See State v. Pacheco, 121 Ariz. 88, 90, 588 P.2d 830, 832 (1978) (accused's admission while testifying may sufficiently establish the prior conviction); State v. Seymour, 101 Ariz. 493, 501, 421 P.2d 517, 520 (1966) (defendant's admission on the stand of a prior conviction was sufficient proof of it); State v. Hunter, 137 Ariz. 234, 238, 669 P.2d 1011, 1015 (App. 1983) (defendant's admission on cross-examination of prior convictions is inherently reliable). The court may, without submitting the matter to the jury, find that the allegation of prior conviction for the purposes of enhancement of penalty, is true. State v. Gilbert, 119 Ariz. 384, 385, 581 P.2d 229, 230 (1978); We are of the opinion that it would be an unwarranted refinement of technicality to hold that in spite of defendant's own unequivocal admission of a prior conviction for the same felony in the same state as charged in the information, for the jury nevertheless to be required to pass upon the question. Seymour, 101 Ariz. at 501, 421 P.2d at 520. The trial court did not err in removing the question of prior convictions from the jury. Defendant also argues that under Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238, 89 S.Ct. 1709, 23 L.Ed.2d 274 (1969), the trial court had a duty to tell defendant that, by testifying, he risked waiving his right to jury determination of his prior convictions. We do not agree. Boykin concerns the matters the defendant waives in pleading guilty. In the instant case, the defendant did not plead guilty and Boykin does not apply. Also, we find nothing in the record indicating that the defendant was not aware of the risk he took in testifying.