Opinion ID: 880214
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Did the District Court err when it sentenced appellant as a persistent felony offender?

Text: Appellant contends that the District Court improperly sentenced him to an additional five years as a persistent felony offender. Appellant argues that the persistent offender statute constitutes double jeopardy. Further appellant asserts that the District Court's decision that he was a persistent felony offender was based on evidence improperly before the District Court. We disagree. This Court has soundly rejected the double jeopardy argument appellant raises to the persistent offender statute. See, State v. Maldonado (1978), 176 Mont. 322, 328-329, 578 P.2d 296, 300. Appellant provides this Court with no authority to the contrary. The persistent felony statute which authorizes enhanced sentences for recidivists does not constitute double jeopardy. Similarly, appellant's evidentiary objections are without merit. The Montana Rules of Evidence do not apply to sentencing proceedings. Rule 101(c)(3), M.R.Evid. The persistent felony offender determination is part of the sentencing proceeding. State v. Smith (Mont. 1988), 755 P.2d 569, 571-72, 45 St.Rep. 955, 958; State v. LaMere (1983), 202 Mont. 313, 321, 658 P.2d 376, 380. The District Court relied on competent evidence, certified copies of court documents from Utah and expert testimony regarding appellant's fingerprints, to establish the requirements of the persistent felony offender statute. Further, contrary to appellant's claim the State is not required to prove that the prior conviction offered for purposes of the persistent felony offender determination is constitutionally valid. See State v. Campbell (1985), 219 Mont. 194, 711 P.2d 1357, cert. denied, 475 U.S. 1127, 106 S.Ct. 1654, 90 L.Ed.2d 197 (1986). Of course, a constitutionally infirm conviction cannot be used to support a determination of a persistent felony offender. Lewis v. State (1969), 153 Mont. 460, 457 P.2d 765. Contrary to the facts in Lewis, upon which appellant relies, in the instant case the appellant has not challenged the constitutional validity of the prior conviction in Utah. We hold that the District Court properly sentenced appellant as a persistent felony offender. Affirmed. TURNAGE, C.J., and SHEEHY, BARZ and WEBER, JJ., concur.