Opinion ID: 2582263
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Patten and the Same-Elements Test

Text: Since oral arguments in this case, we decided State v. Patten, 280 Kan. 385, 122 P.3d 350 (2005), which held that the same-elements test would be applied in Kansas. The issue and the analysis were discussed in terms of whether the convictions were multiplicitous. As we explained: `Multiplicity is the charging of a single offense in several counts of a complaint or information. The reason multiplicity must be considered is that it creates the potential for multiple punishments for a single offense in violation of the Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution and section 10 of the Kansas Constitution Bill of Rights.' (Emphasis added.) 280 Kan. at 388 (quoting State v. Robbins, 272 Kan. 158, 171, 32 P.3d 171 [2001]). There are two roots of multiplicity: (1) common-law and (2) K.S.A. 21-3107. State v. Schuette, 273 Kan. 593, 600-01, 44 P.3d 459 (2002). In Schuette, the court concluded the present statutory language [K.S.A. 2001 Supp. 21-3107(2)(b)], in essence, mirrors the common-law elements test, thereby leaving it as the only remaining test for multiplicity. 273 Kan. at 601. Patten, after reviewing some intervening case law, also reached the conclusion that the same-elements test should be applied to multiplicity issues. The focus in Patten was upon the confusion caused by the terminology proof of fact, confusion similar to that initially found in federal cases applying the Blockburger test. In Patten, we concluded that the proof of fact terminology had led parties to argue facts. 280 Kan. at 393. After discussing the confusion caused by an examination of facts and noting the lack of predictability that results, the court implicitly abrogated case law which had focused upon the facts that must be proven to establish those elements and held: The test for multiplicity is the strict elements test without considering the facts that must be proven to establish those elements. 280 Kan. 385, Syl. ś 4. However, the Patten decision did not explicitly analyze whether the single act of violence/merger doctrine, which was applied by the Court of Appeals panel in this case and by this court in Groves, survives.