Court Opinion

ID: 9670783
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 03:26:13.821573+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:06.512097
License: Public Domain

Kavanagh, J.
(dissenting). These cases present the question of the extent of the protection against multiple punishment afforded by the Double Jeopardy Clause1 to a person convicted of both a crime which includes an underlying felony among its elements and of the same underlying felony.
I would hold that conviction of both the greater crime and of the same felony upon which proof of the greater crime depends contravenes the guarantee against being twice placed in jeopardy for the same offense.
I
Each defendant in these cases was convicted of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree involving the commission of another felony.2 The prose*497cution must, to establish the offense, prove sexual penetration and its occurrence under circumstances involving the commission of "any other felony”. Contemporaneous with his conviction of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, each defendant was also convicted, in a separate count, of the felony which supplied the "any other felony” element of the greater crime of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Defendants contend that convictions of both crimes violate their right to be free from double jeopardy.
Herbert Robideau was convicted at one trial of two counts of armed robbery, MCL 750.529; MSA 28.797, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, MCL 750.227b; MSA 28.424(2), and first-degree criminal sexual conduct. One of the counts of armed robbery also served as the "other felony” to make the criminal sexual conduct first-degree. Freddy Lee Brown was convicted in one trial of two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one of kidnapping, MCL 750.349; MSA 28.581. The prosecutor concedes that the kidnapping count "concerns the same abduction as that alleged” in the count for criminal sexual conduct. In addition to his conviction of kidnapping, Randall Dale Griffin was convicted of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree. Once again, the same kidnapping of which he was separately convicted served to prove the "other felony” element of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Chester Bouknight was convicted of two counts of armed robbery, one count of felony-firearm, and one count of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree. One of the armed robbery counts supplied the "other felony” element of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree.
The Court of Appeals in the cases of People v *498Bouknight, 106 Mich App 798; 308 NW2d 703 (1981), and People v Brown, 105 Mich App 58; 306 NW2d 392 (1981), held that separate convictions of the greater crime and its underlying felony were barred by the Double Jeopardy Clause. The two panels concluded that the offenses were the same because it was necessary for the prosecution to prove the elements of the underlying felony to prove first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Both panels were unable to find a clear expression of legislative intent to separately punish, and thus distinguished our opinion in Wayne County Prosecutor v Recorder’s Court Judge, 406 Mich 374; 280 NW2d 793 (1979). Another panel of the Court of Appeals concluded in People v Robideau, 94 Mich App 663; 289 NW2d 846 (1980), that the two offenses were not the same because any proper felony would have sufficed to prove first-degree criminal sexual conduct. The panel was persuaded, in any event, that the Legislature clearly expressed an intent to authorize multiple convictions. In the unpublished opinion of People v Griffin, the Court of Appeals dismissed defendant’s double jeopardy claim without discussion.
II
The constitution provides that "No person shall be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy”. Const 1963, art 1, § 15. This guarantees that a person shall not be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense, either at successive trials, see People v Cox, 107 Mich 435; 65 NW 283 (1895), or at one trial, see People v Martin, 398 Mich 303; 247 NW2d 303 (1976). To be placed in jeopardy is to be placed in danger of conviction. Black’s Law Dictionary (5th ed), p 749. Whether two offenses are the same is a question determined by compar*499ing the elements of the offenses and the evidence used to prove their violation.
In these cases, defendants contend that convictions of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and of the underlying felony constituted double jeopardy. They also argue that the Legislature has not clearly expressed an intent to authorize such multiple convictions under these offenses.
The people, on the other hand, maintain that the Legislature, in enacting the first-degree criminal sexual conduct statute, did intend convictions of both the greater crime and the underlying felony. This legislative intent to separately punish, the people argue, is dispositive of defendants’ double jeopardy claims.
The people assert that the Double Jeopardy Clause restrains courts and prosecutors, but does not restrain the Legislature. The reach of the constitutional guarantee is said to be co-extensive with the intent of the Legislature, because the Legislature possesses the authority to define criminal offenses. Hence, they conclude, whether these defendants may be simultaneously prosecuted under these statutes depends on whether the Legislature intended them to be.
Historically, double jeopardy presented itself in the form of successive trials, largely because of the prevailing criminal procedure of the time. Note, Twice in Jeopardy, 75 Yale L J 262, 266, fn 13 (1965). The early principle of the English common law served to protect against repeated prosecutions. Once acquitted or convicted, the defendant was freed of the great power of the state. He could not be subjected to it again for the same offense. The problem of multiple prosecutions at one trial is a contemporary one arising from the proliferation of criminal statutes adopted by legislatures. *500Particular conduct may violate several statutes, giving prosecutors the option of several charges.3
Recognizing that multiple charges simultaneously prosecuted also may put a defendant in jeopardy for the same offense, the Court has enforced the substantive meaning of the clause over its historical form. Thus, in Martin, supra, we held that convictions obtained in one trial of possession of heroin and delivery of the same heroin contravened the constitutional guarantee. "Defendant may not be 'doubly punished’ by convicting him of possession, which in this case was a necessary incident to the very delivery for which he was also convicted.” Martin, p 309. See also People v Stewart (On Rehearing), 400 Mich 540; 256 NW2d 31 (1977).
In determining the reach of the Double Jeopardy Clause, the differences between simultaneous multiple prosecutions and successive prosecutions are not of major significance. The underlying principle of the guarantee is "nemo debet bis puniri pro uno delicto”, that no person ought to be punished twice for one offense. This notion, which can be traced to Roman law,4 is implicated in either context. A defendant who is successively or simultaneously tried, is twice put in jeopardy for one wrong if the offenses of which he may be convicted are the same.
Neither precedent nor reason supports the people’s contention that the Legislature is not restrained by the Double Jeopardy Clause. Such *501circular reasoning requires a unique construction of an instrument which limits the government in all of its branches. It would surely render the clause nugatory, for if legislative intent is the governing principle, that would render the courts and prosecutors impotent to effect the protection.
More importantly, however, the people’s argument ignores the evil of double jeopardy — that of punishing more than once for one wrong. The people ignore the historical shift in power from kings to legislators and the state of modern criminal procedure. See Sigler, A History of Double Jeopardy, 7 Am J of Legal His 283 (1963). "Multiple prosecutions do engender double jeopardy concerns that are not present in single prosecutions. * * * But protection from multiple punishment for the same offense lies at the core of the Double Jeopardy Clause, and this protection is as applicable to single prosecutions as to two.” Wayne County Prosecutor v Recorder’s Court Judge, 406 Mich 374, 410; 280 NW2d 793 (1979) (Kavanagh, J., dissenting).
The Legislature is free to define offenses. The beginning point of judicial resolution of whether two offenses are the same is the Legislature’s definition of an offense. Legislative authority to define offenses, however, does not mean that it may subject a defendant to jeopardy under two offenses which are the same. Nor does it mean that legislative intent to separately punish may turn what is, in legal effect, one offense into two.
Legislative intent is informative, but not disposi-tive, of the question whether a defendant may be simultaneously charged with two offenses. The vital inquiry is whether the offenses are the same. If as between two offenses, however, the Legislature intended prosecution under only one of them, *502that should dispose of a double jeopardy claim. But if the intent is not clear or if the Legislature intended separate punishments, a court must examine the offenses for identity.
In sum, although the legislative power is broad it cannot make a circle square by definition. Neither can it make the same offense two different crimes under the Michigan Constitution.
Ill
The people contend that the first-degree criminal sexual conduct statute reflects a legislative intent to punish for both the greater crime and the underlying felony.
We must decide whether conviction of the greater offense of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and conviction of the underlying felony constitute impermissible multiple punishment.
In People v Wilder, 411 Mich 328, 342; 308 NW2d 112 (1981), we reviewed convictions of first-degree felony murder committed in the perpetration or attempted perpetration of a robbery and of the underlying offense of robbery. The two convictions and sentences could not stand together, we concluded, because "the evidence needed to prove first-degree felony murder requires proof of the underlying lesser included felony”, and so they are the same offense under the Double Jeopardy Clause.
First-degree criminal sexual conduct involving another felony requires proof of the underlying felony as a necessary element. The fact that any felony suffices does not mean that the felony alleged is not a lesser included offense. See Wilder, p 345. "[T]he question is not whether the challenged lesser offense is by definition necessarily included *503within the greater offense also charged, but whether, on the facts of the case at issue, it is.” People v Jankowski, 408 Mich 79, 91; 289 NW2d 674 (1980).
In the cases presently before the Court, the defendants were convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving another felony and of the very same underlying felony. To this extent they were twice placed in jeopardy for the same offense, contrary to Const 1963, art 1, § 15.
Defendants’ separate convictions of the underlying felonies should be vacated.
In Robideau, I would reverse the Court of Appeals decision in part and vacate one of the convictions of armed robbery. As for defendant’s other claims of error, I am not persuaded to disturb the rulings of the Court of Appeals.
In Brown, the Court of Appeals found error requiring reversal in one of Brown’s convictions of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. I would affirm the Court of Appeals decision that if retried for first-degree criminal sexual conduct, the defendant may not be separately convicted of the underlying felony of kidnapping.
In Griffin, appellant’s convictions of both first-degree criminal sexual conduct and of the underlying felony of kidnapping must be reversed. The trial court’s instructions that the asportation was sufficient if it was either for the purpose of abduction or forcible sexual assault fail to conform to People v Barker, 411 Mich 291; 307 NW2d 61 (1981). On remand, defendant should not be separately convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and of kidnapping.
The holding of the Court of Appeals in Bouk-night should be affirmed insofar as it vacates one of Bouknight’s convictions of armed robbery.

 "No person shall be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy.” Const 1963, art 1, § 15.

 MCL 750.520b(l)(c); MSA 28.788(2)(l)(c), which provides:
"A person is guilty of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree if he or she engages in sexual penetration with another person and if any of the following circumstances exists:
"(c) Sexual penetration occurs under circumstances involving the commission of any other felony.”

 "The problem of multiple criminal accusations, as an aspect of double jeopardy, is more one of our own day, when assemblies, not monarchs, are in power. * * * Protection of the accused became even more significant when the number of crimes and the severity of the punishments were increased.” Sigler, A History of Double Jeopardy, 7 Am J of Legal His 283, 289 (1963).

 Sigler, fn 3 supra, p 283.