Court Opinion

ID: 9518335
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 00:50:14.673391+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:28:33.686975
License: Public Domain

R. M. Maher, J.
(dissenting). Counsel for defendant asked that the trial court, in the event defend*223ant testifies, exclude reference to defendant’s prior convictions for purposes of impeachment. The trial judge replied:
"You want to bring some law * * * that will sustain your position on this between now and 2 o’clock? I will be glad to look it over. * * * J am not going to cross that bridge until I see what the prosecutor is going to ask at the time and you can approach the bench.” (Emphasis supplied.)
After a recess was taken, the following discussion took place outside the presence of the jury:
Counsel for Defendant: "Your Honor, I would like the record to reflect that quite a prolonged discussion with my client was had regarding the possibility of him testifying. I advised him that he has no obligation or duty whatsoever to testify and that his absence from the witness stand cannot be used in any way as far as the jury’s consideration of the case is concerned. I advised him that if he did take the stand, that based on the law and court rules, the prosecutor maybe able to ask him about any previous convictions.
"After consultation, he advises me it is his desire not to testify.
"Is that correct Mr. Davis?
"The Court: Is it your desire not to testify on the stand, Mr. Davis?
"Defendant: I would like to but I can’t see where it means to gain anything.
"The Court: You have weighed the options and alternatives and it is your desire and you did so advise your attorney that you did not wish to take the stand, is that correct?
"Defendant: Well, I don’t want to take the stand but—
"The Court: I didn’t get the answer. You better come up here by the microphone.
"Now, your attorney has indicated to the court that he has discussed this matter of whether you should take the stand and testify in your own behalf or not. He *224indicates to the court that he has advised you that you do have a right to testify if you so desire. Of course if you do testify it subjects you to cross examination to test th,e credibility of yourself, which might relate to prior convictions and other matters of that sort to enable the jury to determine your credibility as a witness, and you also have the right not to take the stand. If you do not take the stand and testify the court would instruct the jury — and your attorney so advised you — that they should not draw any inference from the fact that you failed to take the stand. You were exercising a constitutional right.
"Now, understanding these rights, and under these circumstances, do you desire not to take the stand, as your attorney said?
"Defendant: Yes.” (Emphasis supplied.)
The possibility of impeachment by prior convictions must be considered in determining whether or not a defendant will exercise his right to take the stand in his own defense. This is why counsel requested that the trial court exercise its discretionary authority to refuse to allow reference to defendant’s record prior to a decision as to whether or not defendant would testify. As the Supreme Court stated in People v Jackson, 391 Mich 323, 336; 217 NW2d 22 (1974):
"[T]he trial judge shall, upon request, in the exercise of his discretion, decide whether to exclude any reference to [defendant’s] prior conviction record.”
The trial judge in this case, however, refused to "cross that bridge” until defendant had already taken the stand and the prosecutor had begun his cross-examination. It is for this reason that I respectfully dissent. The trial judge erred by failing to exercise his discretion when defendant moved to exclude reference to his record prior to his decision whether or not to take the stand. People v McCartney, 60 Mich App 620; 231 NW2d 472 (1975).