Court Opinion

ID: 9514741
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-06 22:51:25.842008+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:06:20.452878
License: Public Domain

SABERS, Justice
(concurring in result in part & concurring specially in part).
[¶ 26.] This case is very troubling from many aspects:
1. Circuit Court Judge Davis testified as to his opinion on the question of excessiveness of the life sentence, which he previously imposed on Ramos. The majority opinion properly recognizes that this evidence was improperly solicited and received.
2. Circuit Court Judge Trimble, known to be a good friend of Judge Davis, heard the evidence on the habeas corpus hearing and decided the same in favor of the position advanced by Judge Davis. Obviously, a Circuit Court Judge may properly determine, on habeas, a decision of a fellow Circuit Court Judge. While not improper, it is troubling when the real issue in this habeas hearing is the excessiveness of Judge Davis’ sentence and his opinion on Ramos’ prospects for rehabilitation; i.e. the position of Judge Davis is the real issue.
3. Point 1 may be res judicata, but point 2 is not and neither is point 4:
4. The claim of ineffective assistance of counsel at sentencing arising from *96trial counsel’s failure to request psychiatric reports concerning rehabilitation.
5. Finally, the majority opinion states that our scope of review on habeas action is limited:
Habeas corpus can be used only to review (1) whether the court had jurisdiction of the crime and the person of the defendant; (2) whether the sentence was authorized by law; and (3) in certain cases whether an incarcerated defendant has been deprived of basic constitutional rights.
As evidenced by the appeal in Rennich-Craig v. Russell, 2000 SD 49, 609 N.W.2d 123, adherence to this improper standard of review is incorrect and confusing to the bench and the bar.
[¶ 27.] In Rennich-Craig, the State argued that Rennich was not entitled to ha-beas corpus relief based on a statutory violation. One can safely assume that this argument arose from this court’s insistence on repeatedly setting forth the above standard of review. We disagreed with the State’s argument and clarified that the standard of review in Security Savings Bank v. Mueller, 308 N.W.2d 761, 762-63 (S.D.1981) is the proper one for habeas corpus actions:
Although habeas corpus is not a substitute for direct appeal, appellant may assert jurisdictional errors which renders the first judgment void. In the context of habeas corpus, jurisdictional error is given an expansive construction. Of course, this includes personal and subject matter jurisdiction, but due process violations and compliance with substantive statutory procedures are also subject to challenge in habeas corpus proceedings.
Rennich-Craig, 2000 SD 49, ¶ 18, 609 N.W.2d at 127 (quoting Security Savings Bank, 308 N.W.2d at 762-63 (internal citations omitted) (emphasis added)). See also SDCL 21-27-16(3) (providing that habeas relief may be granted when “the process is defective in some substantial form required by law.”); St Cloud v. Leapley, 521 N.W.2d 118, 121 (S.D.1994) (stating that “[hjabeas corpus actions deal with such defects, ‘as render the proceeding or judgment absolutely void.’ ” (quoting State ex rel. Smith v. Jameson, 80 S.D. 333, 335, 123 N.W.2d 300, 301 (1963))); State ex rel. Ruffing v. Jameson, 80 S.D. 362, 366, 123 N.W.2d 654, 656 (1963) (noting that claims of error and irregularities that may have been grounds for reversal on direct appeal are not properly reviewable in habeas proceedings; but “those actions in which the court may lose jurisdiction by a denial of due process” are properly reviewable in habeas).
[¶ 28.] For the benefit of the bench and bar, the old standard of review set forth in the majority opinion should be withdrawn, or modified to incorporate our recent decision in Rennich-Craig. Otherwise, as it stands, it is incorrect, confusing and meaningless dicta, which could be harmful.
[¶ 29.] For these reasons, I concur in result except on point 5, where I concur specially.