Court Opinion

ID: 9738175
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 19:44:01.119915+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:04.161204
License: Public Domain

WUEST, Chief Justice
(dissenting).
I dissent. Although it may have been done in the past, it is a serious error to sua sponte decide a constitutional issue of this importance. Upon their own initiative the majority is declaring a statute unconstitutional without giving the parties an opportunity to brief or argue the issue. The State, i.e., the people, have a right to be heard when there is a question on whether a statute is unconstitutional. Sua sponte consideration of constitutional issues should be reserved for exceptional cases, and only invoked when the unconstitutionality is absolutely clear.
The Supreme Courts of New Mexico, Georgia, and Iowa have upheld a statute similar to SDCL 23A-10A-6.1 from due process attacks. See, Wallace v. State, 248 Ga. 255, 282 S.E.2d 325, 330 (1981); State v. Pedersen, 309 N.W.2d 490 (Iowa 1981); State v. Boland, 309 N.W.2d 438 (Iowa 1981); State v. Aumann, 265 N.W.2d 316 (Iowa 1978); State v. Chapman, 721 P.2d 392 (N.M.1986). The Ohio Court of appeals has done so as well. State v. Pruitt, 18 Ohio App.3d 50, 480 N.E.2d 499 (1984).
Of the State opinions cited by the majority, only one, People v. McCullum, 66 Ill.2d 306, 5 Ill.Dec. 836, 362 N.E.2d 307 (1977) holds a statute placing the burden or proof on a defendant in a competency hearing is a violation of due process. The other State cases cited by the majority merely adopt the rule in the absence of a statute and place the burden of proof on the State. Contra, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled the defendant has the burden of proof. See Com. v. Martinez, 498 Pa. 387, 446 A.2d 899 (Pa.1982).
In Martin v. Ohio, — U.S. -, 107 S.Ct. 1098, 94 L.Ed.2d 267 (1987), upholding an Ohio statute placing the burden of proof on a defendant claiming self defense, the United States Supreme Court noted the common-law rule provided the defendant had the burden of proof of affirmative defenses, and that was the rule when the due process clause was adopted.
Although several Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal have held placing the burden of proof on the defendant violates due process, no case has been cited from the Eighth Circuit, and Leland and Martin indicate the United States Supreme Court is leaning toward a holding of nonviolation of due process.
Since there is a significant conflict of authority whether SDCL 23A-10A-6.1 violates due process, we should decide the due process issue when it is raised, briefed and argued. It is unfair to the State i.e., the people, to do otherwise.