Court Opinion

ID: 9759352
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 00:13:44.771602+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:29:01.417993
License: Public Domain

NIX, Justice,
concurring.
I am pleased to learn that the majority has belatedly recognized the fallacy of allowing a brief, whether filed or not, to satisfy the explicit requirements of Pa.R.Crim.P. 1123(a). See Commonwealth v. Pugh, 476 Pa. 445, 453, 383 A.2d 183 (1978) (Dissenting Opinion, Nix, J.) Commonwealth v. Jones, 478 Pa. 172, 180, 386 A.2d 495, 499 (1978) (Dissenting Opinion, Nix, J.).
Again I must stress that this is not a fastidious adherence to form over substance. As we attempted to stress in Commonwealth v. Waters, 477 Pa. 430, 384 A.2d 234 (1978) strict compliance with the provisions of Pa.R.Crim.P. 1123(a) is necessary to enhance the quality of review.
Where boiler plate variety motions are filed, it is often difficult, if not impossible, to determine with precision the issues actually argued before the court below. The trial court’s opinion may not refer to all questions touched upon in oral argument; the trial court may sua sponte address an issue not presented by the parties; and finally, the court may misperceive the issue actually urged by the party.
In sum, the insistence upon the requirement of specific written post-verdict motions in accordance with Rule 1123(a) enhances the quality of review; encourages professional advocacy; discourages pursuit of frivolous claims; and promotes judicial economy.
Id., 477 Pa. at 435, 384 A.2d at 237. (footnote omitted.)
My only regret is that the majority, in spite of its delayed recognition of the fallacy of Grace,1 exacerbates the situation by now adopting a prospective rule to enforce a directive that was made crystal clear with the filing of Commonwealth v. Blair, 460 Pa. 31, 331 A.2d 213 (1975), more *207than four years ago. However, since in my view the issue raised in this appeal was not properly preserved for review, I join in the mandate of the Court affirming the judgment of sentence.

. Commonwealth v. Grace, 473 Pa. 542, 375 A.2d 721 (1977).