Court Opinion

ID: 9568640
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 20:06:01.594506+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:52:39.810603
License: Public Domain

MORGAN, Justice
(concurring specially).
I concur generally with the decision, but write specially to put some limitations on my concurrence.
First of all, the scenario before us tends to be a bit confusing. Aspen was convicted of the underlying offense of DWI by a jury, admitted his identity with respect to the earlier convictions, and was then adjudged guilty of third offense DWI. Aspen’s conviction was not appealed. Later, he proceeded by habeas corpus to collaterally attack his conviction and sentencing. At this point the prosecution “blew it” and, from my view, the prison gates began to swing open for Aspen. As we held in Alexander v. Solem, 388 N.W.2d 486, 489 (S.D.1986), one attempting to collaterally attack the validity of a conviction through a habeas corpus proceeding has the burden of proof. On that point, the dissent is perfectly correct. The State had its opportunity to blow Aspen out of the water simply by introducing the evidence of the waiver of counsel by asking the court to take judicial notice of the case file. This would not be precluded by any double jeopardy restraints. Instead, State first failed to answer the petition as required by statute and then apparently admitted error, whether rightly or, as it appears, wrongly, so there was nothing more Aspen need do.
The record before the habeas court is practically nil, but the judgment of conviction on December 1, 1980, showed that he was not represented by counsel, thus making a prima facie case. Absent evidence to the contrary, the habeas court properly entered a judgment finding the sentence to be invalid and remanded the case for re-sentencing. Remand for re-sentencing on the lesser offense of second offense DWI was a proper disposition. The court specifically avoided ruling on the propriety of receiving evidence to support the original conviction. State did not appeal that decision. Indeed, it appears to be exactly what State asked for. Upon the re-sentencing procedure, after the trial court took additional evidence on the element of the prior offenses to uphold the validity of the third offense DWI conviction, Aspen appealed.
The dissent is upset by this turn of events, even while acknowledging State’s error in the handling of the habeas corpus proceedings. In determining the validity of Aspen’s constitutional attack on the re-sentencing, we cannot enter into a balancing of equities. Nor, can it be argued that, by appealing, Aspen has waived his constitutional right against double jeopardy. Aspen’s conviction was overturned by collateral attack, not by appeal. This is simply another case where the state’s attorney failed to appreciate the importance of the remedy of habeas corpus.
Upon remand, Aspen can be re-sentenced on the basis of a second offense DWI conviction, which has been substantiated by the record.
I am authorized to state that Justice SABERS joins in this special concurrence.