Court Opinion

ID: 9669420
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 02:55:48.014339+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:15:56.554221
License: Public Domain

LEVINE, Justice,
concurring in result.
I write separately to stake out the narrow parameters of our decision, at least, as I believe them to be.
The crux of this case is the false identification. The holding that a false identification leads to an illegal sentence under Rule 35(a), NDRCrimP, may be a clumsy vehicle to reach a result that protects the integrity of the administration of justice but I agree it is a reasonable one under the circumstances. A defendant’s correct identity is the sine qua non of the administration of justice. I think it is also significant that a person’s identity is not usually protected by the Fifth Amendment because it is not testimonial but simply part of the “booking” routine in administering the criminal justice system. Gladden v. Roach, 864 F.2d 1196 (5th Cir.1989); United States v. Miller, 589 *118F.2d 1117 (1st Cir.1978); Spinelli v. United States, 382 F.2d 871 (8th Cir.1967).
Under Rule 35(a), NDRCrimP, Foster’s sentence was illegal because the wrong person was sentenced. Robert John Lang-ton did not commit any crime. William L. Foster did. But Foster did not receive a sentence; Langton did.
I have some concern that this decision will be used as a catapult to reopen all kinds of judgments. This case does not, however, support the proposition that every time a defendant “misleads” the court, that defendant’s sentence becomes “illegal” and subject to change when the deception is uncovered. If that were the case, finality would be as scarce as a balanced federal budget. The general rule still is that the court loses jurisdiction after sentence has been pronounced. State v. Meier, 440 N.W.2d 700 (N.D.1989); State v. Bucholz, 403 N.W.2d 400 (S.D.1987).
If Foster had truthfully identified himself but untruthfully described his past record or failed to disclose it, the result would be different. Meier, supra; Bucholz, supra. The trial court would have no jurisdiction under Rule 35(a), NDRCrimP, to “correct” the sentence because the sentence would not be illegal.
I agree that because Langton gave a fraudulent identification, his original sentence was illegal and the court had the authority to right a wrong. I, therefore, concur in the result.
MESCHKE, J., concurs.