Court Opinion

ID: 9766260
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 04:38:16.438569+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:30:20.769862
License: Public Domain

PRICE, Judge
(dissenting).
The problem with which we are here confronted may be briefly stated: What length of time between an alleged probation violation and a hearing on probation revocation will be considered excessive? This problem is by no means new or novel, but is rather a recurring ill that needs to be diagnosed and cured. Our court has considered this question in the past and has largely decided each case on an individual basis with no attempt at employing uniform guidelines. I believe that such guidelines must be implemented.
We have, in the past, been faced with a similar problem when we considered allegations that the right to a speedy trial had been denied. The Supreme Court of the United States considered this issue in the landmark case of Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 33 L.Ed.2d 101 (1972), and promulgated rules to aid in its resolution. In Barker, the Supreme Court determined that in ascer*563taining whether or not a defendant was given a speedy trial, courts .would apply a balancing test. This test would consist of an examination of four factors: the length of the delay, the reason for the delay, the defendant’s assertion of his right, and the prejudice to the defendant. The length of the delay would be examined first to determine if it was presumptively prejudicial. If the length of the delay was excessive, it would trigger inquiry into the other three factors. After a review of the factors, the interests of the defendant would be balanced against the interests of society, and the final determination would be made.
Until the adoption of Pa.R.Crim.P. 1100 on June 8, 1973, the balancing test was applied by the courts of this Commonwealth. Commonwealth v. Jones, 450 Pa. 442, 299 A.2d 288 (1973); Commonwealth v. Hamilton, 449 Pa. 297, 297 A.2d 127 (1972); Commonwealth v. Hicks, 231 Pa.Super. 272, 332 A.2d 452 (1974); Commonthwealth v. Coffey, 230 Pa.Super. 49, 331 A.2d 829 (1974). Under Rule 1100, the balancing test was supplanted by definite tithe limitations for the commencement of trial. Rule 1100 expressed, to my view, our supreme court’s desire to eliminate the variable factors from a determination of this important question.
It is interesting to note that although Pa.R.Crim.P. 1409, providing for a speedy hearing on probation revocation, was adopted after Rule 1100, a definite time structure was not made a part of Rule 1409. I can only conclude that, as Rule 1100 was of such recent origin, the supreme court in adopting Rule 1409 was aware of the possibility of setting definite time limitations but re-pect this approach as undesirable.
Because definite time limitations were rejected, this suggests to me that a correct intepretation of Rule 1409 requires a somewhat less stringent test. To my view, we should employ a balancing test when considering whether a defendant was denied his right to a speedy hearing on probation revocation under Rule 1409. The *564Barker balancing test readily lends itself to a hearing such as is required in the instant case, and all the factors and relevant considerations present in the Barker situation are present in a probation revocation hearing.
In the case at bar, appellant was found guilty, on August 29, 1973, of receiving stolen goods and was placed on probation for three years. During this probation, on March 12, 1974, appellant pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and burglary and was sentenced on April 25, 1974, to one to three years imprisonment and two years probation. 'On February 3, 1975, appellant was given a hearing to determine if his 1973 probation should be revoked based on these new convictions. Appellant’s probation was revoked and he was sentenced to nine months to two years imprisonment. Approximately eleven months had passed between the March 12, 1974, guilty plea and the February 3, 1975, hearing, and approximately nine and one-half months had passed between the April 25, 1974, imposition of sentence and the hearing-
Applying a balancing test, I would conclude that the delay of eleven months is presumptively prejudicial, thus mandating an examination of the remaining criteria. Although no reason for the delay appears of record, I also note that appellant never requested a hearing. In addition, appellant shows absolutely no prejudice of the type which this court should recognize as a result of any delay.
The violation prompting the hearing was the new convictions for several serious crimes while appellant was on probation. This is not a case where witnesses might forget or evidence might disappear. Appellant’s guilt had already been established beyond a reasonable doubt and this issue may not be relitigated at the hearing. This prior determination of guilt would automatically be sufficient to support a revocation of probation.
Appellant argues that the case of Commonwealth v. White, 218 Pa.Super. 188, 279 A.2d 768 (1971), unequivo*565cally held that a five, month delay was unreasonable. However, an examination of the White decision immediately shows that this statement is not accurate. In White, our court based its decision on the fact that the probationary period had expired before the hearing on probation revocation was held. In such a situation, the prejudice is so great that the balance is tipped in favor of the appellant. No such extenuating circumstance exists in the instant case.
The only other allegation of prejudice which appellant advances is that a delay in commencing the hearing might hamper the possibility of his serving any new sentence concurrently with existing sentences. I find this to be totally without merit. The judge at the probation revocation hearing always has the option to make any new sentences imposed run concurrently or consecutively with existing sentences. Pa.R.Crim.P. 1406(a). Sentencing must remain, within statutory limits, a matter largely discretionary with the trial court. In that light, this appellant had already been convicted of a crime and had been given an opportunity to rehabilitate himself without enduring prison confinement. The fact that he did not benefit from this opportunity, as evidenced by his further criminal activity, is evidence properly considered that more restrictive measures are needed to insure his nonparticipation in illegal activities. Any penalty is, in a sense, prejudicial, but certainly not of the type recognizable on appeal.
I cannot justify further leniency for a defendant who has repeatedly demonstrated his unwillingness to comply with the laws society has enacted. Appellant broke the law and was warned that such behavior would not be condoned. He has chosen to ignore this warning. So be it.
Applying a balancing test to the case at bar, I find the facts insufficient to tip the balance in favor of appellant. I would affirm the judgment of the lower court.