Court Opinion

ID: 9848685
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 04:25:10.247441+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:18:37.003207
License: Public Domain

D. T. Anderson, J.
(dissenting). I respectfully dissent. This was not the first conviction of defendant after enactment of the statute permitting indeterminate sentencing. 1927 PA 175 grants to circuit judges the basic authority to sentence but restricts the penalty so that it will not be greater *86than the penalty prescribed by law (Ch IX, § 1). MCLA 769.1; MSA 28.1072. A further limitation is placed on that general authority by Ch IX, § 8, 1927 PA 175 (MCLA 769.8; MSA 28.1080), which provides:
"When any person shall hereafter be convicted for the ñrst time of crime committed after this act takes effect * * * the court imposing sentence shall not fix a definite term of imprisonment, but shall fix a minimum term * * * . The maximum penalty provided by law shall be the maximum sentence”. (Emphasis added.)
The phrase "for the first time” was added to the language formerly contained in 1905 PA 184. When the Legislature adds words it must be considered intentional.
People v Biniecki, 35 Mich App 335; 192 NW2d 638 (1971), recognizes a conviction for escape from prison cannot be a conviction "for the first time” and holds not only that the sentence may be consecutive as authorized by statute but also it may be for a definite additional term rather than an indeterminate sentence.
People v Bowns, 39 Mich App 424; 197 NW2d 834 (1972), held that even though escape from prison was not a conviction "for the first time” the sentence could be an indeterminate sentence.
In the case here at issue the sentence was for 23 months to 24 months. It was apparently the judge’s purpose to sentence for as long a period as possible. "The sentence imposed cannot be treated as a certain, determinate sentence for any period beyond the minimum period fixed therein.” In re Forscutt, 167 Mich 438, 443; 133 NW 315 (1911).
People v Ungurean, 51 Mich App 262; 214 NW2d 873 (1974), while containing some sugges*87tion that a determinate sentence can be imposed for any except a "first conviction” is not really in point.
In re Weir, 342 Mich 96; 69 NW2d 206 (1955), is no authority to the contrary because it does not appear his conviction was other than a first conviction.
People v Lessard, 22 Mich App 342; 177 NW2d 208 (1970), merely held the judge had failed to exercise his discretion when he imposed an indeterminate sentence. Further, it does not appear this was not Lessard’s first conviction.
People v Tanner, 387 Mich 683; 199 NW2d 202 (1972), addresses itself only to the preservation of the policy contained in the indeterminate sentencing provisions of the statute. It does not consider whether an indeterminate sentence is the only type of sentence which can be imposed under the sentencing statutes. It does state, "[n]ote the court did not hold the sentences imposed [in Lessard, supra], to be determinate and thereby in conflict with MCLA 769.8; MSA 28.1080.” People v Tanner, supra, at 688. Undoubtedly the section of the statute referred to does mandate an indeterminate sentence for a "first conviction” — but for that only.
The sentencing options available to a court are:
(1) An indeterminate sentence (mandatory) for a first offense,
(2) A determinate sentence (discretionary), or an indeterminate sentence, for a second or subsequent offense, and
(3) Upon special application by the prosecutor, a supplemental determinate or indeterminate sentence for a second, third or fourth offense, with increased máximums.
I would affirm with the sentence set as a determinate sentence for a term of 23 months.