Court Opinion

ID: 9672285
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 03:52:07.166947+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:13:50.053147
License: Public Domain

M. S. Coleman, J.
(dissent). The facts set forth in the majority opinion are accepted. Of significance, the district court found probable cause to believe that defendant was guilty of the charges of child torture and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. Defendant was bound over to circuit court and stood mute at his arraignment.
At this point in the proceedings, defendant asked for the polygraph, test in question and a member of the prosecutor’s staff "agreed” that if he "passed” the test, the case would be dismissed. The examiner found that the "Emotional re*324sponses given on the polygraph test * * * were not sufficient to indicate deception * * * ”. An order of nolle prosequi entered by the circuit judge without objection. We do not know what transpired when the case was dismissed or if the judge took note of the evidence filed in the case as required because no record was made.
Subsequently, however, the prosecutor had cause to question the validity of the polygraph test. A new warrant was issued and again defendant was bound over after, a preliminary hearing and was arraigned in circuit court.
Trial and conviction on the original charges provide the issue upon which this appeal was granted.
No reasonable person could dispute the majority’s contention that "Law enforcement processes are committed to civilized courses of action”. However, I must respectfully disagree with the implication that the prosecutor may never rectify an improvident consent to an order of nolle prosequi.
The majority readily admits that generally a nolle prosequi is a dismissal without prejudice which does not preclude initiation of a subsequent prosecution. People v Curtis, 389 Mich 698; 209 NW2d 243 (1973). Likewise, the majority readily concedes that this was not a plea bargain situation. Santobello v New York, 404 US 257; 92 S Ct 495; 30 L Ed 2d 427 (1971). In fact, in no way is this a Santobello case.
In an attempt to support their position, my colleagues cite State v Davis, 188 So 2d 24 (Fla App, 1966), and Butler v State, 228 So 2d 421; 36 ALR3d 1274 (Fla App, 1969), as being in point. Although finding no disagreement with the Florida language quoted, I find that Butler and Davis are inapposite on their facts.
*325In Davis, the defendant was charged with first-degree murder. The defendant agreed to plead guilty to manslaughter if the polygraph test showed he was not telling the truth.
In Butler, the defendant was charged with rape. The defendant agreed to allow the polygraph test results to be used at trial or upon appeal if the test showed he was not telling the truth.
Thus, while it may be said that the prosecution in Butler and in Davis took unfair advantage of the defendants by failing to fulfill its portion of a reciprocal agreement, no such advantage was gained here. The defendant having given up nothing has lost nothing. The worst that could have happened to him was to remain in the same legal posture.
I agree with the Butler court that "Criminal prosecutions are, of course, a deadly serious undertaking. They are not a game * * * .” Nor do I believe that "sportsmanship” is denigrated under these circumstances.
Defendant risked nothing in this one-sided "agreement” — and indeed had nothing to lose by taking the polygraph test. It is the people of Michigan who insteád are cast in the role of "losers”.
Under the circumstances of this case, I would affirm the Court of Appeals.