People v. Battle

409 N.W.2d 739, 161 Mich. App. 99

• Court: Michigan Court of Appeals
• Decided: April 28, 1987
• Docket: Docket 88114
• Status: Published

Opinion

Per Curiam.

Following a jury trial, defendant was found guilty of intentionally concealing or misrepresenting the identity of a motor vehicle by altering the identification numbers, MCL 750.415(2); MSA 28.647(2). Defendant was sentenced to prison for to 4 years. Defendant appeals as of right.

Defendant first contends that the trial court improperly instructed the jury regarding prima facie evidence. Defendant did not object at trial to the instructions on prima facie evidence and, thus, this issue was not preserved for appeal. People v Kelly, 423 Mich 261, 271-272; 378 NW2d 365 (1985). A review of the instructions indicates that no manifest injustice occurred.

Next defendant argues that the presumption contained in MCL 750.415(3); MSA 28.647(3) violates his right to due process. The statute makes possession of a vehicle or auto part with the manufacturer’s serial number or engine number removed or destroyed prima facie evidence of the charged crime. A presumption in a criminal statute is regarded as irrational or arbitrary and hence unconstitutional when there is no rational connection between the proven fact and the presumed fact. To avoid a statute’s being found unconstitutional because of an irrational or arbitrary presumption, there must be substantial assurance that the presumed fact is more likely than not to flow from the proven fact on which it is made to depend. People v Rafalko, 26 Mich App 565, 569; 182 NW2d 732 (1970), citing Leary v United States, 395 US 6; 89 S Ct 1532; 23 L Ed 2d 57 (1969). In the instant case, there is a rational connection between the proven fact, possession of a defaced vehicle part, and the presumed fact, concealment with intent to mislead another. In addition, the Legislature’s determination favoring a particular presumption should be given deference by this Court when addressing questions of reasonableness. Rafalko, supra, p 569.

It should be noted that, although defendant asserts that the presumption violates his right to equal protection, defendant advanced no argument and cited no authority in support of this assertion. Therefore, the issue is not properly before this Court. People v Noble, 152 Mich App 319, 328; 393 NW2d 619 (1986).

Defendant also complains that the trial court erred in failing to quash the search warrant and suppress the evidence seized. We find no error. The police received a citizen complaint that defendant was "cutting up cars” in his back yard. Officer Henry Crump personally observed the dismantled autos in defendant’s yard, thereby verifying the citizen’s tip. The affidavit supporting the warrant recites these facts along with a reference to defendant’s prior conviction for receiving and concealing stolen auto parts.

Furthermore, the search would arguably have been proper under MCL 257.251(e); MSA 9.1951(e), which allows a police officer to inspect the records of auto parts dealers and scrap metal processors without a warrant. See People v Barnes, 146 Mich App 37; 379 NW2d 464 (1985), lv den 425 Mich 860 (1986).

Defendant’s next allegation is that he was denied effective assistance of counsel. We have reviewed each instance of alleged ineffective assistance, and we find that defendant had adequate assistance of counsel under the tests enunciated in both People v Garcia, 398 Mich 250; 247 NW2d 547 (1976), and Strickland v Washington, 466 US 668; 104 S Ct 2052; 80 L Ed 2d 674 (1984).

Finally, defendant contends that his conviction was not supported by sufficient evidence or, alternatively, that his conviction was against the great weight of the evidence. After review of the record, we disagree.

Affirmed.