People v. Bewersdorf

475 N.W.2d 231, 438 Mich. 55
CourtMichigan Supreme Court
DecidedAugust 22, 1991
DocketDocket Nos. 88095, 87729, (Calendar Nos. 2-3)
StatusPublished
Cited by75 cases

This text of 475 N.W.2d 231 (People v. Bewersdorf) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Michigan Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
People v. Bewersdorf, 475 N.W.2d 231, 438 Mich. 55 (Mich. 1991).

Opinions

Griffin, J.

The principal issue in these consolidated criminal appeals is whether the habitual offender act1 may be used to enhance a sentence otherwise applicable to a felony conviction under the Motor Vehicle Code2 for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor (ouil).3 It is argued by defendants that the two sentencing schemes stand in conflict, and that the provisions specifically applicable to a felony ouil conviction under the Motor Vehicle Code should prevail as against the general habitual offender statute. We find that the statutes in question do not conflict; rather, they "dovetail harmoniously . . . .”4 We conclude that the Legislature intended, as indicated by the plain meaning of the habitual offender act, that it be applicable to third and subsequent ouil convictions.

[60]*60I

A. PEOPLE V BEWERSDORF

After entering guilty pleas, Kim Bewersdorf was convicted of the felony of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, third offense, MCL 257.625(6); MSA 9.2325(6), and of being an habitual offender, second offense, MCL 769.10; MSA 28.1082. Defendant was charged with ouil-3, a felony, because his record included two prior misdemeanor ouil convictions within the preceding ten years. In addition, defendant had previously been convicted of the felony of breaking and entering an occupied building with intent to commit larceny, MCL 750.110; MSA 28.305.

Prior to sentencing, the circuit judge advised defendant that he was subject to a maximum prison sentence of seven and one-half years. It was explained that, absent the felony conviction for breaking and entering, defendant would have been subject under the Motor Vehicle Code to a maximum prison sentence of five years for the current ouil-3 felony. However, because this ouil-3 offense is a second felony conviction, the maximum prison sentence was enhanced under the habitual offender act by one and one-half times, or seven and one-half years. After accepting defendant’s pleas of guilty, the court sentenced him to one year in the county jail for the ouil-3 offense, and then vacated that sentence and imposed an identical sentence for the habitual offender conviction.5

Thereafter, defendant moved to withdraw his guilty pleas, claiming that he had been inade[61]*61quately advised of his rights.6 After the motion was denied, defendant appealed and for the first time challenged the applicability of the habitual offender act.7 The Court of Appeals directed defendant’s attorney to submit a brief addressing, inter alia, the question whether

the enhancement provisions of the Habitual Offender Act, MCL 769.11; MSA 28.1083, [may] be combined with the enhancement provisions of § 625(6) of the Motor Vehicle Code to generate a maximum possible punishment of years imprisonment.[8]

Thereafter, a divided Court of Appeals panel affirmed defendant’s felony ouil-3 conviction, but vacated the habitual offender conviction. 181 Mich App 430; 450 NW2d 271 (1989). Relying on People v Tucker, 177 Mich App 174; 441 NW2d 59 (1989), the majority reasoned that the specific sentencing scheme applicable to ouil offenses under the Motor Vehicle Code "prevails to the exclusion of the general habitual-offender statute.” 181 Mich App 433.

The prosecutor applied to this Court, and we granted leave to appeal. 435 Mich 867 (1990).

[62]*62 B. PEOPLE V JOHNSON

Valentine Johnson was charged with the felony offense of ouil-3, MCL 257.625(6); MSA 9.2325(6), and as an habitual offender, second offense, MCL 769.10; MSA 28.1082. When in 1987 the current charges were brought, defendant’s record included three prior convictions: a 1978 Indiana drunk-driving misdemeanor conviction,9 a 1981 Michigan ouil misdemeanor conviction, and a 1985 Michigan conviction for unlawful blood alcohol level (ubal), third offense, which had been elevated to felony status by reason of the two previous convictions.10

In this case, defendant sought to avoid felony treatment of the current ouil charge by moving to suppress evidence of all three prior convictions on the ground that the plea-taking in each case had been subject to procedural defects.11 The circuit court granted defendant’s motion with respect to the 1978 conviction and the 1985 conviction, and remanded the case to the district court for trial of the current ouil charge as a misdemeanor.

The prosecutor then sought an interlocutory appeal,12 challenging only the circuit court’s suppression ruling with respect to the 1985 conviction.13 The Court of Appeals reversed, holding that [63]*63the procedural defect claimed by defendant with respect to the 1985 conviction could not be raised "indirectly in a subsequent proceeding charging an enhanced ouil offense.”14 The ouil-3 felony charge was reinstated, and the Court of Appeals remanded the case to the circuit court for trial.15

Defendant then appealed to this Court.16 In granting leave to appeal, we let stand the Court of Appeals rulings regarding defendant’s collateral attacks on his prior convictions, and limited our focus to the relationship and applicability of the habitual offender act to ouil felony offenses.17 435 Mich 880 (1990).

[64]*64II

It is a crime under the Motor Vehicle Code for any person (1) whose blood contains an unlawful (0.10 percent or more) blood alcohol level, or (2) who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance, to operate a motor vehicle upon a highway. MCL 257.625(1), (2); MSA 9.2325(1), (2).18

Upon a first conviction, the crime is treated as a misdemeanor, and the violator may be imprisoned for not more than ninety days or fined up to $500, or both. Upon a second conviction within a seven-year period, also a misdemeanor, the maximum prison sentence escalates to one year and the fine to $1,000.19

However, one who is convicted of ouil within ten years of two or more prior ouil convictions, "is guilty of a felony,”20 punishable under the Motor Vehicle Code by imprisonment for not less than one or more than five years, or by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $5,000, or both.21

While the Motor Vehicle Code declares that the third, and each subsequent ouil offense within a [65]*65ten-year period, is a felony, the code does not specifically provide for escalation of the maximum punishment for fourth and subsequent ouil convictions.22 Because the Motor Vehicle Code contains its own punishment escalation scheme, including the elevation to felony status of third and subsequent ouil oifenses, and because the code specifies a punishment for felony convictions, it is argued by defendants in these appeals that the Legislature did not intend the habitual offender act to apply to ouil felony convictions.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
475 N.W.2d 231, 438 Mich. 55, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-bewersdorf-mich-1991.