People v. Bonilla-Machado

803 N.W.2d 217, 489 Mich. 412, 2011 Mich. LEXIS 1390
CourtMichigan Supreme Court
DecidedJuly 26, 2011
DocketDocket 140510
StatusPublished
Cited by152 cases

This text of 803 N.W.2d 217 (People v. Bonilla-Machado) 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. Bonilla-Machado, 803 N.W.2d 217, 489 Mich. 412, 2011 Mich. LEXIS 1390 (Mich. 2011).

Opinions

Hathaway, J.

This case presents three issues for review. First, we review whether defendant was coerced by the trial court and defense trial counsel into forgoing his right to testify. Second, we review whether an offense that is statutorily designated as a “crime against public safety” may also be considered a “crime against a person” to establish a continuing pattern of criminal behavior for purposes of scoring offense variable (OV) 13, MCL 777.43. Finally, we review whether defendant is entitled to resentencing as a matter of law in light of the trial court’s erroneous statement that it was statutorily bound to enhance defendant’s maximum sentences.

We first conclude that neither the trial court nor defense trial counsel coerced defendant into forgoing his right to testify. Instead, the record shows that defense counsel advised defendant of the risks of testifying and that, ultimately, defendant himself made the decision not to testify. The trial court merely confirmed defendant’s decision. Accordingly, there was no error on this issue, and defendant is not entitled to a new trial.

Next, we hold that the Court of Appeals erroneously concluded that even though assault of a prison employee1 is statutorily designated as a crime against public safety, MCL 777.16j, it can also be considered a [416]*416crime against a person for purposes of scoring OV 13 because a prison employee is a “person.” We hold that the six named offense category designations used in MCL 777.5 and 777.11 through 777.19 apply to the scoring of offense variables and, therefore, a felony designated as a “crime against public safety” may not be used to establish a “pattern of felonious criminal activity involving 3 or more crimes against a person,” MCL 777.43(1)(c), for purposes of scoring OV 13. Because this changes defendant’s sentencing guidelines range, we agree with defendant that this matter must be remanded for resentencing. See People v Francisco, 474 Mich 82, 88-89; 711 NW2d 44 (2006).

Finally, we hold that the trial court erred when it stated that it was bound by law to enhance defendant’s maximum sentences. Application of the enhanced maximum sentence is discretionary, not mandatory. People v Turski, 436 Mich 878 (1990). The Court of Appeals acknowledged the error and remanded to allow the tried court to clarify whether the trial court knew it had discretion to enhance the maximum sentences or to redetermine the maximum sentences after using its discretion. Because the trial court, on remand, has already resentenced defendant in accordance with the Court of Appeals’ remand order, this issue is now moot.

Accordingly, we reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals in part and remand this matter to the trial court for resentencing. On remand, we instruct the trial court to assess zero points for OV 13. We affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeals in all other respects.

I. PACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

This case arises from events that occurred in November 2007 while defendant was incarcerated in the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia. Defendant [417]*417was serving prison terms for unarmed robbery and attempted carjacking. While in his cell, defendant assaulted two corrections officers by overflowing his toilet and then splashing the toilet water on the corrections officers as they made their respective rounds approximately 30 minutes apart.

Defendant was charged with two counts of assaulting a prison employee and was found guilty by a jury on both counts. Defendant did not testify at his trial. MCL 750.197c(1) sets the maximum sentence of imprisonment for assaulting a prison employee at five years, and MCL 769.10(1) (a) allows a trial court to enhance the maximum sentence imposed for a subsequent felony conviction by not more than IV2 times the statutory maximum. The trial court indicated that it was bound by statute to enhance the sentences and sentenced defendant as a second-offense habitual offender to concurrent terms of 30 to 90 months (2V2 to 7V2 years) of imprisonment for each conviction. Defendant objected to the enhanced maximum sentences.

Defendant also objected to the minimum sentence range, specifically the scoring of OV 13. OV 13 addresses patterns of felonious conduct within a five-year period, including the sentencing offense.2 The trial court assessed 10 points for OV 13, which are the total points prescribed for an offense that “was part of a pattern of felonious criminal activity involving a combination of 3 or more crimes against a person or property .. . .”3

In his appeal of right, defendant argued that the trial court and defense counsel had coerced him into forgoing his right to testify, that the trial court had erroneously [418]*418scored OV 13, and that the trial court had erred by failing to exercise its discretion when setting his maximum sentences. In an unpublished opinion per curiam, the Court of Appeals affirmed defendant’s convictions but remanded for resentencing.4 The Court of Appeals concluded that defendant made his decision not to testify after he had been properly reminded of the hazards of doing so.5 Additionally, the Court of Appeals concluded that the trial court had erred by assessing 10 points for OV 13 and sua sponte directed the assessment of 25 points for this variable instead.6 Finally, the Court of Appeals remanded the matter to the trial court to either clarify that it knew it had discretion in imposing the enhanced maximum sentences or to redetermine the maximum sentences after using its discretion.7

Defendant sought leave to appeal in this Court, and this Court heard oral argument on defendant’s application.8

[419]*419II. STANDARD OF REVIEW

This Court reviews unpreserved claims of constitutional error under the plain-error standard.9 The interpretation and application of the legislative sentencing guidelines, MCL 777.1 et seq., involve legal questions that this Court reviews de novo.10

III. ANALYSIS

A. DEFENDANT’S RIGHT TO TESTIFY

Defendant first argues that his right to testify was violated because he was coerced by the trial court and defense trial counsel into giving up his stated desire to testify. We disagree. A defendant’s right to testify in his own defense arises from the Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution.11 Although counsel must advise a defendant of this right, the ultimate decision whether to testify at trial remains with the defendant.12

At his jury trial, the following exchange took place regarding defendant’s decision whether to testify:

The Court: [D]oes your client want to testify?
[Defense Counsel]: That’s what I’m trying to find out right now, your Honor.
The Court: ... He should have made his decision before now.
[Defense Counsel]: He’s going to testify, your Honor.
[420]*420The Court:

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Bluebook (online)
803 N.W.2d 217, 489 Mich. 412, 2011 Mich. LEXIS 1390, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-bonilla-machado-mich-2011.