People v. Lang

162 N.W.2d 143, 381 Mich. 393, 1968 Mich. LEXIS 121
CourtMichigan Supreme Court
DecidedNovember 11, 1968
DocketCalendar 8, Docket 51,795-1/2
StatusPublished
Cited by10 cases

This text of 162 N.W.2d 143 (People v. Lang) 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. Lang, 162 N.W.2d 143, 381 Mich. 393, 1968 Mich. LEXIS 121 (Mich. 1968).

Opinion

Kelly, J.

On February 14, 1966, defendant, represented by his court-appointed counsel, was arraigned in the Clinton county circuit court on a charge of felonious assault.

The reading of the information was waived and defendant’s attorney informed the court of defendant’s intention to stand mute. A plea of not guilty was entered.

February 23, 1966, in the Clinton county circuit court, defendant, through his attorney, informed the court of his desire to change his plea of not guilty to a plea of guilty.

There follows the questions the court asked and the answers defendant gave previous to the court’s acceptance of such plea:

“The Court: * * * Do you have any questions concerning the charge that has been made against you, Mr. Lang?
“Mr. Lang: No, sir.
“The Court: You fully understand the nature of the charge and what it means.
“Mr. Lang: Yes, sir.
“The Court: You understand that you have been charged with the crime of felonious assault, but without intending to commit the crime of murder and without intending to inflict great bodily harm.
“Mr. Lang: Yes, sir.
“The Court: I don’t recall if I have already gone through this with you, but we will go through it again. First of all I might say, you understand that *395 you. don’t have to say anything at this time if you don’t want to.
“Mr. Lang: Yes, sir.
“The Court: Now there are three possible pleas that you may enter. You may plead guilty if you think you did that which is set forth in the information, charging you with this crime.
“If you think that you did not do it, then you would plead not guilty or you may stand mute, that is say nothing, and in which case the court would cause a plea of not guilty to be entered for you. I believe you have already at one hearing stood mute, is that correct?
“Mr. Lang: Yes.
“The Court: And I entered a plea of not guilty. Now I understand that today you wish to change your plea. Is that correct?
“Mr. Lang: Yes, sir.
“The Court: Now you know that if you plead not guilty or stand mute you would be entitled to a trial by either a jury or by this court, at your election? If you plead guilty, and your plea is accepted by the court, it would be the court’s duty to sentence you at a later date. I will also tell you that the maximum consequence of a plea of guilty or a conviction after trial, would be imprisonment for a term of up to four years. The minimum penalty is discretionary with the court, and the offense charged is subject to the probation law. That does not mean that you would necessarily be placed on probation, but merely that the court could place you on probation if it deemed it advisable.
“How do you wish to plead?
“Mr. Lang: Guilty, Your Honor.
“The Court: Do you plead guilty because you are guilty?
“Mr. Lang: Yes, sir.
“The Court: To what offense are you pleading-guilty?
“Mr. Lang: Felonious assault, sir. # * #
*396 “The Court: You know, Mr. Lang, I can’t accept your plea unless you actually committed the crime of felonious assault. Now I don’t want you pleading guilty to something you don’t think you are guilty of. I wasn’t there.
“Mr. Lang: Well if he said I did, I must have sir, but I was pretty drunk, so I —
“The Court: You mean there is no doubt in your mind that you threatened him with a pistol, is that right ?
“Mr. Lang: No, no, I don’t.
“The Court: You don’t have any doubt of that?
“Mr. Lang: No, sir, I don’t. * * *
“The Cotirt: And you are pleading guilty because you feel you are guilty; you’re not just pleading guilty to get this over with. It that correct?
“Mr. Lang: No, sir, I feel that I am guilty.
“The Court: All right. Has anyone forced you to plead guilty?
“Mr. Lang: No, sir.
“The Court: Has anyone forced you to tell the court what you have told here today?
“Mr. Lang: No, sir.
“The Court: Has anyone mistreated you while you have been in jail?
“Mr. Lang: No, sir.
“The Court: Has anyone promised you anything to persuade you to plead guilty?
“Mr. Lang: No, sir.
“The Court: Has anyone promised you the court would give you a light or easy sentence if you pleaded guilty?
“Mr. Lang: No, sir.
“The Court: Has anyone promised you that you would be placed on probation if you pleaded guilty?
“Mr. Lang: No, sir.
“The Court: Now you understand you may still have a trial, either by a jury or by the court, if you want to?
“Mr. Lang: Yes, sir.
*397 “The Court: Do you want to?
“Mr. Lang: No, sir.
“The Court: Is everything you have told the
court today concerning this case told of your own free will and accord?
“Mr. Lang: Yes, sir.
“The Court: The court now determines that the plea of guilty to the charge as offered is made freely, with understanding, and voluntarily. The court also finds that said plea was not offered because of undue influence, compulsion or duress, and no promise of leniency was made.

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Related

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People v. Andrews
193 N.W.2d 897 (Michigan Court of Appeals, 1971)
People v. Lewis
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People v. Watson
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People v. Norris
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Ex Parte Groom
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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
162 N.W.2d 143, 381 Mich. 393, 1968 Mich. LEXIS 121, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-lang-mich-1968.