People v. Roberson

169 N.W.2d 130, 17 Mich. App. 81, 1969 Mich. App. LEXIS 1154

• Court: Michigan Court of Appeals
• Decided: April 22, 1969
• Docket: Docket 5,012
• Status: Published

Opinion

Per Curiam.

Defendant, Clarence Roberson, appeared before Honorable Chester J. Byrns, a circuit judge of Berrien County, on September 5,1967. During these proceedings defense counsel was appointed for the defendant, at his request, but no plea was offered, accepted or entered. The crime was attempted larceny from a motor vehicle, in violation of CL 1948, § 750.356a (Stat Ann 1954 Rev § 28.588 [1]).

On September 18,1967, defendant was arraigned by the Honorable Karl F. Zick, also a circuit judge of Berrien county, and a plea of guilty was accepted. Sentence of 2 years and 4 months to 2-1/2 years was pronounced on November 27, 1967. Defendant appeals, claiming jurisdiction over the matter was with Judge Byrns and that Judge Zick did not. have jurisdiction and, therefore, the proceedings in his court were void. The relief asked herein is for a new trial and remand to Judge Byrns’ court for further proceedings. He alleges a procedural violation of GCR 1963,. 925.5 concerning assignment.

Défendant’s entire claim of procedural error- concerns the construction placed upon the following court rule: ,

GCR 1963, 925.5 — Assignment.

> “(1) Each civil action shall be assigned to one of the judges of the circuit at the time of its commence ment. Such assignment shall be made by lot and in such manner as to result, as nearly as possible, in each judge of the circuit receiving an equal number of actions from each of the following classifications: automobile negligence, domestic relations, and other general civil. Criminal actions may be assigned in the same manner as civil actions, or may be brought before the presiding judge for arraignment. If brought before the presiding judge and a plea of guilty is entered, the presiding judge shall retain the action; and if a plea of not guilty is entered, the presiding judge shall forthwith assign the action by lot to one of the judges of the circuit.” (Emphasis supplied. )

GrCR 1963, 925.5 provides that in civil cases they “shall be assigned”; however, for criminal cases it provides that they “may be assigned”. Thus in criminal cases the court rule is not mandatory but directory.

In criminal practice the arraignment of a prisoner consists of calling upon him by name, reading the indictment or information, demanding of him whether he be guilty or not guilty, and entering his plea. When a valid plea of guilty is made and entered before a judge, then that judge is to preside and he has the proper jurisdiction, unless for some reason he becomes disqualified. Judge Byrns merely appointed counsel for the defendant at his request which was preliminary and could be termed as ministerial; by so doing, Judge Byrns did not gain exclusive jurisdiction of the case.

The defendant did not object to the jurisdiction of Judge Zick at the time of his arraignment and sentence. He cannot complain of the length of sentence given to him, for it is within the statutory limits.

The defendant does not assert that he is not guilty of the crime nor does he claim any miscarriage of justice or that he has been denied any basic consti tutional rights. People v. Piotrowski (1966), 4 Mich App 510.

Defendant does not show that Judge Zick was not legally assigned to hear his case under the court rule. We assume on review that the court rule was followed in the absence of a showing to the contrary on the record. We find no error in the procedure followed in this case.

Affirmed.