State v. Burk

483 P.2d 940, 82 N.M. 466
CourtNew Mexico Court of Appeals
DecidedFebruary 19, 1971
Docket563
StatusPublished
Cited by44 cases

This text of 483 P.2d 940 (State v. Burk) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New Mexico Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Burk, 483 P.2d 940, 82 N.M. 466 (N.M. Ct. App. 1971).

Opinion

OPINION

WOOD, Judge.

Defendant appeals his conviction of two armed robberies. Section 40A-16-2, N.M. S.A. 1953 (Repl.Vol. 6). The issues concern: (1) absence of a preliminary hearing; .(2) asserted lack of a valid waiver in connection with his incriminating statement; (3) asserted inadequacy of the trial court’s- determination as to admissibility of the statement; and (4) a “shotgun” instruction. '

Absence of preliminary hearing.

Under N.M. Const. Art. II, § 14, a defendant may be proceeded against either by a grand jury indictment or by a criminal information. State v. Mosley, 75 N.M. 348, 404 P.2d 304 (1965); State v. Mosley, 79 N.M. 514, 445 P.2d 391 (Ct.App.1968). If charged by criminal information, a defendant 'has a right to a preliminary examination. No such right exists if the defendant is indicted by a grand jury. State v. Mosley, 75 N.M. 348, 404 P.2d 304, supra.

Defendant was indicted by a grand jury. Having been so indicted, he recognizes that he, did not have a right to a preliminary examination. His complaint is directed to the maneuvering prior to the grand jury indictment.

Defendant, taken before a magistrate on a Thursday, requested a preliminary examination the next day. The magistrate, however, set the preliminary' hearing for the following Monday. On Monday, over defendant’s objection,- the prosecutor ob^ tained a continuance until Wednesday. On Wednesday,'the prosecutor obtained the indictment before the preliminary 'hearing was held. The prosecutor admitted thát, from the outset, he intended to obtain an indictment before a preliminary hearing was held.

Defendant contends “ * *' * -he was denied due process of law because the prosecution was overzealous in its prosecutorial activities * * * ” The prosecutor testified as to his preference for grand jury indictments because the preliminary hearing “ * * * is a cumbersome tini'e consuming, expensive procedure the defense counsel uses as a means and a vehicle for discovery, which I consider imprope'r. * * *” Defendant asserts the prosecutor’s view is inconsistent with his obligation to be a “seeker of the truth,” that the prosecutor places himself in the role of an adversary to defendant and desires to keep the defendant from learning the .nature of the prosecution’s case.

The issue is whether the prosecutor, by overzealousness, deprived defendant of due process. While the prosecutor was zealous to obtain a grand jury indictment, the record does not show that he exceeded the “bounds of propriety,” as alleged by defendant. The choice to proceed by information or indictment is that of the State. Compare State v. Mosley, 79 N.M. 514, 445 P.2d 391, supra; Flores v. State, 79 N.M. 420, 444 P.2d 605 (Ct.App.1968). The choice is not the defendant’s. The record shows that defendant was attempting to deprive the prosecutor of" that choice; that defendant was attempting to force the prosecutor to a preliminary heáring against the prosecutor’s wishes. The fact that the prosecutor may have maneuvered zealously to preserve the choice, which was his to exercise, does not show that he exceeded the bounds of' propriety.

Defendant also contends “* * * he "was denied a fair trial because his counsel was denied the opportunity to prepare an adequate defense.” One answer to this claim is: “[t]he object of a bill of particulars in criminal cases is to enable the defendant to properly prepare his defense, * * * ” State v. Mosley, 75 N.M. 348, 404 P.2d 306, supra. Defendant obtained a bill of particulars. He does not claim that the information, supplied as a result of the hearing on the motion for a bill of particulars, was insufficient to prepare an adequate defense. The essence of this contention is that because there was a grand jury indictment, defendant was deprived of the discovery he could have obtained at a preliminary hearing. Discovery, however, is not the object of a preliminary hearing. State v. Archuleta, (Ct.App.), 482 P.2d 242, decided December 31, 1970.

The fact that the prosecutor was not overzealous, and that defendant was not deprived of an opportunity to prepare his defense, answers this point. An additional answer to the question of due process and fair trial is given in Williams v. Sanders, 80 N.M. 619, 459 P.2d 145 (1969). It states:

“In those cases in New Mexico where complaint and information are utilized in lieu of indictment, the preliminary hearing has been held to be a critical stage of the criminal process for purposes of applying the right-to-counsel provision of the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution. (Citations omitted). It was so held because it was believed the accused needed the assistance of an attorney in cross-examining state’s witnesses whose recorded testimony could, under certain circumstances, be received in evidence at trial. (Citation omitted). We do not read this case to mean, however, that a preliminary hearing is an essential prerequisite to a guilt-determining process which comports with fundamental fairness and due process, and respondent has not directed us to any authority so holding. * * * ”

Waiver in connection with incriminating statement.

The testimony shows defendant was advised of his constitutional rights three times — while walking to the patrol car after his arrest, at the booking desk at the police station and immediately prior to defendant giving his incriminating statement the following day. Each time the advice included advice concerning defendant’s right to a lawyer. At the hearing on the motion to suppress defendant’s statement, defendant testified he was told he was entitled to talk to a lawyer before answering any questions, to have a lawyer present during questioning and that if he didn’t have enough money to hire a lawyer that an attorney would be appointed for him.

Before giving the incriminating statement, defendant signed a waiver form which included the phrase: “ ‘ * * * If you want a lawyer but do not have the money to hire one, one will be provided for you by the judge. * * * ’ ” Defendant made his statement, and it was being read to him when his attorney came into the room and interrupted the reading. The portion of his statement admitted into evidence was never read back to defendant, nor did he sign the statement.

Defendant claims he did not knowingly and intelligently waive his right to consult with counsel and further, that the State failed in its burden of showing a knowing and intelligent waiver.

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Bluebook (online)
483 P.2d 940, 82 N.M. 466, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-burk-nmctapp-1971.