People v. Salgat

Beasley, J.

On March 6, 1984, defendant, Eugene Sam Salgat, pled guilty to a charge of unarmed robbery, in violation of MCL 750.530; MSA 28.798. Pursuant to a plea agreement, the prosecutor agreed to the dismissal of a charge of armed robbery. On July 2, 1984, the trial court ordered a delay in the imposition of sentence for a period of one year, pursuant to MCL 771.1(2); MSA 28.1131(2). Defendant was ordered to comply with certain conditions and restrictions in conjunction with the delay of sentence, including, inter alia: (1) defendant was ordered to abstain from all alcohol consumption;¹ (2) defendant was ordered to report to a probation officer monthly; and (3) defendant was ordered to refrain from violating any criminal laws. On April 28, 1985, defendant was arrested on a charge of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, but apparently that charge was subsequently dismissed. On May 20, 1985, defendant appeared before the trial court for imposition of sentence on the robbery charge. In view of alleged violations of the conditions of the delayed sentence, the trial court decided to hold a hearing on whether defendant had been drinking and driving. On May 23, 1985, the hearing took place. The trial court found that there was evidence supporting the allegation that defendant had consumed alcohol during the delay’s interim and, further, that there was evidence supporting the allegation that defendant had engaged in drunk driving. The trial court then sentenced defendant to serve not less than IVz years nor more than 15 years in prison. Leave to file a delayed appeal was granted by this Court to defendant on September 28, 1987.

Defendant first contends that, following the May 23 "Probation Violation Hearing,”² the trial court improperly considered defendant’s drunk driving arrest in imposing sentence and, effectively, made an independent finding of guilt on that charge.

The purpose of a delayed sentence is to give the defendant an opportunity to demonstrate that he can fairly be placed on probation rather than be sentenced to prison.³ The trial court may impose conditions and restrictions with which the defendant must comply during the period of the delay, so long as the restrictions are reasonably designed to help the court determine whether probation will ultimately be appropriate.⁴ The imposition of such conditions or restrictions should not be confused with a sentence of probation, even though they are similar to those associated with probation.⁵ Thus, a delayed sentence means that no sentence is initially imposed, and the charge against the defendant remains pending.⁶

The sentence ultimately imposed should be based upon all of the circumstances of the defendant’s background. Among the factors to be considered in sentencing is the defendant’s failure to comply with the conditions and restrictions imposed in conjunction with the sentence delay.⁷ The defendant, generally, has no right to a formal hearing on the issue whether he did, in fact, violate a condition of the delayed sentencing arrangement.⁸ Further, when it comes to sentencing, the trial court may consider other criminal activity for which no conviction resulted, including dismissed charges, provided that the defendant is given an opportunity for refutation and the information is accurate.⁹ Additionally, the court may consider the defendant’s admissions in sentencing.¹⁰

In the within case, the trial court held a separate hearing on whether defendant had operated a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol on April 28, 1985, or consumed alcohol during the interim of the sentencing delay. At the hearing, defendant admitted to having consumed brandy "on a couple of occasions” and to having consumed approximately twenty ounces of wine on April 28 —this after previously denying under oath any alcohol consumption. Further, there was evidence that defendant had, on April 28, a 0.19 percent blood-alcohol level, and that defendant had failed field sobriety tests at the scene of his drunk driving arrest. In light of these revelations, the trial court was justified in finding that defendant had violated the conditions of the delayed sentencing arrangement. These violations were proper sentencing considerations.

Defendant also contends that the presentence report’s reference to his arrest for drunk driving was improperly used in sentencing and denied him of his due process right to a fair trial. We find this contention to be without merit. As discussed above, the trial court may consider other criminal activity for which no conviction resulted where that information appears accurate, and defendant was given an opportunity for refutation.¹¹

Defendant next contends that a sentence of 7 Vi to 15 years is so excessive as to shock the judicial conscience. We disagree. A trial court has wide discretion in imposing sentence.¹² However, People v Coles¹³ requires that the trial court, at the time of sentencing, articulate on the record its reasons for imposing the sentence given. Further, the trial court may deviate from the guideline recommendations where it states reasons for the departure.¹⁴ When a trial court exercises its sentencing discretion, the standard of review is whether the sentence imposed shocks the judicial conscience.¹⁵

In the within case, the trial court articulated and placed on the sentencing information report the following reasons for the sentence imposed:¹⁶ (1) defendant’s potential for reformation was low, the sentencing delay gave him a chance to turn his life around, but he botched the opportunity; (2) the need to deter others from committing robberies; and (3) the protection of society. Reformation, deterrence and the protection of society are all proper sentencing considerations.¹⁷ In light of these considerations, we believe the sentence imposed was justified. This sentence does not shock our conscience.

Defendant’s final claim is that he was denied effective assistance of counsel, in violation of the United States and Michigan Constitutions. Specifically, defendant points to defense counsel’s failure to object to (a) the trial court’s "vindictive tone” during the hearing on whether defendant had violated the conditions of the delayed sentencing arrangement, (b) defendant’s being "sentenced” for substance abuse rather than for unarmed robbery, (c) the trial court’s consideration of the drunk driving charge at sentencing, and (d) the severity of the sentence imposed.

The test, under both the Michigan and United States Constitutions, is whether: (1) counsel made errors so serious and outside the realm of sound trial strategy that counsel was not truly functioning as "counsel” under the Sixth Amendment; and (2) counsel’s performance prejudiced the defendant.¹⁸ There is a strong presumption of effective assistance of counsel.¹⁹

Our review of the transcript below reveals no vindictive tone on the part of the trial court which would warrant reversal, nor any sentence for substance abuse. Thus, we do not find any basis for defendant’s claim that his counsel should have made these objections in the trial court. Nor do we find error in the failure of defense counsel to object to the use of the drunk driving incident at sentencing or to the severity of the sentence imposed in the trial court hearing. Defendant has not established that he did not receive effective assistance of counsel.

Affirmed.

Danhof, C.J., concurred.

1 While this restriction was amply articulated by the trial court at the proceedings on July 2, and defendant, there, affirmatively expressed his comprehension of it, it was not included in the written order of delay of sentence. Whether a restriction not included in the written order on activities not otherwise unlawful binds a defendant so as to render its violation, standing alone, a valid sentencing enhancement consideration, is an issue we need not discuss today since, as discussed infra, defendant was also found to have violated one of the restrictions expressly stated in the order.

2 The transcript of the hearing is entitled "Probation Violation Hearing,” however, as discussed infra, this is a misnomer — defendant had not been placed on probation.

3 People v Cannon, 145 Mich App 100, 103; 377 NW2d 354 (1985).

4 People v Clyne, 36 Mich App 152, 154-155; 193 NW2d 399 (1971).

5 People v Leonard, 144 Mich App 492, 495; 375 NW2d 745 (1985); People v Hacker, 127 Mich App 796, 799; 339 NW2d 645 (1983).

6 Hacker, supra, p 799.

7 People v Saylor, 88 Mich App 270, 275; 276 NW2d 885 (1979).

8 People v Coleman, 130 Mich App 639, 642; 344 NW2d 30 (1983); Saylor, supra, p 274.

9 People v Wiggins, 151 Mich App 622, 625; 390 NW2d 740 (1986); People v Good, 141 Mich App 351, 355; 367 NW2d 863 (1985).

10 People v Butts, 144 Mich App 637, 641; 376 NW2d 176 (1985), lv den 424 Mich 860 (1985).

11 See Wiggins, supra, p 625; Good, supra, p 355.

12 People v Collier, 105 Mich App 46, 52; 306 NW2d 387 (1981), lv den 414 Mich 955 (1982).

13 417 Mich 523, 549-550; 339 NW2d 440 (1983).

14 People v Howell, 168 Mich App 227, 235; 423 NW2d 629 (1988).

15 Id., pp 235-236.

16 People v Krauss, 156 Mich App 514, 518; 402 NW2d 49 (1986) (such an articulation is procedurally sufficient regarding guideline departure).

17 People v Snow, 386 Mich 586, 592; 194 NW2d 314 (1972).

18 People v Dalessandro, 165 Mich App 569, 573-575; 419 NW2d 609 (1988), lv den 430 Mich 880 (1988).

19 People v Tullie, 141 Mich App 156, 158; 366 NW2d 224 (1985).