Preview:

No. 13883 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA 1977

THE STATE OF MONTANA, Plaintiff and Respondent, -vsJOHNNY MALDONADO, Defendant and Appellant.

Appeal from:

District Court of the Thirteenth Judicial, District, Honorable Robert Wilson, Judge presiding.

Counsel of Record: For Appellant: Johnny Maldonado, Pro Se, Deer Lodge, Montana For Respondent: Hon. Mike Greely, Attorney General, Helena, Montana Harold F. Hanser, County Attorney, Billings, Montana Submitted on briefs

Submitted: November 15, 1977 Decided: Filed:
-

R i 2 1978 R

1 -2

,978

M r . J u s t i c e John Conway H a r r i s o n d e l i v e r e d t h e Opinion of t h e Court.

~ e f e n d a n t ,~ o h n n yJ o e Maldonado, a p p e a l s from a n o r d e r o f t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t , Yellowstone County, d e n y i n g h i s p e t i t i o n f o r post-conviction r e l i e f . On September 11, 1970, d e f e n d a n t e n t e r e d a g u i l t y p l e a t o a c h a r g e of second d e g r e e a s s a u l t , a f e l o n y under s e c t i o n s 94-602(5) and 94-114,
R.C.M.

1947.

The d i s t r i c t judge

d e f e r r e d i m p o s i t i o n of s e n t e n c e f o r a p e r i o d of t h r e e y e a r s . On August 25, 1971, t h e S t a t e f i l e d a p e t i t i o n t o r e v o k e d e f e n d a n t ' s d e f e r r e d i m p o s i t i o n of s e n t e n c e , a l l e g i n g t h a t d u r i n g t h e p e r i o d of h i s p r o b a t i o n , d e f e n d a n t had been c h a r g e d w i t h t h e c r i m e of r e c e i v i n g s t o l e n p r o p e r t y , had l e f t t h e s t a t e and absconded from s u p e r v i s i o n , and had f a i l e d t o r e p o r t t o h i s p r o b a t i o n o f f i c e r as r e q u i r e d .
A t t h e September 22,

1971, h e a r i n g on t h e p e t i t i o n t o

r e v o k e , d e f e n d a n t a d m i t t e d t h e second and t h i r d a l l e g a t i o n s i n t h e p e t i t i o n , b u t d e n i e d h e had been c h a r g e d w i t h r e c e i v i n g s t o l e n property. The D i s t r i c t C o u r t o r d e r e d t h a t t h e t e r m s

of t h e d e f e r r e d i m p o s i t i o n o f s e n t e n c e remain i n e f f e c t , e x c e p t t h a t d e f e n d a n t was r e q u i r e d t o s e r v e s i x months i n t h e c o u n t y j a i l o n a w o r k - r e l e a s e program. The c o u r t o r d e r

was m o d i f i e d on November 29, 1971, t o p r o v i d e t h a t d e f e n d a n t s e r v e o n l y weekends i n j a i l . On December 8 , 1972, t h e S t a t e f i l e d a second p e t i t i o n t o r e v o k e d e f e n d a n t ' s d e f e r r e d i m p o s i t i o n of s e n t e n c e , a l l e g i n g d e f e n d a n t committed t h e o f f e n s e s of b u r g l a r y and c r i m i n a l p o s s e s s i o n of d a n g e r o u s d r u g s on October 2 5 , 1972.
A t t h e r e v o c a t i o n h e a r i n g h e l d on J a n u a r y 25, 1973, t h e

S t a t e p r e s e n t e d e v i d e n c e t h a t when p o l i c e responded t o a b u r g l a r y a l a r m a t a l o c a l hardware s t o r e a t a b o u t 2:00 a.m., October 25, 1972, d e f e n d a n t w a s found i n s i d e t h e s t o r e w i t h

a n o t h e r i n d i v i d u a l , n e a r a gun c a s e which was broken and s e v e r a l guns removed. Upon r e c e i v i n g t h i s e v i d e n c e a t t h e

J a n u a r y 25, 1973, r e v o c a t i o n h e a r i n g , t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t revoked t h e o r i g i n a l l y d e f e r r e d i m p o s i t i o n of s e n t e n c e on t h e second d e g r e e a s s a u l t c o n v i c t i o n , and s e n t e n c e d defenda n t t o f i v e y e a r s and n i n e months i n t h e Montana s t a t e prison. On J u l y 25, 1975, a f t e r s e r v i n g a p p r o x i m a t e l y one-half of h i s s e n t e n c e on t h e second d e g r e e a s s a u l t c h a r g e , d e f e n d a n t was p a r o l e d . While s t i l l on p a r o l e , on A p r i l 4 , 1976, a

B i l l i n g s p o l i c e o f f i c e r a r r e s t e d d e f e n d a n t i n a l o c a l b a r on a c h a r g e o f c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon. The D i s t r i c t C o u r t

g r a n t e d t h e Yellowstone County a t t o r n e y l e a v e t o f i l e a n Information, charging defendant with carrying a concealed weapon w i t h i n t h e c i t y l i m i t s of B i l l i n g s , Montana, i n v i o l a t i o n of s e c t i o n 94-8-210,
R.C.M.

1947.

The c o u n t y

a t t o r n e y f i l e d a n o t i c e t o i n c r e a s e punishment p u r s u a n t t o s e c t i o n 95-1506,
R.C.M.

1947, a l l e g i n g d e f e n d a n t was a p r i o r
R.C.M.

c o n v i c t e d f e l o n under s e c t i o n 95-1507,

1947, due t o

h i s p r e v i o u s c o n v i c t i o n f o r second d e g r e e a s s a u l t . I n h i s a f f i d a v i t i n s u p p o r t of t h e I n f o r m a t i o n c h a r g i n g d e f e n d a n t w i t h c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon, t h e d e p u t y c o u n t y a t t o r n e y a l l e g e d t h a t a t a p p r o x i m a t e l y 12:30 a.m., A p r i l 4 , 1976, O f f i c e r H a t f i e l d o f t h e B i l l i n g s P o l i c e Department was f l a g g e d down by a n anonymous p e r s o n and informed t h a t d e f e n d a n t was i n s i d e t h e Empire Bar i n B i l l i n g s , c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon. A f f i a n t s t a t e d O f f i c e r H a t f i e l d and O f f i c e r Trimbo e n t e r e d t h e b a r and o b s e r v e d d e f e n d a n t ; upon s e a r c h i n g d e f e n d a n t t h e o f f i c e r s d i s c o v e r e d and s e i z e d a .38 c a l i b e r Smith
&

Wesson p i s t o l w i t h a two i n c h b a r r e l ,

which d e f e n d a n t was c a r r y i n g i n a s h o u l d e r h o l s t e r c o n c e a l e d by h i s brown l e a t h e r j a c k e t .

These f a c t s a l l e g e d i n t h e a f f i d a v i t w e r e l a r g e l y c o r r o b o r a t e d by d e f e n d a n t h i m s e l f a t h i s a r r a i g n m e n t on t h e c o n c e a l e d weapon c h a r g e . Defendant a d m i t t e d he was c a r r y i n g
&

a c o n c e a l e d and l o a d e d .38 c a l i b e r Smith

Wesson r e v o l v e r

i n a s h o u l d e r h o l s t e r w h i l e he was i n t h e Empire Bar. Defendant s t a t e d t h a t h e u n d e r s t o o d h e was s u b j e c t , a s a p e r s i s t e n t f e l o n y o f f e n d e r , t o i n c r e a s e d punishment up t o 100 y e a r s imprisonment. Defendant p l e a d e d g u i l t y and t h e

D i s t r i c t C o u r t s e n t e n c e d d e f e n d a n t t o s e r v e twenty y e a r s i n t h e s t a t e prison. On October 1 2 , 1976, d e f e n d a n t f i l e d a p e t i t i o n f o r p o s t - c o n v i c t i o n r e l i e f , p u r s u a n t t o s e c t i o n 95-2601, 1947, i n D i s t r i c t C o u r t , Yellowstone County.
R.C.M.

Defendant

r a i s e s t h e f o l l o w i n g i s s u e s on h i s a p p e a l from t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t ' s A p r i l 26, 1977, o r d e r denying p o s t - c o n v i c t i o n relief:

1.

Did s e c t i o n 95-1507,

R.C.M.

1947, t h e p e r s i s t e n t

f e l o n y o f f e n d e r s t a t u t e , as a p p l i e d t o d e f e n d a n t , v i o l a t e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l s a f e g u a r d s d e a l i n g w i t h e x p o s t f a c t o laws and e q u a l p r o t e c t i o n ? 2.

Is s e c t i o n 95-1507 u n c o n s t i t u t i o n a l under A r t i c l e

11, S e c t i o n 28, 1972 Montana C o n s t i t u t i o n ?

3.

Did t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t a b u s e i t s d i s c r e t i o n i n

r e v o k i n g d e f e n d a n t ' s d e f e r r e d i m p o s i t i o n of s e n t e n c e on t h e second d e g r e e a s s a u l t c o n v i c t i o n ?

4.

Did t h e c o u r t ' s m i s t a k e n b e l i e f i n s e n t e n c i n g t h a t

d e f e n d a n t had e n t e r e d h i s g u i l t y p l e a t o t h e second d e g r e e a s s a u l t c h a r g e on J a n u a r y 25, 1973 r a t h e r t h a n on September
11, 1970, c o n s t i t u t e r e v e r s i b l e e r r o r ?
5.

Was s e c t i o n 94-8-210,

R.C.M.

1947, as i n e f f e c t

when d e f e n d a n t committed t h e c r i m e of c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon, a n u n c o n s t i t u t i o n a l l y vague s t a t u t e ?

6.

Was d e f e n d a n t s u f f i c i e n t l y i n f o r m e d , p r i o r t o

e n t e r i n g h i s p l e a , of t h e p o s s i b l e s e n t e n c e s he c o u l d r e c e i v e a s a p e r s i s t e n t f e l o n y o f f e n d e r upon c o n v i c t i o n of c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon? 7. Did t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t a b u s e i t s d i s c r e t i o n i n

f i n d i n g t h a t d e f e n d a n t was n o t d e n i e d e f f e c t i v e a s s i s t a n c e of c o u n s e l ?
8.
W a s t h e twenty y e a r s e n t e n c e d e f e n d a n t r e c e i v e d s o

e x c e s s i v e and d i s p r o p o r t i o n a t e t o t h e o f f e n s e a s t o c o n s t i t u t e c r u e l and u n u s u a l punishment? On September 11, 1970, when d e f e n d a n t p l e a d g u i l t y t o second d e g r e e a s s a u l t , a f e l o n y , Montana's p e r s i s t e n t f e l o n y o f f e n d e r s t a t u t e , s e c t i o n 94-4713,
R.C.M.

1947, a l l o w e d a

d i s t r i c t judge t o s e n t e n c e a d e f e n d a n t t o a maximum s e n t e n c e o f t e n y e a r s imprisonment f o r a s u b s e q u e n t f e l o n y c o n v i c t i o n of c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon. S e c t i o n 94-4713, was r e p e a l e d

by t h e l e g i s l a t u r e i n 1973 and r e p l a c e d w i t h t h e p r e s e n t s e c t i o n 95-1507. Defendant committed t h e c a r r y i n g of a

c o n c e a l e d weapon o f f e n s e on A p r i l 4 , 1976, when s e c t i o n 951507, was i n e f f e c t . The D i s t r i c t C o u r t judge s e n t e n c e d

d e f e n d a n t t o twenty y e a r s i n t h e s t a t e p r i s o n a s a p e r s i s t e n t f e l o n y o f f e n d e r under s e c t i o n 95-1507. Under s e c t i o n 95-

1 5 0 7 ( 2 ) , t h e maximum p e n a l t y f o r c o n v i c t i o n of t h e f e l o n y of c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon, f o r o n e who h a s " p r e v i o u s l y been c o n v i c t e d of a f e l o n y " i s 100 y e a r s i n t h e s t a t e p r i s o n . Defendant a l l e g e s t h a t , b e c a u s e t h e f e l o n y second d e g r e e a s s a u l t c o n v i c t i o n o c c u r r e d p r i o r t o t h e enactment of s e c t i o n 95-1507, t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t ' s u s e of t h e a s s a u l t

c o n v i c t i o n t o i n c r e a s e punishment under s e c t i o n 95-1507 on t h e f e l o n y o f c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon c h a r g e c o n s t i t u t e d a n e x p o s t f a c t o law. Defendant c o n t e n d s h e c o u l d b e c o n s t i -

t u t i o n a l l y s e n t e n c e d o n l y under s e c t i o n 94-4713,

the persistent

f e l o n y o f f e n d e r s t a t u t e i n e f f e c t when h e committed t h e second d e g r e e a s s a u l t . Defendant m i s c o n s t r u e s t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l p r o h i b i t i o n s a g a i n s t e x p o s t f a c t o laws. Both t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s and

Montana C o n s t i t u t i o n s p r o h i b i t t h e Montana l e g i s l a t u r e from p a s s i n g e x p o s t f a c t o laws. A r t i c l e I , Section 10, United

S t a t e s . C o n s t i t u t i o n ; A r t i c l e 11, S e c t i o n 31, 1972 Montana Constitution. Ex p o s t f a c t o laws a r e p r o h i b i t e d on t h e

t h e o r y no one s h o u l d b e punished f o r c o n d u c t which t h e law d i d n o t g i v e him advance warning was c r i m i n a l . 95-1507, Section

was e n a c t e d i n 1973 p r i o r t o d e f e n d a n t ' s commission The law

of t h e c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon f e l o n y i n 1976.

d i d n o t p u n i s h d e f e n d a n t f o r p a s t c o n d u c t , b u t merely n o t i f i e d d e f e n d a n t h e was s u b j e c t t o i n c r e a s e d punishment, i f h e

i n t h e f u t u r e committed a n

a d d i t i o n a l f e l o n y crime.

In

r e j e c t i n g a claim s i m i l a r t o defendant's, Supreme C o u r t s t a t e d :

t h e United S t a t e s

"Nor do we t h i n k t h e f a c t t h a t o n e of the convictions t h a t entered i n t o the calculat i o n s by which p e t i t i o n e r became a f o u r t h o f f e n d e r o c c u r r e d b e f o r e t h e Act w a s p a s s e d , makes t h e Act i n v a l i d l y r e t r o a c t i v e * * * The s e n t e n c e a s a * * * h a b i t u a l c r i m i n a l i s n o t t o be viewed as e i t h e r a new jeopardy o r a d d i t i o n a l p e n a l t y f o r t h e e a r l i e r crimes. It i s a s t i f f e n e d penalty f o r t h e l a t e s t crime, which i s c o n s i d e r e d t o be a n a g g r a v a t e d o f Gryger v. f e n s e because a r e p e t i t i v e one." Burke, ( 1 9 4 8 ) , 334 U.S. 728, 732, 68 S.Ct. 1256, 92 L.ed. 1683.

.

See a l s o :

McDonald v.

Massachusetts,

( 1 9 0 1 ) , 180 U.S.

311,

Defendant c o n t e n d s s e c t i o n 95-1507 v i o l a t e s t h e e q u a l p r o t e c t i o n and due p r o c e s s c l a u s e s of t h e F o u r t e e n t h Amendment because only a minority of r e p e a t f e l o n y o f f e n d e r s a r e p r o s e c u t e d under t h e p e r s i s t e n t f e l o n y o f f e n d e r s t a t u t e .

Defendant a l l e g e s t h a t s e c t i o n 95-1507 i s i n g e n e r a l uncons t i t u t i o n a l l y s e l e c t i v e l y a p p l i e d , and w a s s e l e c t i v e l y a p p l i e d i n t h e i n s t a n t c a s e , due t o t h e c o u n t y a t t o r n e y ' s a n i m o s i t y toward d e f e n d a n t and d e f e n d a n t ' s c o u n s e l . Nothing

i n t h e r e c o r d s u p p o r t s d e f e n d a n t ' s a s s e r t i o n t h a t he w a s singled o u t f o r persistent felonyprosecutiondue t o the p r o s e c u t o r ' s f e e l i n g s of p e r s o n a l enmity. Nor d o e s a showing

of s e l e c t i v e e n f o r c e m e n t of a c r i m i n a l law, w i t h o u t more, constitute a constitutional violation.

"* * *

t h e conscious

e x e r c i s e of some s e l e c t i v i t y i n e n f o r c e m e n t i s n o t i n i t s e l f a f e d e r a l c o n s t i t u t i o n a l v i o l a t i o n " a b s e n t a n a l l e g a t i o n and showing t h a t

"* * *

t h e s e l e c t i o n w a s d e l i b e r a t e l y based

upon a n u n j u s t i f i a b l e s t a n d a r d s u c h a s r a c e , r e l i g i o n , o r other arbitrary classification

* * *"

such a s sex, o r t h e Oyler

e x e r c i s e o f t h e F i r s t Amendment r i g h t t o f r e e speech. v. B o l e s , 446, 453. ( 1 9 6 2 ) , 368 U.S. 448, 456, 82 S.Ct.

501, 7 L ed 2d

Defendant n e x t c l a i m s t h a t , b e c a u s e s e c t i o n 95-1507 subjects repeat felony offenders t o potentially s t i f f e r s e n t e n c e s t h a n f i r s t t i m e f e l o n y o f f e n d e r s , t h e law v i o l a t e s t h a t p o r t i o n of A r t i c l e 11, S e c t i o n 28, 1972 Montana C o n s t i t u t i o n , which p r o v i d e s t h a t " F u l l r i g h t s a r e r e s t o r e d by t e r m i n a t i o n of s t a t e s u p e r v i s i o n f o r any o f f e n s e a g a i n s t t h e s t a t e . " The s u c c e s s of d e f e n d a n t ' s argument n e c e s s a r i l y depends upon whether t h e r e f e r e n c e i n A r t i c l e 11, S e c t i o n 28, t o " f u l l r i g h t s " i n c l u d e s a " r i g h t " of a p r i o r f e l o n y o f f e n d e r t o n o t have h i s p r i o r o f f e n s e c o n s i d e r e d , when s e n t e n c i n g him on a subsequent felony. The t r a n s c r i p t of p r o c e e d i n g s of t h e Montana c o n s t i t u t i o n a l c o n v e n t i o n c l e a r l y i n d i c a t e s t h e Committee of t h e whole, i n recommending
t h e A r t i c l e 11, S e c t i o n 28 c l a u s e on r e s t o r a -

t i o n of f u l l p r i s o n e r ' s r i g h t s , w a s concerned t h a t no o b s t a c l e s

p r e v e n t t h e e x - c o n v i c t from becoming a c o n t r i b u t i n g and p a r t i c i p a t i n g member of t h e community. Speaking on b e h a l f

of t h e committee, o n e d e l e g a t e s t a t e d t h a t t h e e x - p r i s o n e r , no l o n g e r under s t a t e s u p e r v i s i o n , "

* * *

s h o u l d be e n t i t l e d

t o t h e r e s t o r a t i o n o f a l l c i v i l and p o l i t i c a l r i g h t s , i n c l u d i n g t h e r i g h t t o v o t e , h o l d o f f i c e , and e n t e r o c c u p a t i o n s which r e q u i r e s t a t e l i c e n s i n g . " Vol. 7 , Const. Convention T r a n s c r i p t 5550 (remarks of D e l e g a t e James).
A main c o n c e r n of t h e

d e l e g a t e s was t h a t e x - c o n v i c t s n o t a u t o m a t i c a l l y b e p r e c l u d e d from p r a c t i c i n g s t a t e - l i c e n s e d p r o f e s s i o n s . Convention T r a n s c r i p t 5624-26 and Campbell). See a l s o : Vol. 7, C o n s t .

(remarks of D e l e g a t e s Habedank (7th C i r . U.S.

M i l l e r v. Carter,

1 9 7 7 ) , 547 F.2d 1314, 1328-29, a f f ' d .

(1978),

,

98 S.Ct.

786, 54 L ed 2d 603.

The " f u l l r i g h t s " language of A r t i c l e 11, S e c t i o n 28 d o e s n o t i n c l u d e a " r i g h t " t o be s e n t e n c e d f o r a f e l o n y without regard t o p r i o r felony convictions. Having a p r i o r

felony conviction w i t h t h e p o t e n t i a l f o r i n c r e a s i n g punishment on a s u b s e q u e n t f e l o n y c o n v i c t i o n d o e s n o t hamper r e h a b i l i t a t i o n of t h e e x - c o n v i c t o r d i m i n i s h h i s c i v i l o r political rights. I f t h e e x - c o n v i c t obeys t h e l a w , a s a l l

c i t i z e n s a r e required t o do, f o r f i v e y e a r s subsequent t o h i s f e l o n y c o n v i c t i o n o r r e l e a s e from p r i s o n , t h e p r i o r f e l o n y may n o t be used t o i n c r e a s e punishment under s e c t i o n 95-1507 f o r a s u b s e q u e n t f e l o n y . Rather than involving

any c i v i l o r p o l i t i c a l " r i g h t " , i n c r e a s i n g t h e s e n t e n c e of a p e r s i s t e n t felony offender i s e n t i r e l y consistent with the c o n s t i t u t i o n a l mandate t h a t "Laws f o r t h e punishment of c r i m e s h a l l be founded on t h e p r i n c i p l e s of p r e v e n t i o n and reformation.* Constitution.

* *"

A r t i c l e 11, S e c t i o n 28, 1972 Montana

" * * * P e r s i s t e n c e i n c r i m e and f a i l u r e of earlier discipline effectively t o deter or r e f o r m j u s t i f y more d r a s t i c t r e a t m e n t . * * * For t h e d e t e r m i n a t i o n of s e n t e n c e s , j u s t i c e g e n e r a l l y r e q u i r e s c o n s i d e r a t i o n of more t h a n t h e p a r t i c u l a r a c t s by which t h e c r i m e was committed and t h a t t h e r e be t a k e n i n t o a c c o u n t t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s of t h e o f f e n s e t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e c h a r a c t e r and p r o p e n s i t i e s H i s p a s t may b e t a k e n t o of t h e o f f e n d e r . i n d i c a t e h i s p r e s e n t p u r p o s e s and t e n d e n c i e s and s i g n i f i c a n t l y t o s u g g e s t t h e p e r i o d of r e s t r a i n t and t h e k i n d of d i s c i p l i n e t h a t o u g h t t o be imposed upon him." Pennsylvania e x r e l . S u l l i v a n v . Ashe, ( 1 9 3 7 ) , 302 U.S. 51, 54-55, 58 S.Ct. 59, 82 L.ed. 43.
Defendant a l s o a s s e r t s t h a t no p r o p e r c a u s e was shown t o r e v o k e t h e d e f e r r e d i m p o s i t i o n on t h e second d e g r e e a s s a u l t c h a r g e , and t h e a s s a u l t c o n v i c t i o n c o u l d t h e r e f o r e n o t b e c o n s i d e r e d a s a p r i o r f e l o n y t o i n c r e a s e h i s punishment on t h e c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon c h a r g e . The f a c t s

adduced a t t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t h e a r i n g on t h e S t a t e ' s second p e t i t i o n t o r e v o k e t h e d e f e r r e d s e n t e n c e show t h a t on October 25, 1972, a t 2:00 a . m . , t h e p o l i c e apprehended

d e f e n d a n t and a n o t h e r i n d i v i d u a l i n s i d e a hardware s t o r e , where a gun c a s e was broken and s e v e r a l guns removed. The

D i s t r i c t C o u r t had ample c a u s e t o r e v o k e t h e d e f e r r e d imposit i o n of s e n t e n c e . Defendant i s n o t c o r r e c t i n h i s a s s e r t i o n t h a t t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t had no a u t h o r i t y a f t e r t h e f i r s t r e v o c a t i o n h e a r i n g t o impose a j a i l term a s a n a d d i t i o n a l c o n d i t i o n of h i s c o n t i n u e d d e f e r r e d i m p o s i t i o n of s e n t e n c e . c o n t e n d s t h i s C o u r t ' s h o l d i n g i n S t a t e v . Drew, Defendant ( 1 9 7 1 ) , 158

Mont. 2 1 4 , 490 P.2d 230, e s t a b l i s h e d t h a t a t e r m i n j a i l may n e v e r b e imposed a s a c o n d i t i o n of a d e f e r r e d s e n t e n c e . However, t h i s C o u r t i n D r e w merely s t a t e d t h a t a t r i a l judge may n o t a c t u a l l y impose a s e n t e n c e and d e f e r t h e i m p o s i t i o n of p a r t of t h a t s e n t e n c e . The d i s t r i c t judge may, however,

d e f e r i m p o s i t i o n of s e n t e n c e and make a j a i l t e r m a c o n d i t i o n of p r o b a t i o n .

"* * *

There i s a v a l i d d i s t i n c t i o n

under t h e law i n g r a n t i n g a d e f e r r e d i m p o s i t i o n upon c o n d i t i o n s , r a t h e r t h a n imposing a j a i l s e n t e n c e w i t h c o n d i t i o n s . " S t a t e e x r e l . Woodbury v . D i s t r i c t C o u r t , 1 2 8 , 136, 495 P.2d 1119. See a l s o : ( 1 9 7 4 ) , 1 6 5 Mont. 321, 528 P.2d 692. Defendant n e x t c o n t e n d s t h a t h i s p e r s i s t e n t f e l o n y o f f e n d e r s e n t e n c e i s i n v a l i d b e c a u s e t h e d i s t r i c t judge s e n t e n c e d him under t h e m i s a p p r e h e n s i o n t h a t d e f e n d a n t p l e a d g u i l t y on J a n u a r y 25, 1973, t o second d e g r e e a s s a u l t . Defendant d i d , however, on September 11, 1970, p l e a d g u i l t y t o second d e g r e e a s s a u l t . Although d e f e n d a n t emphasizes ( 1 9 7 2 ) , 159 Mont.

S t a t e v. Thorsness,

t h a t h e d i d n o t on J a n u a r y 25, 1973, p l e a d g u i l t y t o a b u r g l a r y c h a r g e , t h e f a c t t h a t he was found by p o l i c e a t 2:00 a.m. i n a hardware s t o r e where t h e b u r g l a r a l a r m had

sounded and guns had been removed from a broken d i s p l a y c a s e , w a s s u f f i c i e n t cause t o revoke d e f e n d a n t ' s d e f e r r e d s e n t e n c e o n t h e second d e g r e e a s s a u l t c o n v i c t i o n and was v a l i d l y used t o i n c r e a s e d e f e n d a n t ' s punishment f o r h i s subsequent felony conviction. Defendant a l s o asserts t h a t s e c t i o n 94-8-210 the

c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon s t a t u t e a s i n e f f e c t when h e committed t h e c r i m e , g a v e p r o s e c u t o r s d i s c r e t i o n t o c h a r g e t h e t r a n s a c t i o n a s a f e l o n y o r a misdemeanor, gave no j u d i c i a l g u i d e l i n e s as t o when t h e c h a r g e s s h o u l d be f e l o n y o r misdemeanor, and t h e r e f o r e , was u n c o n s t i t u t i o n a l l y vague. Defendants c i t e s O l s e n v . Delmore, 295 P.2d 324, 325, and S t a t e v . ( 1 9 5 6 ) , 48 ~ a s h . 2 d 545, ( 1 9 5 5 ) , 203 O r .

Pirkey,

697, 281 P.2d 698, where t h e Supreme C o u r t s of b o t h w a s h i n g t o n and Oregon d e c l a r e d u n c o n s t i t u t i o n a l s t a t u t e s which d i d n o t

d i s t i n g u i s h when i d e n t i c a l c o n d u c t s h o u l d be c h a r g e d by p r o s e c u t o r s as f e l o n i e s o r misdemeanors. I n 1976 when d e f e n d a n t was c h a r g e d a s a p e r s i s t e n t f e l o n y o f f e n d e r , s e c t i o n 94-8-210 provided t h a t a person

c o n v i c t e d of c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon "

* * *

s h a l l be

punished by a f i n e n o t e x c e e d i n g f i v e hundred d o l l a r s o r by imprisonment i n t h e c o u n t y j a i l f o r a p e r i o d n o t e x c e e d i n g s i x months, o r by b o t h s u c h f i n e and imprisonment, o r may b e punished by imprisonment i n t h e s t a t e p e n i t e n t i a r y f o r a period n o t exceeding f i v e years." Defendant c o n t e n d s t h a t

b e c a u s e t h e same o f f e n s e may be p u n i s h e d a s e i t h e r a f e l o n y o r a misdemeanor, t h e r u l e and r a t i o n a l e o f O l s e n , P i r k e y and s i m i l a r c a s e s r e q u i r e t h i s C o u r t t o r u l e t h a t s e c t i o n 94-8-210

is unconstitutional.

The d e f e n d a n t i n Olsen was c o n v i c t e d under a c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon s t a t u t e which c o n t a i n e d a p e n a l t y c l a u s e worded v e r y s i m i l a r l y t o t h e p e n a l t y c l a u s e of s e c t i o n 94-8210.

The c r i m e i n O l s e n was

"* * *

p u n i s h a b l e by a f i n e of

n o t more t h a n f i v e hundred d o l l a r s o r imprisonment i n t h e c o u n t y j a i l f o r n o t more t h a n one y e a r o r b o t h , - by or imprisonment i n t h e p e n i t e n t i a r y f o r n o t less t h a n o n e y e a r n o r more t h a n t e n y e a r s . " Olsen v . Delmore, 295 P.2d 325.

I n Washington, t h e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n of a c r i m e a s a f e l o n y o r a misdemeanor was d e p e n d e n t upon t h e p o t e n t i a l punishment, and n o t upon t h e punishment which t h e o f f e n d e r a c t u a l l y r e c e i v e d upon c o n v i c t i o n .
C r i m e s p u n i s h a b l e by d e a t h o r

imprisonment i n t h e s t a t e p e n i t e n t i a r y were f e l o n i e s ; c r i m e s p u n i s h a b l e by f i n e s of l e s s t h a n $250,
O r

by imprisonment i n

a c o u n t y j a i l f o r n o t more t h a n n i n e t y d a y s , were misdemeanors. The v i c e of t h e s t a t u t e i n O l s e n , and of a s i m i l a r s t a t u t e i n P i r k e y , was t h a t i t a u t h o r i z e d p r o s e c u t i n g o f f i c i a l s t o

c h a r g e i d e n t i c a l c o n d u c t by d i f f e r e n t p e r s o n s a s e i t h e r a f e l o n y o r a misdemeanor. This unbridled p r o s e c u t o r i a l

d i s c r e t i o n v i o l a t e s t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l g u a r a n t e e of e q u a l p r o t e c t i o n of t h e laws.

"* * *

the s t a t u t e i t s e l f furnishes

no c r i t e r i o n by which t o d e t e r m i n e when a n a c c u s e d i s t o be c h a r g e d w i t h f e l o n y , and when w i t h a misdemeanor (Emphasis added.) S t a t e v . P i r k e y , 281 P.2d 702. penalty clause i n e f f e c t

* * *."

Although t h e s e c t i o n 94-8-210

when d e f e n d a n t committed t h e crime was worded s i m i l a r l y t o t h e Washington s t a t u t e i n O l s e n , Montana's law d o e s n o t s u f f e r from t h e same c o n s t i t u t i o n a l i n f i r m i t y . I n Montana,

t h e d i s c r e t i o n t o c l a s s i f y an offense a s a felony o r a misdemeanor b e l o n g s t o t h e s e n t e n c i n g c o u r t and n o t t o t h e prosecuting o f f i c i a l . Except f o r t h e l i m i t e d j u r i s d i c t i o n a l

and s t a t u t e of l i m i t a t i o n p u r p o s e s of s e c t i o n 94-1-105,
R.C.M.

1947, t h e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n of an o f f e n s e a s a f e l o n y o r

a s a misdemeanor depends e n t i r e l y upon t h e a c t u a l s e n t e n c e imposed by t h e t r i a l c o u r t upon c o n v i c t i o n . S e c t i o n 94-2-101 ( 1 5 ) ( 3 1 ) , i n 1975, r e a d : " ( 1 5 ) ' F e l o n y ' means a n o f f e n s e i n which the s e n t e n c e imposed upon c o n v i c t i o n i s d e a t h o r imprisonment i n t h e s t a t e p r i s o n f o r any t e r m e x c e e d i n g o n e (1) y e a r . " (Emphasis added. ) " ( 3 1 ) 'Misdemeanor' means a n o f f e n s e i n which t h e s e n t e n c e imposed upon c o n v i c t i o n i s imprisonment i n t h e county j a i l f o r any t e r m , o r f i n e , o r b o t h , o r t h e s e n t e n c e imposed i s imprisonment i n t h e s t a t e p r i s o n f o r any term of o n e y e a r o r l e s s . " (Emphasis added.) Where t h e power t o c l a s s i f y a c r i m e a s a f e l o n y o r a misdemeanor i s g i v e n t o t h e judge, through t h e sentence he

imposes, r a t h e r t h a n t o t h e p r o s e c u t o r , t h e r e i s no e q u a l protection violation. F.2d 75. See: 770. Gibson v . D e l l , (9th C i r . 1 9 7 1 ) , 443

D a l o i a v. Rhay ( 9 t h C i r . 1 9 5 8 ) , 252 F.2d 768,

The r a t i o n a l e f o r t h i s d i s t i n c t i o n was s e t f o r t h by

Mr.

J u s t i c e Black i n h i s d i s s e n t i n B e r r a v . United S t a t e s , 131, 1 4 0 , 76 S.Ct. 685, 100 L.ed. 1013:

( 1 9 5 6 ) , 351 U.S.

" * * * Of c o u r s e i t i s t r u e t h a t under o u r s y s t e m Congress may v e s t t h e judge and j u r y w i t h broad power t o s a y how much punishment s h a l l b e imposed f o r a p a r t i c u l a r o f f e n s e . But i t i s q u i t e d i f f e r e n t t o v e s t s u c h powers i n a p r o s e c u t i n g a t t o r n e y . A judge and j u r y a c t under p r o c e d u r a l r u l e s c a r e f u l l y p r e s c r i b e d t o p r o t e c t t h e l i b e r t y of t h e i n d i vidual. T h e i r judgments and v e r d i c t s a r e r e a c h e d a f t e r a p u b l i c t r i a l i n which a defenda n t h a s t h e r i g h t t o be r e p r e s e n t e d by a n attorney. No s u c h p r o t e c t i o n s a r e thrown around d e c i s i o n s by a p r o s e c u t i n g a t t o r n e y . " * 351 U.S. 140.

*"

Nor w a s t h e s t a t u t e u n c o n s t i t u t i o n a l l y vague b e c a u s e t h e judge c o u l d s e n t e n c e t h e o f f e n s e a s e i t h e r a f e l o n y o r a misdemeanor, w i t h o u t s t a t u t o r y g u i d e l i n e s a s t o when e a c h g r a d e o f s e n t e n c e s h o u l d be imposed. One of t h e p u r p o s e s of

t h e 1973 Montana C r i m i n a l Code was t o v e s t wide s e n t e n c i n g d i s c r e t i o n i n t h e t r i a l judge who i s f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e c h a r a c t e r and p a s t r e c o r d of t h e d e f e n d a n t , and w i t h t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s of t h e p a r t i c u l a r c a s e . Although t h e p e n a l t y

p r o v i s i o n of t h e c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon s t a t u t e , a s i t was i n e f f e c t when d e f e n d a n t committed t h e c r i m e , was n o t a r t f u l l y p h r a s e d , i t meant no more t h a n t h a t one found g u i l t y of t h e s e c t i o n c o u l d b e s e n t e n c e d t o imprisonment i n t h e s t a t e p r i s o n f o r a term n o t t o exceed f i v e y e a r s . s e n t e n c i n g c l a u s e , t h e r e f o r e , was no d i f f e r e n t The

from o t h e r
-

s e c t i o n s o f t h e c r i m i n a l code which l i k e w i s e v e s t t h e

s e n t e n c i n g judge w i t h t h e d i s c r e t i o n t o impose a misdemeanor o r a f e l o n y s e n t e n c e , a s t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s of t h e c a s e warrant. See, e.g., s e c t i o n 94-6-104,
R.C.M.

1947 ( a r s o n

s e n t e n c e n o t t o exceed twenty y e a r s i m p r i s o n m e n t ) ; s e c t i o n 94-6-204,
R.C.M.

1947 ( b u r g l a r y s e n t e n c e n o t t o exceed t e n
R.C.M.

y e a r s i m p r i s o n m e n t ) ; s e c t i o n 94-7-202,

1947 ( p e r j u r y

s e n t e n c e n o t t o exceed t e n y e a r s i m p r i s o n m e n t ) .

Defendant c o n t e n d s h e w a s n o t informed t h a t , upon c o n v i c t i o n of c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon, h e m i g h t have r e c e i v e d a misdemeanor r a t h e r t h a n a f e l o n y s e n t e n c e . Defendant a s s e r t s had h e r e a l i z e d t h a t h e m i g h t have been c o n v i c t e d of o n l y a misdemeanor, h e would have s t o o d t r i a l r a t h e r than plead g u i l t y . To be v a l i d , d e f e n d a n t ' s g u i l t y p l e a must have been e n t e r e d v o l u n t a r i l y and u n d e r s t a n d i n g l y . ( 1 9 6 9 ) , 395 U.S. S t a t e v. Doty, 3 4 St.Rep. 731. 238, 244, 89 S.Ct. (1977), Mont. Boykin v . Alabama,

1709, 23 L ed 2d 274;

,

566 P.2d 1388, 1391,

A p l e a of g u i l t y i s i n v a l i d as n o t h a v i n g

been u n d e r s t a n d i n g l y e n t e r e d i f t h e d e f e n d a n t was n o t informed o f t h e maximum p o t e n t i a l p e n a l t y upon c o n v i c t i o n . United S t a t e s , (5th C i r . Tucker v . In

1 9 6 9 ) , 409 F.2d 1291, 1295.

t h i s c a s e , d e f e n d a n t was p r o p e r l y informed of t h e maximum p o t e n t i a l s e n t e n c e upon a g u i l t y p l e a . A g u i l t y p l e a i s n o t n e c e s s a r i l y i n v a l i d i f a d e f e n d a n t i s n o t informed of minimum p e n a l t i e s upon c o n v i c t i o n . Defendant m i s c o n s t r u e s Montana

law when h e s t a t e s t h a t h e d i d n o t r e a l i z e he m i g h t have been c o n v i c t e d of a misdemeanor r a t h e r t h a n a f e l o n y . Defendant c o u l d have been c o n v i c t e d a t t r i a l i n t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t o n l y o f t h e o f f e n s e of c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon. A s p r e v i o u s l y d i s c u s s e d , t h e o f f e n s e assumes t h e c h a r a c t e r of misdemeanor o r f e l o n y o n l y a f t e r t h e judge h a s imposed sentence.
A c o n v i c t i o n a f t e r t r i a l o r a c o n v i c t i o n due t o a

g u i l t y p l e a t h e r e f o r e had no e f f e c t upon whether t h e o f f e n s e would s u b s e q u e n t l y be c l a s s i f i e d a s a misdemeanor o r a f e l o n y , and t h e f a i l u r e t o i n f o r m d e f e n d a n t of t h e minimum s e n t e n c e d i d n o t a f f e c t t h e v o l u n t a r i n e s s of h i s g u i l t y plea. Defendant n e x t a l l e g e s h e was d e n i e d e f f e c t i v e a s s i s -

t a n c e of c o u n s e l when h e e n t e r e d h i s p l e a of g u i l t y t o t h e c h a r g e of c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon. This Court has

s t a t e d t h e s t a n d a r d f o r e v a l u a t i n g a n inadequacy of c o u n s e l claim i s t h e " f a r c e and sham t e s t " . S t a t e v . McElveen,

( 1 9 7 5 ) , 168 Mont. (1977) I Mont.

500, 504, 544 P.2d 820; S t a t e v . M i l l e r ,

,

568 P.2d 1 3 0 , 34 St.Rep.

838.

I n e x p l a i n i n g t h e s p e c i f i c s of t h i s t e s t , t h i s C o u r t has held t h a t t o render e f f e c t i v e a s s i s t a n c e within t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s of t h e S i x t h Amendment, U n i t e d S t a t e s C o n s t i t u t i o n , and A r t i c l e 11, S e c t i o n 24, 1972 Montana C o n s t i t u t i o n , c o u n s e l must a t t e m p t t o " d i s c o v e r a l l t h e f a c t s and circums t a n c e s of t h e crime" t h r o u g h " t h o r o u g h i n v e s t i g a t i o n o f t h e p e r s o n s and e v e n t s i n v o l v e d i n t h e c r i m e . " 168 Mont. 506. S t a t e v . McElveen,

The r e p r e s e n t a t i o n by c o u n s e l must a l s o

i n c l u d e a d e q u a t e p r e p a r a t i o n and c o n f e r e n c e w i t h h i s c l i e n t . S t a t e v . McElveen, 168 Mont. 504, q u o t i n g W i l l i a m s v . B e t o , (5th C i r . 1 9 6 5 ) , 354 F.2d 698, 704. Adequate c o n f e r e n c e

w i t h t h e c l i e n t i n c l u d e s a d v i s i n g t h e c l i e n t of h i s r i g h t s and e l i c i t i n g from t h e c l i e n t a l l m a t t e r s of d e f e n s e , o r a s c e r t a i n i n g t h a t t h e r e e x i s t s no d e f e n s e . Peyton, U.S. See: C o l e s v . 393

( 4 t h C i r . 1 9 6 8 ) , 389 F.2d 2 2 4 , 226, c e r t . d e n . , 8 0 , 2 1 L ed 2d120 ( 1 9 6 8 ) .

849, 89 S.Ct.

Defendant c l a i m s t h a t c o u n s e l was i n e f f e c t i v e b e c a u s e counsel d i d not attempt t o suppress t h e evidence obtained i n a s e a r c h of d e f e n d a n t , b e c a u s e c o u n s e l d i d n o t make any i n v e s t i g a t i o n t o d e t e r m i n e t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l i t y of t h e c o n c e a l e d weapons s t a t u t e , and b e c a u s e c o u n s e l made no i n v e s t i g a t i o n a s t o why d e f e n d a n t was c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon. The d e c i s i o n s of whether t o c h a l l e n g e t h e c o n s t i t u -

t i o n a l i t y of a s t a t u t e o r t o move t o s u p p r e s s e v i d e n c e a r e m a t t e r s of l e g a l judgment. I n t h i s c a s e , we h o l d t h e c a r r y i n g

a c o n c e a l e d weapon s t a t u t e was c o n s t i t u t i o n a l . D e f e n d a n t ' s a t t o r n e y s t a t e d i n a n a f f i d a v i t t h a t d e f e n d a n t had e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e p o l i c e had a u t h o r i t y t o s e a r c h d e f e n d a n t a s a c o n d i t i o n of d e f e n d a n t ' s p a r o l e on t h e second d e g r e e a s s a u l t charge. Defendant c l a i m s he had no c r i m i n a l i n t e n t b e c a u s e

t h e r e a s o n h e w a s c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon was t o p r o t e c t h i m s e l f from a t t a c k i n t h e b a r t h a t h e w a s i n . Concealing a

p i s t o l o r r e v o l v e r on h i s p e r s o n w i t h i n t h e c i t y l i m i t s , however, was s u f f i c i e n t e v i d e n c e t o c o n v i c t under s e c t i o n
94-8-210.

The r e a s o n s f o r d e f e n d a n t ' s c o n c e a l i n g t h e weapon

were i n t h i s c a s e i r r e l e v a n t t o t h e i s s u e of c r i m i n a l i n t e n t , though t h o s e r e a s o n s m i g h t have been a r e l e v a n t c o n s i d e r a t i o n i n sentencing. D e f e n d a n t ' s c o u n s e l , i n a n a f f i d a v i t , swore t h a t h e c o n s u l t e d w i t h d e f e n d a n t a s t o t h e f a c t s o f t h e c a s e and p o s s i b l e d e f e n s e s , a r r a n g e d t o t a k e s t a t e m e n t s from prospect i v e w i t n e s s e s , had c o n v e r s a t i o n s w i t h v a r i o u s p e r s o n s i n v o l v e d i n t h e c a s e , c o n s i d e r e d and r e j e c t e d t h e p o s s i b i l i t y of s u b m i t t i n g a motion t o s u p p r e s s , d e t e r m i n e d t h a t t h e r e w a s no sound d e f e n s e , and f i n a l l y a d v i s e d d e f e n d a n t t h e r e was a l m o s t no chance of s u c c e s s a t t r i a l . Defense c o u n s e l

t h e n p l e a b a r g a i n e d w i t h t h e c o u n t y a t t o r n e y and a d v i s e d d e f e n d a n t t o e n t e r a g u i l t y p l e a i n exchange f o r a p r o s e c u t i o n r e q u e s t f o r a twenty y e a r s e n t e n c e . Subsequent t o

s e n t e n c i n g , d e f e n d a n t ' s a t t o r n e y made a motion t o v a c a t e t h e twenty y e a r s e n t e n c e , s u p p o r t e d by a memorandum of law. r e p r e s e n t a t i o n of d e f e n d a n t by h i s a t t o r n e y was e f f e c t i v e w i t h i n t h e s t a n d a r d s s e t f o r t h i n S t a t e v . McElveen, s u p r a . The f i n a l c o n t e n t i o n of d e f e n d a n t i s t h a t t h e twenty y e a r s e n t e n c e he r e c e i v e d was c r u e l and u n u s u a l punishment p r o s c r i b e d by t h e E i g h t h Amendment, U n i t e d S t a t e s ~ o n s t i t u t i o n , The

and by A r t i c l e 11, S e c t i o n 22, 1972 Montana C o n s t i t u t i o n . D e f e n d a n t c o n t e n d s t h e s e n t e n c e i s e x c e s s i v e and d i s p r o p o r t i o n a t e t o t h e c r i m e o f c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon, a

crime which h e a l l e g e s u s u a l l y b r i n g s o n l y a f i n e , a s h o r t
j a i l s e n t e n c e , o r b o t h s u c h f i n e and j a i l s e n t e n c e . Defendant for

n o t e s t h a t t h e maximum s e n t e n c e u n d e r s e c t i o n 94-8-210

t h e o f f e n s e o f c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon i s f i v e y e a r s . D e f e n d a n t m i s c o n s t r u e s t h e o f f e n s e f o r which h e was c h a r g e d . A l t h o u g h h e w a s a r r e s t e d and c o n v i c t e d o f c a r r y i n g a c o n c e a l e d weapon, h e w a s s e n t e n c e d n o t a s a f i r s t - t i m e felony v i o l a t o r of t h e criminal l a w s , but a s a p e r s i s t e n t felony offender.
I t i s i n d i s p u t a b l e t h a t a s e n t e n c e , though

i t b e w i t h i n t h e maximum s e n t e n c e a l l o w e d by s t a t u t e , may b e
s o e x c e s s i v e and d i s p r o p r o t i o n a t e t o t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s o f t h e o f f e n s e a s t o c o n s t i t u t e c r u e l and u n u s u a l p u n i s h m e n t . Weems v. United S t a t e s , 544, 54 L.ed. 1 2 S.Ct. ( 1 9 1 0 ) , 217 U.S. 349, 367, 30 S . C t . 323,

793; O ' N e i l v . Vermont,

( 1 8 9 2 ) , 1 4 4 U.S.

693, 36 L.ed.

450 ( F i e l d , J . , d i s s e n t i n g ) .

" * * * t h e C r u e l and Unusual Punishment C l a u s e * * *
p r o s c r i b e s punishment g r o s s l y d i s p r o p o r t i o n a t e t o t h e s e v e r i t y of t h e crime* 430 U.S.

* *

."

Ingraham v . W r i g h t ,

(1977),

651, 667, 97 S.Ct.

1401, 51 L e d 2d 711, 727, 728.

M i n d f u l o f t h i s l i m i t a t i o n , w e n o t e , however "

* * *

t h e g e n e r a l r u l e t h a t a s e n t e n c e w i t h i n t h e maximum a u t h o r i z e d by s t a t u t e i s n o t c r u e l and u n u s u a l p u n i s h m e n t . "
i

S t a t e v.

Karahthos,
C

( 1 9 7 2 ) , 1 5 8 Mont. 461, 468, 493 P.2d 326.

The t w e n t y y e a r s e n t e n c e which d e f e n d a n t r e c e i v e d was

w e l l w i t h i n t h e o n e hundred y e a r maximum s e n t e n c e a u t h o r i z e d
by s e c t i o n 95-1507, t h e p e r s i s t e n t felony offender s t a t u t e The punishment p r o s c r i b e d

u n d e r which d e f e n d a n t was s e n t e n c e d .

was n o t g r o s s l y d i s p r o p o r t i o n a t e t o t h e s e v e r i t y o f t h e

offense.

Though the maximum penalty for the first felony

offense of carrying a concealed weapon is five years imprisonment, defendant had previously been convicted of another felony. Persistent felony offender statutes "

* * *

prescribe

such penalties as may be deemed appropriate in view of the nature of the offense and the character of the offender, taking in view his past conduct

* * *

taking into considera-

tion past offenses committed by the accused as a circumstance of aggravation

* * * ." Carlesi

v. New York, (1914), 233

u.S. 51, 59, 34 S.Ct. 576, 58 L.ed. 843, 849. In this case, defendant's previous felony conviction was for second degree assault, a violent crime against another human being. Defendant's second felony conviction

was for carrying a concealed weapon in a shoulder holster concealed by a leather jacket. The concealed weapon was a

.38 caliber pistol with a two inch barrel, a weapon which if used on another individual could likely cause serious bodily injury or death. Defendant committed the carrying a con-

cealed weapon offense less than nine months after being paroled on the felony assault crime. Given these circum-

stances, we cannot say the twenty year sentence was so grossly disproportionate to the severity of the crime as to constitute cruel and unusual punishment. The order of the District Court denying defendant's petition for post-conviction relief is affirmed.

We Concur:



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