People v. Williams

Opinion

BROWN (Gerald), P. J. This is Williams’ second appeal to this Court in this case. In our first opinion, filed September 28, 1973 (nonpublished, hearing denied), this matter was returned to the trial court for resentencing because of confusion in the handling of two prior convictions at the time of sentencing. At resentencing the trial court struck the two prior convictions and otherwise left the sentence the same as before. Williams was sentenced to prison for consecutive terms prescribed by law for robbery, and for assault with a deadly weapon, with the additional penalty under Penal Code section 12022.5 for having used a firearm.

On this appeal Williams claims the Penal Code section 3024, subdivision (d) prohibition of minimum time exceeding 10 years applies to him. He reasons the minimum terms of 5 years for robbery, 6 months for assault with a deadly weapon, plus 5 years under Penal Code section 12022.5, totaling IOV2 years, is improper under section 3024, subdivision (d) which states: “The following shall be the minimum term of sentence and imprisonment in certain cases, notwithstanding any other provisions of this code, or any provision of law specifying a lesser sentence:

[549]"

“(d) For a person convicted at one trial of more than one felony, and upon whom are imposed cumulative or consecutive sentences the aggregate of the minimum terms of which exceed 10 years, 10 years.”

At page 14 of our first opinion we said: “Penal Code section 1168 requires the court to sentence Williams ‘to be imprisoned, in a state prison’ and forbids it fixing ‘the term or duration of the period of imprisonment.’ Williams’ argument the court should ensure his aggregate minimum term of punishment does not exceed 10 years is misdirected. He cites Penal Code section 3024 setting a minimum term of not more than 10 years for several felonies in one trial. That section, however, is directed to the Adult Authority.

“In addition, Penal Code section 12022.5 is not an offense (People v. Henry, 14 Cal.App.3d 89, 92 [91 Cal.Rptr. 841]).”

Penal Code section 12022.5 places an additional penalty upon the person who uses a firearm in committing specified crimes. Its purpose is to discourage the use of firearms. Here the total minimum time of the consecutive sentences under 3024, subdivision (d) is but 5 Vi years. The additional time imposed under section 12022.5 is not to be included in computing the minimum term under section 3024, subdivision (d); thus, there is no possible violation of that section under the sentence by the lower court.