Opinion
Docket No. 97463.
Decided April 5, 1988.
Frank J. Kelley, Attorney General, Louis J. Caruso, Solicitor General, John D. O'Hair, Prosecuting Attorney, Timothy A. Baughman, Chief of the Criminal Division, Research, Training and Appeals, and Brian D. Marzec, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for the people.
State Appellate Defender (by James Krogsrud), for defendant on appeal.
Following a bench trial, defendant was convicted of two counts of felonious assault, MCL 750.82; MSA 28.177, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, MCL 750.227b; MSA 28.424(2), and carrying a concealed weapon (CCW), MCL 750.227; MSA 28.424. Defendant was sentenced to imprisonment for 2 to 4 years on the felonious assault convictions, 2 1/2 to 5 years on the CCW conviction, and the mandatory 2-year term on the felony-firearm conviction. The court stated that the felonious assault and CCW sentences were to be served consecutively to the 2-year felony-firearm sentence. On the same day, defendant was sentenced in another case, case number 86-5632, in which he had been convicted of escape from prison. Defendant was sentenced in that case to one to two years imprisonment, to run consecutively to the other sentences. Defendant appeals as of right, challenging his sentences.
First, defendant claims that the court erred in making his CCW sentence run consecutively to his felony-firearm sentence. The prosecutor concedes that this was error and we agree. In the absence of statutory authority, sentences are to run concurrently, not consecutively. In re Carey, 372 Mich. 378, 380; 126 N.W.2d 727 (1964). By statute, a sentence for felony-firearm is to be served consecutively to the sentence for the underlying felony. MCL 750.227b; MSA 28.424(2) states in pertinent part:
(1) A person who carries or has in his possession a firearm at the time he commits or attempts to commit a felony, except the violation of section 227 or section 227a, is guilty of a felony, and shall be imprisoned for 2 years. . . .
(2) The term of imprisonment prescribed by this section shall be in addition to the sentence imposed for the conviction of the felony or the attempt to commit the felony, and shall be served consecutively with and preceding any term of imprisonment imposed for the conviction of the felony or attempt to commit the felony.
However, there is no statute mandating that a sentence for CCW be served consecutively to a sentence for felony firearm. In fact, MCL 750.227b(1); MSA 28.424(2)(1) states specifically that CCW may not be the underlying felony for a felony-firearm conviction. Therefore, defendant's CCW sentence should run concurrently with his felony-firearm sentence.
Next, defendant claims he is entitled to resentencing because the court did not sufficiently articulate its reasons for the sentences imposed, as required by People v Coles, 417 Mich. 523, 550; 339 N.W.2d 440 (1983). The sentencing transcript reveals that the court did not state any reasons before imposing the sentences, but, after imposition, stated: "I hope it becomes clear to you that this society will not tolerate that kind of behavior, understand that?"
Although it is apparent that the court was stating as its reason the protection of society, we feel the court's articulation was insufficient. According to Coles, the purposes of articulation are 1) to improve the justification for the sentence, 2) to develop a rational policy on which to base sentencing in the future, 3) to prevent rash and arbitrary decisions, 4) to promote thought by the sentencing court, and 5) to enable the defendant to hear the court's reasons for imposition of the sentence before it is imposed so he can correct any inaccuracies upon which the court relies. Coles, supra, pp 549-550. These goals are difficult, if not impossible, to meet if the court waits until the end of the sentencing hearing and makes a remark such as the one at bar.
We have held that remand to the sentencing court for articulation of reasons is the appropriate remedy in such cases. See People v Williams, 142 Mich. App. 611, 614; 370 N.W.2d 7 (1985), lv den 424 Mich. 903 (1986). However, we note that the sentences in the instant case exceeded the limits recommended in the guidelines. The Sentencing Information Report reveals that the recommended minimum sentence for defendant's felonious assault convictions was zero to eighteen months, and the recommended minimum sentence for defendant's CCW conviction was zero to twelve months. Besides not articulating reasons for the sentences, the court also did not state its reasons for exceeding the recommended limits in the guidelines, as required by People v Fleming, 428 Mich. 408; 410 N.W.2d 266 (1987). Thus, under the facts of this case, we feel remand for resentencing is appropriate. Upon remand, the court is instructed to state its reasons for the sentences imposed and, if the court imposes sentences exceeding the recommendations of the guidelines, its reasons for exceeding those recommendations.
Remanded for resentencing in accordance with this opinion.