PEOPLE OF MI V BONITA GAIL HALL
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
UNPUBLISHED
September 8, 2000
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v
No. 214496
Oakland Circuit Court
LC No. 98-160046-FH
BONITA GAIL HALL,
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: Fitzgerald, P.J., and Holbrook, Jr., and McDonald, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Defendant appeals by right her conviction of first-degree retail fraud, MCL 750.356c; MSA
28.588(3). Defendant was sentenced as a fourth habitual offender, MCL 769.12; MSA 28.1084, to a
term of nine to fifteen years’ imprisonment. We affirm.
Defendant first argues that the trial court abused its discretion by conducting an inadequate jury
voir dire. We disagree. Well after the first witness began her testimony, defense counsel moved for a
mistrial on the ground that the court failed to ask the potential jurors about their beliefs regarding a
defendant’s right not to testify during jury voir dire. During the voir dire, the court rejected a defense
request that the court “ask questions of the jurors relative to various of the constitutional rights that are
attendant to trial.” We conclude that defendant’s request, which invoked any of several constitutional
rights, was too vague to preserve this issue for review. See People v Gonzalez, 178 Mich App 526,
534-545; 444 NW2d 228 (1989). Accordingly, we review the alleged error under the plain error rule.
“To avoid forfeiture under the plain error rule, three requirements must be met: 1) the error
must have occurred, 2) the error was plain . . . , 3) and the plain error affected substantial rights. The
third requirement generally requires a showing of prejudice . . . .” People v Carines, 460 Mich 750,
763; 597 NW2d 130 (1999). Further, if the three elements of the plain error rule are established,
“[r]eversal is warranted only when the plain, forfeited error resulted in the conviction of an actually
innocent defendant or when an error “‘“seriously affect[ed] the fairness, integrity or public reputation of
judicial proceedings’ independent of the defendant’s innocence.”’” Id. at 763-764, quoting United
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States v Olano, 507 US 725, 736-737; 113 S Ct 1770; 123 L Ed 2d 508 (1993) (quoting United
States v Atkinson, 297 US 157, 160; 56 S Ct 391; 80 L Ed 555 [1936]).
After reviewing the record, we conclude that defendant has failed to establish the three elements
of the plain error rule. Accordingly, the issue has been forfeited. Further, even if the plain error rule had
been satisfied, defendant has failed to show that the fairness, integrity or public reputation of judicial
proceedings was adversely affected.
Defendant next argues that her sentence violates the two-thirds rule of People v Tanner, 387
Mich 683; 199 NW2d 202 (1972). We disagree. The two-thirds rule of Tanner applies to habitual
offender sentences. People v Wright, 432 Mich 84, 85-86; 437 NW2d 603 (1989). Because the
offense of first-degree retail fraud had, at the time of trial, a statutory maximum term of two years, the
maximum enhanced sentence for fourth felony offenders was fifteen years. MCL 769.12; MSA
28.1084. That was the maximum sentence defendant received. Defendant’s nine-year minimum
sentence was within the Tanner rule.
We also conclude that defendant’s claim that the court was required to hold a separate hearing
to determine the existence of defendant’s prior convictions is without merit. Prior convictions may be
determined by the court at sentencing. MCL 769.13(5); MSA 28.1085 (5); People v Green, 228
Mich App 684, 700; 580 NW2d 444 (1998). As was done here, the prior conviction may be
established by information contained in the presentence report. MCL 769.13(5)(c); MSA
28.1085(5)(c); Green, supra at 700. Due process is satisfied if the sentence is based on accurate
information and the defendant had a reasonable opportunity at sentencing to challenge the information.
People v Williams, 215 Mich App 234, 236; 544 NW2d 480 (1996). Defendant was given the
opportunity to speak at the sentencing, but chose not to challenge any of the information in the
presentencing investigation report. A defendant cannot collaterally attack prior convictions used at
sentencing for the first time on appeal. People v Jones, 83 Mich App 559, 568; 269 NW2d 224
(1978).
Finally, defendant argues that the trial court abused its discretion because her sentence violated
the principle of proportionality. Again, we disagree. A sentence must be proportionate to the
seriousness of the crime and the defendant’s prior record. People v Paquette, 214 Mich App 336,
344-345; 543 NW2d 342 (1995). Where an habitual offender’s criminal history demonstrates that he
is unable to conform his conduct to the law, a sentence within the statutory limits is proportionate.
People v Hansford (After Remand), 454 Mich 320, 326; 562 NW2d 460 (1997).
Here the trial court considered permissible factors in sentencing defendant, including,
punishment of defendant, protection of society, reformation of defendant, and deterrence of others.
People v Rice (On Remand), 235 Mich App 429, 446; 597 NW2d 843 (1999). Defendant’s
voluminous record of offenses, some of which were committed while she was on parole, demonstrates
an inability to conform her conduct to the law. Accordingly, we find no abuse of discretion in
defendant’s sentence. Hansford, supra at 323.
Affirmed.
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/s/ E. Thomas Fitzgerald
/s/ Donald E. Holbrook, Jr.
/s/ Gary R. McDonald
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