State v. Alan J. Ernst
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2005 WI 107 SUPREME COURT CASE NO.: COMPLETE TITLE: OF WISCONSIN 2003AP1728-CR State of Wisconsin, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. Alan J. Ernst, Defendant-Appellant. ON CERTIFICATION FROM THE COURT OF APPEALS OPINION FILED: SUBMITTED ON BRIEFS: ORAL ARGUMENT: November 12, 2004 SOURCE OF APPEAL: COURT: COUNTY: JUDGE: Circuit Fond du Lac Dale L. English JUSTICES: CONCURRED: CONCUR/DISSENT: July 7, 2005 ABRAHAMSON, C.J., concurs (opinion filed). PROSSER, J., concurs (opinion filed). WILCOX, J., concurs in part, dissents in part (opinion filed). DISSENTED: NOT PARTICIPATING: ATTORNEYS: For the defendant-appellant there were briefs by Jeffrey W. Jensen and Law Offices of Jeffrey W. Jensen, Milwaukee, and oral argument by Jeffrey W. Jensen. For the plaintiff-respondent the cause was argued by Michael C. Sanders, assistant attorney general, with whom on the briefs was Peggy A. Lautenschlager, attorney general. 2005 WI 107 NOTICE This opinion is subject to further editing and modification. The final version will appear in the bound volume of the official reports. No. 2003AP1728-CR (L.C. No. 02 CF 304) STATE OF WISCONSIN : IN SUPREME COURT State of Wisconsin, FILED Plaintiff-Respondent, JUL 7, 2005 v. Alan J. Ernst, Cornelia G. Clark Clerk of Supreme Court Defendant-Appellant. APPEAL from an order of the Circuit Court for Fond du Lac County, Dale L. English, Judge. ¶1 on Reversed and cause remanded. N. PATRICK CROOKS, J. certification from the This case is before the court court of Wis. Stat. § (Rule) 809.61 (2001-02).1 appeals, pursuant to The defendant, Alan J. Ernst (Ernst), who has been charged with his fifth offense of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, asks 1 Unless otherwise indicated all Statutes are to the 2001-02 edition. references to Wisconsin Wisconsin Stat. § (Rule) 809.61 states, in relevant part: "The supreme court may take jurisdiction of an appeal or other proceeding in the court of appeals upon certification by the court of appeals or upon the supreme court's own motion." No. for review of a non-final order of the Fond du 2003AP1728-CR Lac County Circuit Court, which granted the State of Wisconsin's (State) request to hold an evidentiary hearing, during which it will have the chance to question Ernst in an attempt to prove that Ernst's waiver of the right to counsel was valid and that he was competent to represent himself. The circuit court concluded that the record of Ernst's fourth conviction for operating under the influence of an intoxicant was deficient in two respects: 1) the difficulties and disadvantages of self-representation were not adequately explained; and 2) competency was not explicitly addressed. Thus, the circuit court, in effect, held that Ernst had made a prima facie showing that his waiver of counsel was not knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. ¶2 We conclude, first, based on our superintending and administrative authority, that the requirements this court imposed in State v. Klessig, 211 Wis. 2d 194, 564 N.W.2d 716 (1997), regarding waiver of counsel, survive the United States Supreme Court's decision in Iowa v. Tovar, 541 U.S. 77 (2004). Second, we hold that an alleged violation of the requirements of Klessig can form the basis of a collateral attack, as long as the defendant makes a prima facie showing, pointing to facts that demonstrate that he or she did not knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waive his or her constitutional right to counsel. Third, we conclude that when the defendant successfully makes a prima facie showing, the burden to prove that the defendant validly waived his or her right to counsel shifts to the State (State of Wisconsin). 2 Fourth, we hold that No. 2003AP1728-CR the State may call and elicit testimony from the defendant at an evidentiary hearing in an attempt to meet its burden and, in turn, the defendant may not raise his or her Fifth Amendment privilege against testifying. Finally, we conclude that the defendant's refusal to testify under these circumstances allows a circuit court reasonably to infer that the State has satisfied its burden of showing a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of the right to counsel. I ¶3 The relevant facts are not in dispute. On August 10, 2002, the Fond du Lac County police stopped Ernst on suspicion that he was operating his vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant (OWI). Ernst failed his field sobriety tests and was then placed under arrest. His blood-alcohol content was measured at 0.02.2 ¶4 A Fond du Lac County Assistant District Attorney filed a two-count complaint against Ernst. OWI, pursuant to He was charged with an Wis. Stat. § 346.63(1)(a), and prohibited alcohol concentration under § 346.63(1)(b). having a Because Ernst had received four prior convictions for OWI, these crimes were charged as fifth offenses. ¶5 Before trial, Ernst filed a motion collaterally attacking his fourth OWI conviction for the purpose of reducing 2 It should be noted that having at least three prior convictions for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant lowers the prohibited alcohol concentration of a driver from the usual 0.08 to 0.02. See Wis. Stat. § 340.01(46m)(c). 3 No. the penalty enhancement in the pending case. 2003AP1728-CR He alleged that his Sixth Amendment right to counsel3 had not been validly waived when he pled guilty to the previous OWI charge. Specifically, he claimed he "was not represented by counsel and the court did not take a knowing and voluntary waiver of counsel from the defendant or determine that the defendant was competent to represent himself." ¶6 Following a motion hearing, the Fond du Lac County Circuit Court, Dale L. English, Judge, concluded that the record in Ernst's fourth OWI conviction, in regard to his waiver of counsel, was deficient because Ernst was not adequately instructed on the difficulties and disadvantages of proceeding pro se, and that competency was not explicitly addressed. The transcript from his plea and sentencing proceeding on February 26, 2002, in relevant part, sets forth the following: THE COURT: Mr. Ernst, the Plea Questionnaire and Waiver of Rights form that I have received is it your wish to proceed here today without counsel? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, it is, Your Honor. 3 The provides: Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence. 4 No. 2003AP1728-CR THE COURT: And do you feel that that's a decision that you have made of your own volition? THE DEFENDANT: It was a hard decision, yes, it was. But, yes. THE COURT: Okay. You understand the document that I have received? You've read through it? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir, I have. THE COURT: side? And this is your signature on the back THE DEFENDANT: Yes, it is, Your Honor. THE COURT: And it's dated today's date? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, it is. THE COURT: The form indicates that you would be entering a no contest plea; that you do have a high school diploma; that you understand the English language; that you understand the charge to which you are pleading; that you are not currently receiving treatment for a mental illness or disorder; nor have you had any alcohol, medications, or drugs within the last 24 hours. Are all of those statements true and correct? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, they are. THE COURT: As it relates to your constitutional rights, you have put check marks in each of the boxes preceding each of the seven rights and concludes with a statement that you understand the rights that have been checked and that you are giving them up of your own free will. Is that also true and correct? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, it is. . . . . The COURT: You understand the penalties that the Court could impose in this matter? THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I do, Your Honor. 5 No. ¶7 fourth After OWI evidentiary the circuit court's conviction, the hearing show to State ruling in regard Ernst to the requested promptly that 2003AP1728-CR an had knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waived his right to counsel in that case. The State also informed the court that it intended to call Ernst as a witness at this hearing. Ernst responded by announcing that he would assert his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination and would not testify if called as a witness. ¶8 After ordering the parties to submit briefs, the circuit court entered an order on June 17, 2003, which granted the State's request for an evidentiary hearing and allowed the State to question Ernst with respect to his previous waiver of counsel. The court reasoned that the State would never be able to meet its burden at such a hearing without being able to question the defendant and, that if unable to question him, the evidentiary hearing would become, in effect, meaningless. With respect to the Fifth Amendment privilege, the court held, first, "that it's disingenuous for a defendant to be able to raise a right to counsel issue . . . and then be insulated from having to testify about the very issues the defendant raises." The court also determined that Ernst could not incriminate himself with regard to the fourth OWI conviction, since he had been convicted on that charge previously. Subsequently, Ernst petitioned the court of appeals for interlocutory review of the circuit court's decision to grant an evidentiary hearing and to compel Ernst's testimony at the hearing. 6 The court of appeals No. 2003AP1728-CR granted the petition and then certified the case to this court. We granted review and heard oral arguments on November 12, 2004. ¶9 On December 1, 2004, we ordered the parties to file supplemental briefs. We have considered all of the briefs, as well as the oral arguments, and now reverse the order of the circuit court, since we determine that a sufficient prima facie case has not been established. We remand the case for further proceedings consistent with this opinion, where Ernst would have the opportunity to file an affidavit and attempt to establish a prima facie case. II ¶10 Whether a defendant knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waived his Sixth Amendment right to counsel requires the application of constitutional principles to the facts. See Klessig, 117 211 Wis. 2d at 204; see also State Wis. 2d 701, 715-16, 345 N.W.2d 457 (1984). v. Woods, We review such a question de novo, independently of the reasoning of the circuit court. Klessig, 211 Wis. 2d at 204. that court's analysis. We benefit, however, from Whether a party has met the burden of establishing a prima facie case presents a question of law which we review de novo. See State v. Baker, 169 Wis. 2d 49, 78, 485 N.W.2d 237 (1992). ¶11 Amendment violated. We also privilege determine whether against compulsory a defendant's incrimination Fifth may be Such an analysis presents a question of law and, thus, is subject to de novo review. See State v. Eastman, 185 Wis. 2d 405, 410, 518 N.W.2d 257 (1994). 7 No. 2003AP1728-CR III ¶12 this The first issue we address is whether the requirements court imposed in Klessig, regarding waiver of counsel, survive the United States Supreme Court's recent decision in Iowa v. Tovar. Ernst and the State seem to agree that the Klessig requirements may be imposed as a procedural rule under the court's superintending and administrative authority over the Wisconsin court system and, thus, do not conflict with the Supreme Court's holding in Tovar. ¶13 We first discussed the requirements necessary to effectuate a valid waiver of counsel in Pickens v. State, 96 Wis. 2d 549, 292 N.W.2d 601 (1980). In that case, the defendant attempted to have his conviction overturned because the circuit court failed to conduct an adequate inquiry into his decision to proceed pro se. Specifically, the defendant argued that his waiver was not knowing and voluntary. The court concluded that the record made no showing of the defendant validly waiving his right to counsel: [I]n order for an accused's waiver of his right to counsel to be valid, the record must reflect not only his deliberate choice to proceed without counsel, but also his awareness of the difficulties and disadvantages of self-representation, the seriousness of the charge or charges he is facing and the general range of possible penalties that may be imposed if he is found guilty. Unless the record reveals the defendant's deliberate choice and his awareness of these facts, a knowing and voluntary waiver will not be found. Id. at 563-64. the best way Although the court held that this colloquy was to accomplish a 8 thorough examination of the No. 2003AP1728-CR defendant's waiver, it did not require that such colloquy occur in every case. Id. ¶14 in Next, Klessig, we "overrule[d] Pickens to the extent that we mandate the use of a colloquy in every case where a defendant voluntary seeks waiver to of Wis. 2d at 206. proceed the pro right to se to prove and Klessig, counsel." knowing 211 Although Klessig also involved a defendant claiming an invalid waiver of counsel, the court prescribed a higher standard than previously applied in this state. Specifically, the court held: To prove such a valid waiver of counsel, the circuit court must conduct a colloquy designed to ensure that the defendant: (1) made a deliberate choice to proceed without counsel, (2) was aware of the difficulties and disadvantages of selfrepresentation, (3) was aware of the seriousness of the charge or charges against him, and (4) was aware of the general range of penalties that could have been imposed on him. If the circuit court fails to conduct such a colloquy, a reviewing court may not find, based on the record, that there was a valid waiver of counsel. Id. (citation omitted). The court adopted such requirements in order to insure that the defendant validly waived his right to counsel and to standard clear. ¶15 Most preserve appellate resources by making the See id. recently, in Tovar, the United States Supreme Court reviewed warnings which the Iowa Supreme Court had held essential to a "knowing and intelligent" waiver of the Sixth Amendment right to counsel. The state required were as follows: 9 specific warnings that the No. 2003AP1728-CR (1) advise the defendant that "waiving the assistance of counsel in deciding whether to plead guilty [entails] the risk that a viable defense will be overlooked"; and (2) "admonis[h]" the defendant "that by waiving his right to an attorney he will lose the opportunity to obtain an independent opinion on whether, under the facts and applicable law, it is wise to plead guilty"? Tovar, 541 U.S. at 81. In rejecting the argument that such warnings were required by the Sixth Amendment, the Supreme Court held that a valid waiver of the Sixth Amendment right to counsel did not require the particular language used by the Iowa courts. Instead, the requirement Supreme is Court satisfied held when that the "[t]he trial constitutional court informs the accused of the nature of the charges against him, of his right to be counseled allowable plea." regarding punishments his plea, attendant upon and the of the entry of range a of guilty Id. ¶16 The Court emphasized that it has never "prescribed any formula or script to be read" when a defendant seeks to proceed pro se. See id. at 88. The central component for a valid waiver is simply that the defendant "'knows what he is doing and his choice is made with his eyes open.'" Id. at 89 (quoting Adams 317 v. (1942)). specific United States ex rel. McCann, U.S. 269, 279 Such information "will depend on a range of casefactors, sophistication, the including complex the or defendant's easily grasped charge, and the stage of the proceeding." Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. 458, 464 (1938)). 10 education nature of or the Id. at 88 (citing No. ¶17 Supreme 2003AP1728-CR With these above principles in mind, the United States Court rejected some of the admonitions that were required by the Iowa Supreme Court, which had justified such requirements carefully on Sixth framed adopting its procedural procedure. Amendment grounds. holding rules to to The allow guide Supreme states the to waiver Court continue of counsel Specifically, the court held: "We note, finally, that States are free to adopt by statute, rule, or decision any guides to useful." ¶18 We the acceptance of an uncounseled plea they deem Id. at 94 (citations omitted). We recognize the Supreme Court's decision in Tovar. conclude, however, that the Klessig requirements are not based on the Sixth Amendment and, thus, do not conflict with the Supreme Court's holding. requirements are We do not conclude that the Klessig dictated Wisconsin Constitution.4 by Article I, Section 7 of the In Klessig, we never suggested that the colloquy requirements were based on either the United States Constitution or Article I, Section 7 of our State Constitution. 4 Article I, Section 7 of the Wisconsin Constitution provides, in relevant part: "In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the right to be heard by himself and counsel. . . ." Article VII, Section 3 of the Wisconsin Constitution states, in relevant part: "The supreme court shall have superintending and administrative authority over all courts." State v. Hansford, 219 Wis. 2d 226, 580 N.W.2d 171 (1998), we stated: "We recognize that the Wisconsin Constitution may afford greater protection than the United States Constitution." Id. at 242; see also Iowa v. Tovar, 541 U.S. 77, 94 (2004). In 11 No. 2003AP1728-CR Instead, we made it clear that the requirements were a courtmade procedural rule. Specifically, this court used its superintending and administrative authority to "mandate" the use of a colloquy in cases involving a defendant's waiver of the right to counsel, in order to serve "the dual purposes of ensuring that a defendant is not deprived of his constitutional rights and of resources." ¶19 efficiently guarding our scarce judicial Klessig, 211 Wis. 2d at 206. Superintending and administrative authority allows courts to formulate "procedural rules not specifically required by the Constitution or the [Legislature]." Hasting, 461 U.S. 499, 505 (1983). United States v. Such rules are designed to implement a remedy for a violation of recognized rights. id. See In Wisconsin, our authority to supervise the courts and issue procedural rules is found in Article VII of the Wisconsin Constitution. Article VII, Section 3 provides us with "superintending and administrative authority over all courts." This clause constitutes a grant of power "that is indefinite in character, limited unsupplied only Jezwinski, by 206 the with means necessities Wis. 2d 217, and of 225, instrumentalities, justice." 556 Arneson N.W.2d 721 and v. (1996) (citations omitted). ¶20 The administrative similar to justification authority that which this we for the court invoked Wis. 2d 246, 389 N.W.2d 12 (1986). in superintending utilized State in v. Klessig Bangert, and is 131 In that case, we held that a circuit court must follow prescribed methods for determining the 12 No. 2003AP1728-CR defendant's understanding of the nature of a charge. In so holding, States we concluded that, under the United Constitution, no particular procedure is mandated for a circuit court's acceptance of a no contest or guilty plea. Instead, we made "mandatory" that, as a procedural requirement, in order to assist the circuit court in making the constitutionally required determination that a defendant's plea is voluntary, a circuit court must undertake a personal colloquy with the defendant. The purpose of the colloquy is to ascertain his or her understanding of the nature of the charge, prior to the court's acceptance of a guilty or Wis. Stat. § 971.08(1). no See contest State plea, v. Wis. 2d 561, 572, 464 N.W.2d 839 (1991). pursuant Livingston, to 159 We based the sources of the required duties of the circuit court on the statute and on our "superintending and circuit courts. . . ." administrative authority over the Bangert, 131 Wis. 2d at 267 (footnote omitted). ¶21 undertake Similarly, in Klessig, we required a circuit court to a colloquy, constitutionally colloquy even required. requirement was and though We is such conclude a valid an action that use of the the was not Klessig court's superintending and administrative authority, just as it was in Bangert, and that such a rule does not conflict in any way with the United States Supreme Court's decision in Tovar, but rather receives endorsement from the Supreme Court's language in that decision. 13 No. 2003AP1728-CR IV ¶22 We next address whether the violation of the Klessig requirements can form the basis for a collateral attack.5 In State v. Hahn, 2000 WI 118, 238 Wis. 2d 889, 618 N.W.2d 528, we firmly established that "[i]n an enhanced sentence proceeding predicated on a prior conviction, the U.S. Constitution requires a trial court to consider an offender's allegations that the prior conviction is invalid only when the challenge to the prior conviction is based on the denial of constitutional right to a lawyer." Id., ¶17. must a the now determine whether, in offender's Consequently, we collateral attack, the violation of the Klessig requirements can be raised to the level of a constitutional violation and, if so, under what circumstances. ¶23 Ernst argues that our decision in Hahn should not prohibit a collateral challenge based upon the failure to follow the Klessig requirements. He contends that such a challenge based upon the failure to follow Klessig does not present a mere technical procedural violation, but rather that the required procedure is one by which the courts determine if a defendant validly waived his Sixth Amendment 5 right to counsel. We have held that a collateral attack in a prior conviction is "'an attempt to avoid, evade, or deny the force and effect of a judgment in an indirect manner and not in a direct proceeding prescribed by law and instituted for the purpose of vacating, reviewing, or annulling it.'" State v. Sorenson, 2002 WI 78, ¶35, 254 Wis. 2d 54, 646 N.W.2d 354 (quoting Zrimsek v. Am. Auto. Ins. Co., 8 Wis. 2d 1, 3, 98 N.W.2d 383 (1959)). 14 No. Specifically, Ernst constitutional argues "the violation implications . . . If the of 2003AP1728-CR the rule procedure has is not followed the default adjudication is that the waiver of counsel was not freely and voluntarily made (i.e. the defendant was denied his constitutional right to counsel)." ¶24 Conversely, the State contends that a violation of the Klessig requirements cannot comprise a constitutional violation and, thus, satisfy the test for a collateral attack. argues that there is a difference between a The State constitutional standard and "the procedures which states must follow to achieve conformance with Wis. 2d at 257. the constitutional standard." Bangert, 131 The State relies on our decision in Bangert to argue that the violation of a circuit court's required duty, based on our superintending and administrative authority, cannot, by itself, be the basis for a constitutional violation. In Bangert, we held that a violation of a court-made procedural rule, "though itself not constitutionally significant, may have constitutional ramifications," because "[i]f a defendant's understanding of the nature of the charge is not evidenced in some manner, then the plea standard of voluntariness." ¶25 will not meet the constitutional Id. at 261 n.3. We agree that a defendant must do more than allege that "'the plea colloquy was defective'" or the "'court failed to conform to its mandatory duties during the plea colloquy'" to satisfy the standard for collateral attacks set forth in Hahn. See State v. Hampton, 2004 WI 107, ¶57, 274 Wis. 2d 379, 683 N.W.2d 14. Instead, the defendant 15 must make a prima facie No. 2003AP1728-CR showing that his or her constitutional right to counsel in a prior proceeding was violated. In order to avoid any question concerning a valid waiver, "[t]he record must show, or there must be an allegation and evidence which show, that an accused was offered counsel rejected the offer." (1962). but intelligently and understandingly Carnley v. Cochran, 369 U.S. 506, 516 For there to be a valid collateral attack, we require the defendant to point to facts that demonstrate that he or she "did not know or understand the information which should have been provided" in the previous proceeding and, thus, did not knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waive his or her right to counsel. 131 See Hampton, 274 Wis. 2d 379, ¶46 (citing Bangert, Wis. 2d at 274-75). Any claim of a violation on a collateral attack that does not detail such facts will fail. ¶26 case, Applying the above principles to the facts of this we hold attack failed. that Ernst's attempt to initiate a collateral As noted earlier: "Whether a party has met its burden of establishing a prima facie case is a question of law that we decide de novo." omitted). Baker, 169 Wis. 2d at 78 (citation In his motion to avoid, for enhancement purposes, the effect of his prior conviction, Ernst asked the circuit court to set aside his fourth OWI conviction, because he was "not represented by counsel and the court did not take a knowing and voluntary waiver of counsel from the defendant. . . ." Ernst made no mention of specific facts that show that his plea was not a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary one. Instead, Ernst simply relied on the transcript and asserted that the court's 16 No. colloquy was not sufficient to satisfy Klessig. 2003AP1728-CR Specifically, he argued: "The Court did not take a valid waiver of counsel from the defendant in Case No. 02-CT-70 because the Court did not address each of the four Klessig factors with Alan Ernst in that case." Since this was a collateral attack, the lack of specific facts resulted in a failure to establish a prima facie case that Ernst voluntarily waive did his not knowingly, right to counsel. intelligently, and Accordingly, the decision of the circuit court on this issue must be reversed. V ¶27 to apply We next determine the proper procedures for the court when the defendant makes showing on a collateral attack. a sufficient prima facie Both parties agree that if the defendant makes such a showing, then the burden shifts to the State to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant's waiver of counsel was knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily entered. See Klessig, 211 Wis. 2d at 207.6 We agree with the parties as to the burden of proof, and conclude that the court should, at such a time, hold an evidentiary hearing to 6 In State v. Klessig, 211 Wis. 2d 194, 564 N.W.2d 716 (1997), we agreed to "adopt an evidentiary hearing procedure for resolving invalid waiver of counsel claims that is similar to the procedure established by this court for the resolution of guilty plea waivers." Id. at 207. Accordingly, like our decision in State v. Baker, 169 Wis. 2d 49, 485 N.W.2d 237 (1992), we require the State to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the waiver of counsel was "knowing, intelligent, and voluntary." Klessig, 211 Wis. 2d at 207. 17 No. 2003AP1728-CR allow the State an opportunity to meet its burden.7 "If the State is unable to establish by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waived his right to the assistance of counsel, the defendant will be entitled . . ." to attack, successfully collaterally, his or her previous conviction. ¶28 Id. Ernst argues, however, the State should not be able to examine the defendant at the evidentiary hearing. that no and case in Wisconsin involving a collateral He contends attack has required the defendant to testify at an evidentiary hearing, and that this court should refrain from doing so. Ernst also argues that the State's reliance on Klessig and Bangert is misplaced. Specifically, direct he attack on asserts that a prior because conviction, differently than a collateral attack. both they cases should involved be a treated Finally, Ernst contends that any requirement to make the defendant testify impinges his Fifth Amendment privilege against compulsory self-incrimination.8 7 This is the same appeal arises out of a validity of a defendant's v. State, 75 Wis. 2d 502, 8 The states: Fifth procedure that we have used when the postconviction motion challenging the waiver of counsel. Id. (citing Keller 511-12, 249 N.W.2d 773 (1977)). Amendment of the United States Constitution No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against 18 No. ¶29 court 2003AP1728-CR The State, on the other hand, agrees with the circuit that knowledge Ernst should concerning protection from the the be required previous Fifth to waiver Amendment testify of as to counsel, privilege. his without The State asserts that, under current Wisconsin law, it is acceptable to examine the defendant of at a hearing counsel was to establish the intelligent, knowing, if and defendant's waiver voluntary. Additionally, the State contends that the defendant cannot rely on Fifth Amendment protection, because a defendant such as Ernst has waived the privilege by putting into issue his or her lack of understanding regarding the waiver of counsel. ¶30 We agree with the State that Wisconsin law allows a defendant to be questioned at an evidentiary hearing concerning a collateral attack on the waiver of right to counsel. In Klessig, we held that at an evidentiary hearing "the State is required to prove by clear and convincing evidence that [the defendant's] waiver of voluntary." Klessig, counsel 211 was knowing, Wis. 2d at 207. intelligent In doing and so, we adopted "an evidentiary hearing procedure for resolving invalid waiver of established counsel waivers." claims by this court that for is the similar to resolution the of procedure guilty Id. himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. 19 plea No. ¶31 In Bangert, this court regarding guilty plea waivers. established the 2003AP1728-CR procedure There, we held that when the defendant makes a prima facie showing that he or she "did not know or understand the information which should have been provided at the plea hearing, the burden will then shift to the state to show by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant's plea was knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently entered. . . ."9 Bangert, 131 Wis. 2d at 274. To do so, the State "may then utilize any evidence which substantiates that the plea was knowingly and voluntarily made." Id. at 274-75. Specifically, the court held: In essence, the state will be required to show that the defendant in fact possessed the constitutionally required understanding and knowledge which the defendant alleges the inadequate plea colloquy failed to afford him. The state may examine the defendant or defendant's counsel to shed light on the defendant's understanding or knowledge of information necessary for him to enter a voluntary and intelligent plea. Id. at 275 (citations omitted). We adopt the same procedure as Bangert and Klessig outlined, for situations such as the one here involving a collateral attack, if a prima facie case has 9 We decline to apply a "presumption against waiver" when the burden shifts to the State in situations involving collateral attacks. We agree with the State that there is no reason to presume the defendant did not properly waive his right to counsel in a collateral attack. To do so, would "ignore another presumption deeply rooted in our jurisprudence: the 'presumption of regularity' that attaches to final judgments." Parke v. Raley, 506 U.S. 20, 29 (1992) (citing Johnson v. Zerbst, 304 U.S. 458, 464 (1938)). 20 No. been shown.10 2003AP1728-CR We find no reason to apply a different procedure in this circumstance than that which would apply on a direct attack against a prior conviction.11 ¶32 her Fifth We next address a defendant's ability to raise his or Amendment evidentiary hearing. privilege against testifying in an Ernst alleges that if he were made to testify at an evidentiary hearing on a collateral attack, the 10 This procedure is also similar to that adopted for Goodchild hearings in Wisconsin. In State ex rel. Goodchild v. Burke, 27 Wis. 2d 244, 133 N.W.2d 753 (1965), this court adopted a procedure which provides for a separate hearing during which the circuit court judge is to determine whether a statement was voluntarily made and, thus, admissible at trial. In such a proceeding: "The state shall have the burden of proving voluntariness beyond a reasonable doubt. At this hearing the defendant may take the stand and testify for the limited purpose of making a record of his version of the facts and circumstances under which the confession was obtained." Id. at 264-65 (footnote omitted). If the State were not allowed to call the defendant in such a hearing, the court would have the impossible task of deciding the voluntariness of a confession without the defendant's recitation of his or her version of the circumstances behind the confession. Similarly, in a situation involving a collateral attack, the State must be able to call the defendant to determine whether his or her waiver of counsel was a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary one. 11 Although Ernst argues that we should apply different procedures on a direct attack than we do on a collateral attack, we find this argument to be unpersuasive. Under a direct attack, like in Klessig, Ernst concedes that a defendant could be compelled to testify at an evidentiary hearing whether he or she knowingly waived the right to counsel. However, Ernst then alleges that a collateral attack situation is entirely different than a direct attack and, thus, requires different procedures. We conclude that such a ruling would make the State's burden in a collateral attack more difficult than in a direct attack, and we find no reason for doing so. 21 No. court would against be impinging upon self-incrimination. his The 2003AP1728-CR Fifth Amendment privilege State contends that the defendant is precluded from asserting his or her Fifth Amendment privilege against testifying, because the privilege has been waived. ¶33 We agree with the State that a defendant, by putting into issue his or her lack of knowledge regarding the waiver of counsel, has waived the privilege against testifying. To make a prima facie showing a defendant is required to point to facts that demonstrate that he or she did not knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waive his or her constitutional right to counsel. An affidavit from the defendant setting forth such facts would be necessary, in order to establish a prima facie case. Accordingly, once a defendant successfully makes a prima facie showing, the defendant cannot avoid testifying about the circumstances concerning the waiver when the State decides to challenge defendant can the claim "testify that the voluntarily waiver about was a not valid. subject and No then invoke the privilege against self-incrimination when questioned about the details." Mitchell v. United States, 526 U.S. 314, 321 (1999) (citation omitted).12 12 In Mitchell v. United States, 526 U.S. 314 (1999), the Supreme Court held that a defendant's guilty plea did not waive his or her right to remain silent at sentencing proceedings. Specifically, the court held: "[t]he Fifth Amendment by its terms prevents a person from being 'compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against herself.' To maintain that sentencing proceedings are not part of 'any criminal case' is contrary to the law and to common sense." Id. at 327 (citation omitted). 22 No. ¶34 Similar problems arise testifying at a criminal trial. in regard to 2003AP1728-CR a defendant In Brown v. United States, 356 U.S. 148 (1958), the United States Supreme Court held that a defendant has no right to set forth facts in his favor during a direct examination, examination. without See id. at 155. laying himself open to cross- We find language here relevant to our case: Such a witness has the choice, after weighing the advantage of the privilege against self-incrimination against the advantage of putting forward his version of the facts and his reliability as a witness, not to testify at all. He cannot reasonably claim that the Fifth Amendment gives him not only this choice but, if he elects to testify, an immunity from crossexamination on the matters he has himself put in dispute. It would make of the Fifth Amendment not only a humane safeguard against judicially coerced self-disclosure but a positive invitation to mutilate the truth a party offers to tell. Id. at 155-56. A similar scenario arose before us in Neely v. State, 97 Wis. 2d 38, 292 N.W.2d 859 (1980). In that case, the defendant took the stand in his own defense, but refused to Certainly Mitchell should not be extended to situations involving collateral attacks. The Supreme Court's holding was limited to the defendant's right to remain silent with respect to the specific facts of the offense in question. In this case, the State wants to ask Ernst about whether his waiver of right to counsel, in a previous proceeding, was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. The State would not make any inquiry regarding the specific facts involved in his previous OWI conviction. We also note that other courts have declined to extend Mitchell to situations involving sentence enhancements, where there is no inquiry about the factual details of the underlying crime. See State v. Blunt, 71 P.3d 657, 662 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). 23 No. 2003AP1728-CR answer questions on cross-examination on the grounds that his answers might be incriminating. This court held, in denying the defendant's the request to invoke Fifth Amendment, "that a defendant who takes the stand in his own behalf cannot then claim the reasonably privilege related examination. against to the cross-examination subject matter on of matters his See id. at 45 (citations omitted). direct Therefore, just as we will not allow a defendant to take the stand in his or her own behalf and then claim his or her Fifth Amendment privilege on matters related to the subject matter of the direct examination, we will not allow a defendant to claim in an affidavit necessary to establish a prima facie case, in support of his or her motion, a lack of a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of counsel, and then raise the privilege upon the State's attempt to refute that claim. ¶35 Finally, if the defendant refuses to testify under these circumstances, a circuit court would be free to draw the reasonable inference that the State has satisfied its burden, and that the waiver of counsel was a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary one. The defendant may not "pick and choose what aspects of a particular subject to discuss without casting doubt on the trustworthiness of the statements and diminishing the integrity of the factual inquiry." ¶36 Mitchell, 526 U.S. at 322. While we recognize that courts in criminal proceedings have generally not inferred guilt from a defendant's silence, see Griffin circumstance, v. California, where the 380 state's 24 U.S. ability 609 to (1965), meet in its this burden No. 2003AP1728-CR relies on the defendant's testimony, we conclude that a refusal of the defendant to testify would allow the circuit court reasonably to infer that the state has met its burden of showing a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of counsel by the defendant. Such a determination is very different than inferring guilt based on the silence of a defendant. VI ¶37 In sum, we conclude, based on our superintending and administrative authority, that the requirements this court imposed in Klessig, regarding waiver of counsel, survive the United States Supreme Court's decision in Iowa v. Tovar. Second, we hold that an alleged violation of the requirements of Klessig can form the basis of a collateral attack, as long as the defendant makes a prima facie showing, pointing to facts that demonstrate that he or she did not knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waive his or her constitutional right to counsel. Third, we conclude that when the defendant successfully makes a prima facie showing, the burden to prove that the defendant validly waived his or her right to counsel shifts to the State. Fourth, we hold that the State may call and from elicit testimony the defendant at an evidentiary hearing in an attempt to meet its burden and, in turn, the defendant may not raise his or her Fifth Amendment privilege against testifying. Finally, we conclude that the defendant's refusal to testify under these circumstances allows a circuit court reasonably to infer that 25 the State has satisfied its No. 2003AP1728-CR burden of showing a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of the right to counsel. By the Court. The order of the circuit court is reversed, and the cause is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. 26 No. ¶38 SHIRLEY S. ABRAHAMSON, C.J. 2003AP1728-CR.ssa (concurring). For a discussion of the nature of the supreme court's superintending authority over all courts, see Part I of my concurrence in State v. Jerrell C.J., 2005 WI 105, ___ Wis. 2d ___, ___ N.W.2d ___, joined by Justices Bradley, Crooks, and Butler. 1 No. 2003AP1728-CR.dtp ¶39 DAVID T. PROSSER, J. In (concurring). State v. Klessig, 211 Wis. 2d 194, 564 N.W.2d 716 (1997), this court was asked to determine whether defendant Klessig had knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waived his Sixth Amendment right to counsel before he represented himself in a felony jury trial. The court noted that the trial court had not engaged the defendant in an on-the-record colloquy to assess his waiver, and it held that "the record is insufficient to determine whether Klessig's waiver voluntary." of Klessig, counsel 211 was knowing, Wis. 2d at 197. intelligent To remedy and this deficiency, the court remanded the case to the circuit court for an evidentiary hearing at which the State would be required to prove by clear and convincing evidence that Klessig's waiver of counsel was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. ¶40 Id. at 207. As part of the opinion, the court mandated "the use of a colloquy in every case where a defendant seeks to proceed pro se [in order] to prove knowing and voluntary waiver of the right to counsel." Id. at 206. It then set forth the following requirements: To prove such a valid waiver of counsel, the circuit court must conduct a colloquy designed to ensure that the defendant: (1) made a deliberate choice to proceed without counsel, (2) was aware of the difficulties and disadvantages of selfrepresentation, (3) was aware of the seriousness of the charge or charges against him, and (4) was aware of the general range of penalties that could have been Pickens [v. State], 96 imposed on him. See Wis. 2d [549,] 563-64[, 292 Wis. 2d 601 (1980)]. If the circuit court fails to conduct such a colloquy, a reviewing court may not find, based on the record, that there was a valid waiver of counsel. 1 No. 2003AP1728-CR.dtp When an adequate colloquy is not conducted, and the defendant makes a motion for a new trial or other postconviction relief from the circuit court's judgment, the circuit court must hold an evidentiary hearing on whether the waiver of the right to counsel was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary. Id. at 206-07 (emphasis added). ¶41 The court did not identify the source of its authority to mandate the above-described colloquy. It simply explained that [c]onducting such an examination of the defendant is the clearest and most efficient means of insuring that the defendant has validly waived his right to the assistance of counsel, and of preserving and documenting that valid waiver for purposes of appeal and postconviction motions. [A] properly conducted colloquy serves the dual purposes of ensuring that a defendant is not deprived of his constitutional rights and of efficiently guarding our scarce judicial resources. We hope that our reaffirmation of the importance of such a colloquy will encourage the circuit courts to continue their vigilance in employing such examinations. Id. at 206. ¶42 The Klessig decision was understandable and rational, and I have no trouble affirming the substance of it in this case, notwithstanding the Supreme Tovar, 541 U.S. 77 (2004). this court's administrative ruling in Iowa v. I do have trouble, however, with utilization authority" Court's in of its Article "superintending VII, Section 3 of and the Wisconsin Constitution as a basis for its action. ¶43 I expressed my concern about the misapplication of Article VII, Section 3 in State v. Jerrell C.J., 2005 WI 105, ___ Wis. 2d ___, ___ N.W.2d ___ part, dissenting in part). (Prosser, J., concurring in The present case represents at least 2 No. 2003AP1728-CR.dtp the second time this term superintending authority. ¶44 My concern that the court has invoked this See Jerrell. about provision is threefold. the court's new reliance on this First, the superintending authority of the supreme court over all courts is intended to give this court broad power to protect the legal rights of a litigant when the ordinary course of litigation, such as review, is inadequate. The authority was never intended as carte blanche power to mandate "rules" of general application for the bench and bar through the vehicle of individual cases. This is the gist of my Jerrell dissent. ¶45 Second, authority in the the use manner of it addictive and lead to abuse. the now is court's being superintending used can become Over and over our opinions repeat the mantra that our superintending authority is "unlimited in extent" though or "limited only there were no by the bounds necessities to the of court's justice," as power do to "justice." This sort of nonsense needs to be exposed before this does court something that will provoke a crisis. By contrast, our court does have power to promulgate judicial rules through an orderly open process. SCR Ch. 98. This power is both inherent and delegated, but it is not unlimited. authority as See Wis. Stat. § 751.12 and Our invocation of the court's superintending justification to make rules in opinions is an indication that we don't think we have traditional rulemaking power over a particular subject or we are unwilling to take the time to go through the proscribed rulemaking process. 3 No. 2003AP1728-CR.dtp ¶46 Third, the court does not necessarily do a good job when it legislates from the bench. We will see this, in time, in the Jerrell rule because the court failed to answer many important questions about its scope. We see it in this case as we attempt to apply the "rule" from Klessig. ¶47 Klessig involved a direct appeal. The court said: "When an adequate colloquy is not conducted, and the defendant makes a motion for a new trial or other postconviction relief from the circuit court's judgment, the circuit court must hold an evidentiary hearing on whether the waiver of the right to counsel was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary." Wis. 2d at 206-07 (emphasis added). not draw any distinction between Klessig, 211 The Klessig admonition did a direct appeal and a collateral attack, but it would have been fine if the court had not portrayed it as a "rule" for everyone. Today we are forced to "amend" that "rule" to avoid the result we dictated in the previous mandate. ¶48 The court should confine itself to the adoption of real "rules" through proper procedures and the pronouncement of aspirational explained, Benchbook standards faithfully for judges. and guidelines applied, and The that quickly latter course are persuasively included in would avoid the a separation of powers issue and allow judges some latitude in the way they manage the courts and protect constitutional rights. ¶49 I therefore respectfully concur. 4 statutory and No. ¶50 JON P. WILCOX, J. 2003AP1728-CR.jpw (concurring in part, dissenting in I agree with the majority opinion that this court should part). continue to require the waiver of counsel colloquy set forth in State v. Klessig, 211 Wis. 2d 194, 206, 564 N.W.2d 716 (1997). Majority op., ¶2. As the court recognized in Klessig, such a colloquy serves to conserve judicial resources on appeal and ensures that a valid waiver of counsel is taken in a clear and efficient manner. ¶51 Klessig, 211 Wis. 2d at 206. I also agree with the majority's decision to do so utilizing this authority in court's this superintending instance for two and administrative reasons. First, as the majority correctly indicates, majority op., ¶18, Klessig itself can be read as imposing the colloquy requirement as a court-made procedural mandating rule. the Klessig, colloquy 211 Wis. 2d at requirement as a 206. matter Second, of state constitutional law would be inconsistent with Klessig. As we stated thus, in Klessig, interpretation of "[t]he the right scope, to extent, assistance and, of counsel is identical under the Wisconsin Constitution and the United States Constitution." Id. at 202-03 (emphasis added). See also Jones v. State, 63 Wis. 2d 97, 105, 216 N.W.2d 224 (1974)(accord). In Iowa v. Tovar, 541 U.S. 77, 91-92 (2004), the United States Supreme Court held that one of the colloquy requirements we set forth in Klessig is not mandated by the federal constitution. ¶52 that the One of the requirements we set forth in Klessig was defendant be informed 1 of the "difficulties and No. disadvantages Wis. 2d at of 2003AP1728-CR.jpw self-representation[.]" 206. In Tovar, the Klessig, Supreme Court held 211 that a strikingly similar requirement imposed by the Iowa Supreme Court was not compelled by the Sixth Amendment. 91-92. Tovar, 541 U.S. at As such a requirement is not compelled by the federal constitution and interpretation because of the "[t]he right scope, to extent, assistance of and, thus, counsel is identical under the Wisconsin Constitution and the United States Constitution[,]" Klessig, 211 Wis. 2d at 202-03, such a requirement cannot be mandated by the Wisconsin Constitution. While some of the requirements we set forth in Klessig may be constitutionally necessary before a defendant can validly waive his right to counsel,13 clearly a defendant is not constitutionally entitled, as part of the right to counsel, to be warned about the dangers and disadvantages of self- representation. ¶53 As such, I disagree with the majority's conclusion that a violation of Klessig in this instance may form the basis of a collateral attack on Ernst's guilty plea. ¶2. Majority op., Ernst argues he is entitled to a plea withdrawal because he "was not adequately instructed on disadvantages of proceeding pro se." 13 the difficulties and Majority op., ¶6. As Compare State v. Klessig, 211 Wis. 2d 194, 206, 564 N.W.2d 716 (1997)("the circuit court must conduct a colloquy designed to ensure that the defendant: (1) made a deliberate choice to proceed without counsel[.]") with Iowa v. Tovar, 541 U.S. 77, 88 (2004)("We have described a waiver of counsel as intelligent when the defendant 'knows what he is doing and his choice is made with eyes open.'")(quoting Adams v. United States, 317 U.S. 269, 279 (1942)). 2 No. discussed, in light of Tovar, such an 2003AP1728-CR.jpw instruction is not required under either the federal or state constitution. ¶54 618 In State v. Hahn, 2000 WI 118, ¶4, 238 Wis. 2d 889, N.W.2d 528, collaterally this court challenge a held prior that state a defendant conviction cannot unless the challenge is based on "a violation of the constitutional right to a lawyer" in the previous proceeding. "In an enhanced sentence proceeding predicated on a prior conviction, the U.S. Constitution requires a trial court to consider an offender's allegations that the prior conviction is invalid only when the challenge to the prior conviction is based on the denial of the offender's constitutional right to a lawyer." ¶55 not be Id., ¶17. Thus, logically, if a defendant pleading guilty need informed of the dangers and disadvantages of self- representation as part of the constitutional guarantee of the right to counsel, and if the only legitimate basis for collaterally attacking a prior conviction is the denial of the constitutional right to counsel, then the failure of the circuit court to warn the defendant as to the dangers and disadvantages of proceeding pro se cannot form the basis for a collateral attack on a prior conviction. ¶56 may be As noted previously, some of the Klessig requirements constitutionally necessary, and to that extent, a violation of Klessig could, in some instances, form the basis of a collateral attack on a prior conviction. opinion correctly indicates: As the majority "Klessig can form the basis of a collateral attack, as long as the defendant makes a prima facie 3 No. 2003AP1728-CR.jpw showing, pointing to facts that demonstrate that he or she did not knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waive his or her constitutional right to counsel." Majority op., ¶2. However, under Tovar, being informed of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation is not part of the constitutional right to counsel. While failure to provide this particular Klessig warning may form the basis for a reversal on direct appeal, see Klessig, 211 Wis. 2d at 206, it cannot, under Tovar and Hahn, form the basis of a collateral attack. Thus, I dissent from Part IV of the majority opinion to the extent it suggests that the failure of the circuit court to inform a defendant of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation may form the basis of a collateral attack on his conviction or has any relevance in determining whether the defendant was denied the constitutional right to counsel. ¶57 I do, however, fully join Part V of the majority opinion, addressing the proper procedures for a circuit court to follow once the defendant has made a proper prima facie showing of denial of the right to counsel. 4 No. 1 2003AP1728-CR.jpw
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