What is the proper procedure for disposing of a term barred by section 654?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Nevels, A141281 (Cal. App. 2015):

The court erred. The proper procedure for disposing of a term barred by section 654 is to impose it and then stay the term. (See People v. Dominguez (1995) 38 Cal.App.4th 410, 420.) The same procedure applies to enhancements. (People v. Vega (2013) 214 Cal.App.4th 1387, 1395-1396; Cal. Rules of Court, rule 4.447.)

Nevels argues that we should remand the matter to the trial court for resentencing on the stayed enhancements. (See People v. Crabtree (2009) 169 Cal.App.4th 1293, 1327.) In response, the People state that, in order "to avoid an unnecessary remand," the People would have no objection to this court imposing the midterms for the great bodily injury enhancements, imposing the one-year term for the dangerous weapon enhancements, and then staying imposition of the terms.

We would be inclined to agree with the People's approach if the dispute were limited to the one-year dangerous weapon enhancements ( 12022, subd. (b)(1)), because it would be pointless to remand the matter simply to require the trial court to impose and then stay a specified term where the court has no discretion in setting the term. In such a case, a reviewing court may simply impose and then stay the specified term. (See People v. Vega, supra, 214 Cal.App.4th at p. 1397.) Here, however, the dispute is not limited to

Page 11

Other Questions


What is the effect of section 31103 of the California Code of Civil Procedure on the interpretation of the Section 31103 section? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for Section 654 of the California Criminal Code when a defendant is found guilty of a breach of section 654 or section 744 of the Code of Civil Procedure? (California, United States of America)
Does Section 1054(1) of the California Civil Code of Civil Procedure, section 1054 et. seq. and section 854 of the Criminal Code, allow defense counsel to conduct their investigation and prepare for trial? (California, United States of America)
Is section 288.2 of the California Code of Criminal Procedure relevant to Section 784.7 of the Code of Civil Procedure? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant be found to have committed a single physical act for purposes of section 654 of the California Criminal Code, Section 215 of the Code of Civil Procedure, Section 422 of the Criminal Code for carjacking? (California, United States of America)
Is a bar disqualification rule issued by the California Bar Association a procedural weapon in disqualification cases? (California, United States of America)
What is the difference between section 1111 of the California Code of Civil Procedure and the wording of Section 1111, which provides that "a conviction cannot be had upon the testimony of an accomplice unless it be corroborated by such other evidence"? (California, United States of America)
What is the proper procedure to stay execution of a sentence under section 654 of the California Criminal Code? (California, United States of America)
Is there an exception to section 654 of section 667.6 of the California Code of Civil Procedure to allow for multiple sentences for sex crimes committed during an indivisible transaction? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant be convicted of violating section 148(a)(1) of the California Civil Code of Civil Procedure if the jury found a completed violation of section 148 prior to the officers' use of excessive force? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.