People v. Clabin

• Decision Date: 13 July 1981
• Docket Number: Docket No. 65138
• Citation: 307 N.W.2d 682,411 Mich. 472
• Parties: PEOPLE of the State of Michigan, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Allen CLABIN, Defendant-Appellant. 411 Mich. 472, 307 N.W.2d 682
• Court: Michigan Supreme Court

Page 682

307 N.W.2d 682

PEOPLE of the State of Michigan, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Allen CLABIN, Defendant-Appellant.

Docket No. 65138.

411 Mich. 472, 307 N.W.2d 682

Supreme Court of Michigan.

July 13, 1981.

Frank J. Kelley, Atty. Gen., Robert A. Derengoski, Sol. Gen., Edward J. Grant, Pros. Atty., and John L. Wildeboer, Asst. Pros. Atty., Saline, for the people.

State Appellate Defender by P. E. Bennett, Detroit, for defendant-appellant.

PER CURIAM.

The defendant, while an inmate in prison, stabbed another prisoner. After plea bargaining, he pled guilty to a charge of possessing a weapon while an inmate contrary to M.C.L. § 800.283; M.S.A. § 28.1623. On appeal he argues that his conviction is invalid because the language of M.C.L. § 800.283; M.S.A. § 28.1623 which has applicability to this case had never been properly re- enacted after this Court declared it unconstitutional in People v. Stanton, 400 Mich. 192, 253 N.W.2d 650 (1977). We agree with the defendant and we reverse his conviction.

I

In People v. Stanton, we declared that the 1972 amendment of 1909 P.A. 17 was unconstitutional and therefore void. The amendment provided:

"A convict without authorization, shall not have on his person or under his control or in his possession any weapon or other implement which may be used to injure any convict or other person, or to assist any convict to escape from imprisonment." 1972 P.A. 105.

The basis for our decision in People v. Stanton was our conclusion that the Legislature, in enacting the amendment, had violated the title-object limitation in Const. 1963, art. 4, § 24 ¹ because the title of 1909 P.A. 17 did not embrace the scope of the 1972 amendment and the amendment did not alter the act's title.

In 1977 P.A. 164, the Legislature sought to cure this defect by amending the title of 1909 P.A. 17 to include the following language: "to prohibit the control or possession by a convict of all weapons or other implements which may be used to injure any convict or person or in assisting any convict to escape from punishment". However, the Legislature did not re-enact the 1972 amendment.

II

The defendant argued in the Court of Appeals that his conviction was invalid because the 1972 amendment, rendered void by this Court's decision in People v. Stanton, was never re-enacted. The defendant further contended that the Legislature's attempted re-enactment by amending only the title violated Const. 1963, art. 4, § 25 which provides:

"No law shall be revised, altered or amended by reference to its title only. The section or sections of the act altered or amended shall be re-enacted and published at length."

The Court of Appeals rejected the defendant's contentions. People v. Clabin, 97 Mich.App. 340, 294 N.W.2d 266 (1980). The Court reasoned:

"We are satisfied with the constitutionality of the method utilized by the Legislature to amend the statute's title. A statutory title is not considered part of the law itself, having no inherent legal effect beyond that of summarizing the law. Brooks v. Hydorn, 76 Mich. 273, 280-281, 42 N.W. 1122 (1889). See Doe v. Oettle, 97 Mich.App. 183, 293 N.W.2d 760 (1980). Thus, in the instant case, it cannot be said that there was any amendment of the law by reference to the title. There was only an amendment of the title by both reference to and publication of the title. The Legislature's full statement of the amended title adequately complied with § 25's requirement of reenactment and publication.

"We are also assured of the efficacy of the instant statute. If the Legislature defectively exercises its legislative powers, it may subsequently cure its errors through amendment. The amended laws are considered valid for any future application. See generally People ex rel. Bristol v. Board of Supervisors of Ingham County, 20 Mich. 95 (1870); Briggs v. Campbell, Wyant & Cannon Foundry Co., 2 Mich.App. 204, 219, 139 N.W.2d 336 (1966).

"This general rule allowing correction of the law is equally applicable to the correction of titles. 'Where the original title is defective, the Legislature has the inherent power to cure the defect by amending the title.' Kriger v. South Oakland County Mutual Aid Pact, 49 Mich.App. 7, 15, 211 N.W.2d 228 (1973), rev'd on other grounds, 399 Mich. 835, 250 N.W.2d 67 (1977). The Legislature need not reenact and publish the amended act in its entirety. As long as it is clear which act the Legislature is referring to, only the affected statutory portions need be reenacted and published. See Midland Twp. v. State Boundary Comm., 401 Mich. 641, 662-663, 259 N.W.2d 326 (1977); Surtman v. Secretary of State, 309 Mich. 270, 276, 15 N.W.2d 471 (1944); People v. Shuler, 136 Mich. 161, 98 N.W. 986 (1904).

"While this method of legislating may seem confusing or appear lazy, it is an acceptable method of updating the law. See Midland Twp., supra. Interested parties should read the multiple documents together so as to constitute a constitutional enactment. Midland Twp, supra. The keystone in all cases is notice. When a portion of a statute is declared ineffectual, it is not immediately erased from the books or from memory. If the Legislature acts promptly to correct the defective section, no uncertainty about the statute's content can arise. When there is timely action, notice can never become a real issue.

"In Kriger, supra, the Supreme Court had earlier voided an act because its title did not indicate the scope of one of its sections, i. e., a violation of the title-object rule. Const. 1963, art. 4, § 24. The Court of Appeals, in an opinion reversed on other grounds by the Supreme Court, upheld the title amendment subsequently passed by the Legislature to remedy the deficiency.

" 'In this case, the Legislature in the amendatory act's title set out its intent to amend the title and certain sections of 1964 P.A. 170, providing notice to the public and the Legislature, as the rule intends. They proceeded to act in accord with their expressed purpose in the body of the act. Such a legislative procedure conforms to the constitutional mandate of art. 4, § 24. While the Court lacks the power to expand or contract legislative titles or provisions, this is precisely the power conferred on the Legislature by the Constitution.

" 'The title here expressed the purpose and scope of the enactment; to amend the title and certain sections of 1964 P.A. 170. The enactment was within the purpose and scope expressed in the title. It was proper to expect that the body of the act would reflect the title. Const. 1963, art. 4, § 24, was not violated.' Kriger, supra, 49 Mich.App. 15, 211 N.W.2d 228.

"In the instant case, we believe that the Legislature similarly succeeded in reviving the 1972 amendment through its title amendment in 1977. The two documents when read together form a constitutionally permissible law."

III

When this Court declared the 1972 amendment of 1909 P.A. 17 to be unconstitutional, the amendment was rendered void and ceased to be of any effect. While the reason for this Court's decision was that the title of 1909 P.A. 17 was deficient, it was the law as embodied in the 1972 amendment which was voided, and not the title of the act.

Amendment of the title of an act, after a declaration of unconstitutionality of a portion of the act itself, no matter what the reason for...