People v. McCall, 82SA523

Decision Date25 April 1983
Docket NumberNo. 82SA523,82SA523
Citation662 P.2d 178
PartiesThe PEOPLE of the State of Colorado, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Timothy McCALL, Defendant-Appellant.
CourtColorado Supreme Court

J.D. MacFarlane, Atty. Gen., Charles B. Howe, Deputy Atty. Gen., Joel W. Cantrick, Sol. Gen., Laura E. Udis, Asst. Atty. Gen., Enforcement Section, Denver, for plaintiff-appellee.

David F. Vela, Colorado State Public Defender, Elizabeth A. Joyce, Deputy State Public Defender, Denver, for defendant-appellant.

NEIGHBORS, Justice.

The defendant appeals the judgment of the trial court denying him good-time credits for the period of his presentence confinement. We reverse and remand with directions.

I.

On or about July 3, 1980, the defendant was arrested and charged with first-degree murder committed on that date. 1 Bail was set at $150,000. On October 3, 1980, the trial court granted the defendant's motion to reduce bail. The defendant was released on October 8, 1980, upon posting a surety bond in the amount of $70,000. A jury found the defendant guilty of manslaughter on April 18, 1981. The defendant was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for a term of three years on July 16, 1981. The trial court gave the defendant credit for ninety days of presentence confinement. On May 11, 1982, the defendant filed a motion for post-conviction relief pursuant to Crim.P. 35(a) and (c), requesting good-time credits for the period of his presentence confinement. The trial court denied the motion on May 28, 1982.

II.

The defendant argues that the trial court's denial of good-time credits for presentence confinement violates his right to equal protection of the law. He also claims that the trial court did not comply with the provisions of Crim.P. 35(c)(3) when it denied his motion for post-conviction relief without making the required findings of fact and conclusions of law.

A.

In addition to his constitutional claim, the defendant contends that he is entitled to good-time credits for presentence confinement under section 17-22.5-101, C.R.S.1973 (1980 Supp. to 1978 Repl.Vol. 8). 2 Our recent decision in People v. Chavez, 659 P.2d 1381 (Colo.1983), is dispositive of the issues in this case. In People v. Chavez, supra, we held that under the statute a defendant is entitled to have the amount of presentence confinement credited against the term of his sentence for crimes committed on or after July 1, 1979. We further held that section 17-22.5-101 entitles the defendant to good-time credits for presentence confinement if he has substantially obeyed the rules and regulations of the facility in which he was confined. Therefore, the case must be remanded to the trial court.

B.

The defendant next argues that the trial court's summary denial of his motion for post-conviction relief did not comply with the requirements of Crim.P. 35(c)(3). The People confess error on this issue. We agree. Crim.P. 35(c)(3) provides that "[i]n all cases [involving a motion for post-conviction review], the court shall determine the issues and make findings of fact and conclusions of law with respect thereto." The record indicates that no hearing was held on the defendant's motion and no findings of fact or conclusions of law were entered. 3 Therefore, on remand the trial court is instructed to enter appropriate findings of fact and conclusions of law with respect to the defendant's motion for post-conviction relief.

III.

The ruling of the trial court is reversed. This case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with those outlined in People v. Chavez, supra.

2 Section 17-22.5-101, C.R.S.1973 (1980 Supp. to 1978 Repl.Vol. 8), provided:

"Good time. Each person sentenced for a crime committed on or after July 1, 1979, whose conduct indicates that he has substantially observed all of the rules and regulations of the...

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6 cases
  • Grenemyer v. Gunter
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Tenth Circuit
    • 29 Noviembre 1993
    ...the proposition that good-time credits are credited against the sentence as opposed to the period of incarceration. While People v. McCall, 662 P.2d 178 (Colo.1983), states that People v. Chavez, 659 P.2d 1381 (Colo.1983), held that "a defendant is entitled to have the amount of presentence......
  • People v. Breaman
    • United States
    • Colorado Supreme Court
    • 23 Junio 1997
    ...district court must make findings of fact and conclusions of law in every determination of a Crim. P. 35(c) motion. See People v. McCall, 662 P.2d 178, 179 (Colo.1983) (holding that trial court erred in failing to make findings of fact and conclusions of law with respect to defendant's moti......
  • People v. Roberts
    • United States
    • Colorado Court of Appeals
    • 5 Abril 2007
    ...A defendant is entitled to have the amount of presentence confinement credited against the term of his or her sentence. People v. McCall, 662 P.2d 178, 179 (Colo.1983)(citing People v. Chavez, 659 P.2d 1381 (Colo.1983)). In McCall, the trial court did not make factual findings or conclusion......
  • People v. Rael, 83CA0506
    • United States
    • Colorado Court of Appeals
    • 5 Abril 1984
    ...in a prior proceeding, the trial court may hold a hearing on the issue or dismiss the claim with appropriate findings. See People v. McCall, 662 P.2d 178 (Colo.1983). The order is affirmed insofar as it upheld the legality and propriety of the sentence. That part of the order denying a hear......
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