Court of Appeals of New Mexico
Decision Information
Chapter 30 - Criminal Offenses - cited by 5,978 documents
Chapter 31 - Criminal Procedure - cited by 3,785 documents
Citations - New Mexico Appellate Reports
Keller v. City of Albuquerque - cited by 94 documents
State v. McHorse - cited by 178 documents
Decision Content
STATE V. RUSSELL, 1980-NMCA-074, 94 N.M. 544, 612 P.2d 1355 (Ct. App. 1980)
STATE OF NEW MEXICO, Plaintiff-Appellee,
vs.
TOM MIX RUSSELL, Defendant-Appellant.
No. 4633
COURT OF APPEALS OF NEW MEXICO
1980-NMCA-074, 94 N.M. 544, 612 P.2d 1355
May 29, 1980
Appeal from the District Court of Bernalillo County, Cole, Judge
COUNSEL
JEFF BINGAMAN, Attorney General, MICHAEL E. SANCHEZ, Assistant Attorney General, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Attorneys for Appellee.
JOHN B. BIGELOW, Chief Public Defender, Santa Fe, New Mexico
SERAPIO L. JARAMILLO, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Attorneys for Appellant.
JUDGES
Hendley, J., wrote the opinion. WE CONCUR: Joe W. Wood, C.J., Mary C. Walters, J.
OPINION
{*545} HENDLEY, Judge.
{1} Convicted of commercial burglary contrary to § 30-16-3(B), N.M.S.A. 1978, and of being a habitual offender pursuant to § 31-18-17(B), N.M.S.A. 1978 (Supp. 1979), defendant appeals. He contends the trial court erred when it held that it had no discretion to suspend or defer the basic sentence imposed under § 31-18-15.1, N.M.S.A. 1978 (Supp. 1979), when it had increased the sentence by one year pursuant to § 31-18-17(B).
{2} We calendared this case for summary reversal and the State has filed a timely memorandum in opposition, contending that it was the legislative intent that no part of the basic sentence could be altered when it had been increased pursuant to § 31-18-17 (B). We disagree.
{3} Legislation is to be given effect as written. State v. McHorse, 85 N.M. 753, 517 P.2d 75 (Ct. App. 1973). Where there is an ambiguity, resort may be had to interpretation; but even then, intent is to be determined primarily from the language used. Keller v. City of Albuquerque, 85 N.M. 134, 509 P.2d 1329 (1973). Section 31-18-17(B) states that the basic sentence of a habitual offender "shall be increased by one year, and the sentence imposed by this subsection shall not be suspended or deferred." (Emphasis added.) The sentence imposed by subsection (B) is the additional one year. Compare § 31-18-16(A), N.M.S.A. 1978 (Supp. 1979), which states that for firearm enhancement, the basic sentence "shall be increased by one year, and the sentence imposed by this subsection shall be the first year served and shall not be suspended or deferred." Although it is a question which we do not decide, it would appear that the basic sentence in the firearm enhancement section can be suspended or deferred. We see no policy reason or glean any legislative intent to prohibit the altering of the basic sentence.
{4} We hold that § 31-18-17(B) only prohibits the suspending or deferring of the one year imposed by that section. The trial court erred when it held it had no discretion to suspend or defer the basic sentence imposed.
{5} The judgment of the trial court is affirmed. The cause is remanded for reconsideration of sentencing consistent with this opinion.
{6} IT IS SO ORDERED.
Wood, C.J., and Walters, J., concur.