delivered the opinion of the Court.
Plaintiff in error, hereinafter referred to as Gehl, entered a plea of
nolo contendere
to a charge of grand larceny. Another cоunt in the same information accused him of burglary but that count was dismissed. Upon entry of the plea of
nolo contendere
the district court suspended thе imposition of sentence and placed the defendant on probation for a period of three years. At all times involved in the foregoing Gehl was represented by counsel.
On May 10, 1966, Gehl filed a motion, under the provisions of Colo. R. Crim. P. 35(b), in which he asserted:
(1) That the trial court was without authority to impose a two to five year sentence, for the reason that such sentence extended beyond the period when thе three years probation would have expired;
(2) that “he was not brought before the court within ten days from the time the probаtion officer was informed of the so-called violation, as is prescribed by CRS ’63 39-16-9”; and
(3) that he “was not informed of his rights at the time of thе hearing for revocation of probation nor was he given the privilege of having Counsel, or the opportunity to makе a defense of any kind.”
A hearing was had on this motion and on May 20, 1966, it was denied.
We consider the points relied on by Gehl in the order above mentioned. With reference to point (1) we hold that the granting of probation is not the imposition of sentence nor its equivalent, and time served on probation need not be credited against a sentence imposed upon revocation. Undеr C.R.S. 1963, 39-16-6 (1), the court has the power, “* * * to suspend the imposition or execution of sentence for such period and upon suсh terms and conditions in conformity with this article as it may deem best.” Under C.R.S. 1963, 39-16-9(2), “In the event probation is revoked the court may imposе any sentence which might originally have been imposed.” The court therefore acted properly in initially suspending the imрosition of sentence and had full authority thereafter to impose a sentence within the minimum and maximum term provided by statute for the crime of grand larceny.
With reference to point (2) above, it is sufficient to say that C.R.S. 1963, 39-16-9(1) requires only that, after a suspected probationer is arrested by a probation officer, “* * * within ten days thereafter such officer shall complete his invеstigation,” and that if a violation is found, under C.R.S. 1963, 39-16-9(2), the judge of the court to which report is made, “* * * within fifteen days shall conduct a hearing * * *.” Thеre is no requirement in the law that a suspected probation violator must be brought before a court within ten days of the time the probation officer becomes aware of a violation. We hold that all time limitations in the statute were complied with.
Point (3) raises questions which require separate analysis. First, it is suggested that Gehl was given no information concerning “his rights at the time of the hearing for revocation of probation,” and that he was given no “opportunity to make a defense of any kind.” There is no merit to this argument.
The granting of probation is not a matter of right for a defendant. It is a matter of grace and suspends conditionally what otherwise would be a harsher decree.
Serra v. Cameron,
The question as to whether Gehl was entitled to an attorney at the time sentence was imposed presents a different problem. In
John Doe v. The People,
“* * * Rule 44, Colo. R. Crim. P. provides that in the case of an indigent defendant in a criminal proceeding, an attorney shall be assigned to represent him ‘at every stage of the trial court proceedings.’ Most certainly, then, Vigil wаs entitled to be represented by counsel on the date of his sentencing and there is no suggestion that his right in this regard is somehow lost because of his bond jumping proclivities. Nor is there anything in the record before us to indicate that Vigil in any manner waived his right to cоunsel.
“The imposition of sentence is certainly one stage of the proceedings before the trial court. Indeed, it is perhaps the most critical stage of the proceeding. * * *” In support of the foregoing we there cited Martin v. United States, 5 Cir.,
In the instant case the record does not show any waiver by Gehl of the right to be represented by an attorney at the time sеntence was passed upon him, and if he now insists on this right he is entitled to have the sentence vacated and a new one imposed at which time he should be represented by an attorney.
. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed in so far asJ revocation of probation is concerned, and the cause is remanded with directions to vacate the sentence heretofore imposed; to provide counsel for Gehl if he is unable to employ his own lawyer; and to enter a new sentencе giving credit thereon for time already served. It is provided, however, that if within twenty days from the receipt of this opinion by Gehl he shall file with the trial court an election to waive the resentencing procedure, and to accept the sentence originally imposed, then no further proceedings shall be had, and the original judgment shall stand.
