People v. Arnold
720 N.W.2d 740
Mich.
2006
Check Treatment

*1 Order Michigan Supreme Court

Lansing, Michigan September 14, 2006 Clifford W. Taylor,

Chief Justice 130888 & (28) Michael F. Cavanagh

Elizabeth A. Weaver Marilyn Kelly Maura D. Corrigan Robert P. Young, Jr. PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, Stephen J. Markman, Plaintiff-Appellee, Justices v SC: 130888

COA: 266906 Tuscola CC: 04-009004-FH 04-009005-FH MICHAEL JEFFREY ARNOLD,

Defendant-Appellant. _________________________________________/

On order of the Court, the motion for immediate consideration is GRANTED. The application for leave to appeal the February 27, 2006 order of the Court of Appeals is considered and, pursuant to MCR 7.302(G)(1), in lieu of granting leave to appeal, we REMAND this case to the Tuscola Circuit Court for resentencing. A defendant facing incarceration has the right to counsel at all critical stages of the criminal process. People v Williams , 470 Mich 634, 641 (2004). Sentencing is a critical stage. People v Pubrat , 451 Mich 589, 594 (1996). The complete denial of counsel at a critical stage of a criminal proceeding, as occurred in this case, is structural error requiring automatic reversal. See Gideon v Wainwright , 372 US 335, 344-345; 83 S Ct 792; 9 L Ed 2d 799 (1963); People v Duncan , 462 Mich 47, 51-52 (2000).

We do not retain jurisdiction.

I, Corbin R. Davis, Clerk of the Michigan Supreme Court, certify that the foregoing is a true and complete copy of the order entered at the direction of the Court. September 14, 2006 _________________________________________ s0907 Clerk