People v. Saunders

Opinion

GEORGE, J.

Numerous California penal statutes allow increased punishment to be imposed upon a defendant if the prosecution alleges and proves that the defendant has suffered one or more prior convictions. In People v. Bracamonte (1981) 119 Cal.App.3d 644, 654 [174 Cal.Rptr. 191], the Court of Appeal held that the defendant is entitled to have the determination of the truth of such allegations bifurcated from the jury trial of the currently charged offenses.

In the present case, we consider whether further proceedings to determine the truth of alleged prior convictions are barred if,…