People v. Wade

Opinion

THAXTER, J.

We will hold here that a defendant charged with possession of a firearm after the conviction of prior specified misdemeanors (Pen. Code, 1 § 12021, subd. (c)(1)) (section 12021(c)(1)) may admit he has suffered one or more prior convictions within the meaning of that section and thereby withhold the nature, but not the fact, of the convictions from the jury. In this case, however, the court’s refusal to accept such an offered stipulation was harmless error.

Facts

On January 22,1995, Bakersfield Police Officer Brian Silvius investigated a disturbance at the apartment complex at…