State v. Hopkins

NEELY, Justice:

Brian Hopkins appeals his conviction for shoplifting, third offense and the fines imposed as part of his sentence. On appeal, Mr. Hopkins argues that his conviction should be reversed because the circuit court improperly used his prior uncounseled shoplifting convictions to enhance his sentence. Because a sentencing court is not prohibited from considering a defendant’s previous valid uncounseled misdemeanor convictions in sentencing him for a subsequent offense, we affirm his conviction and the fines imposed as part of his sentence.

On 26 October 1992, Mr. Hopkins allegedly…