Smith v. People

After the defendant, Shannon Smith, entered a plea of guilty to one count of second degree assault, the trial court imposed an eight-year sentence pursuant to section 18-3-203(2)(c), 8B C.R.S. (1986), which required that an enhanced sentence for violent crime be imposed. Defendant contends that a mandated imposition of an enhanced sentence violated his right to equal protection of the laws under the United States and Colorado Constitutions.

The court of appeals concluded it lacked jurisdiction to address defendant’s constitutional challenge and we granted certiorari to determine whether…