People v. Courts

Defendant alleges on appeal that the sentence imposed as a result of his conviction for operating a motor vehicle without a certificate of registration in his possession, following a bench trial, was invalid to the extent that it exceeded the sentence that would have been imposed had the defendant pled guilty. The Court of Appeals affirmed his conviction, holding that the district court had power to individualize punishment even though the offense was covered by a schedule of fines. 70 Mich App 664; 247 NW2d 325 (1976). We disagree.

The parties have stipulated to the underlying facts of this…