People v. Vera

Opinion

BROWN, J.

Penal Code section 667.5, subdivision (b) provides that the sentence imposed on any person convicted of a felony must be enhanced by *272one year for each prior prison term alleged and proven by the prosecution. A criminal defendant has the statutory right to have a jury determine the truth of an allegation that the accused suffered a prior felony conviction and prison term. (Pen. Code, §§ 1025, 1158; all further statutory references are to this code; People v. Casarez (1981) 124 Cal.App.3d 641, 646-647 [177 Cal.Rptr. 451]; see, e.g., People v. Arias (1996) 13 Cal.4th 92, 173-174…