State v. Andrews

359 Mont. 1

• Court: Montana Supreme Court
• Decided: February 4, 2010
• Docket: CAUSE NO. DC-08-598
• Status: Published

Opinion

On October 13, 2009, the defendant was sentenced to fifteen (15) years in the Montana State Prison, with ten (10) years suspended, for violation of the conditions of a deferred sentence for the offense of Arson, a felony.

On February 4, 2010, the defendant’s application for review of that sentence was heard by the Sentence Review Division of the Montana Supreme Court.

The defendant was present and was represented by Bert Certain. Counsel for the defendant at the District Court level, Paulette Ferguson, also appeared on behalf of the defendant via teleconference. The state was not represented.

Before hearing the application, the defendant was advised that the Sentence Review Division has the authority not only to reduce the sentence or affirm it, but also increase it. The defendant was further advised that there is no appeal from a decision of the Sentence Review Division. The defendant acknowledged that he understood this and stated that he wished to proceed.

Rule 17 of the Rules of the Sentence Review Division of the Supreme Court of Montana provides that “the sentence imposed by the District Court is presumed correct, and the sentence will not be reduced or increased unless it is deemed clearly inadequate or excessive.” (§46-18-904(3), MCA).

The Division finds that the reasons advanced for modification are insufficient to hold that the sentence imposed by the District Court is inadequate or excessive.

Therefore, it is the unanimous decision of the Sentence Review Division that the sentence shall be affirmed.

Done in open Court this 4th day of February, 2010.

DATED this 23rd day of February, 2010.

Chairperson, Hon. Blair Jones, Member, Hon. Richard Simonton and Member, Hon. Ray Dayton.