State v. Sheppard

269 Mont. 58

• Court: Montana Supreme Court
• Decided: August 19, 1994
• Docket: NO. 8938
• Status: Published

Opinion

On January 23,1990, the Defendant was sentenced to twenty (20) years with five (5) years suspended for Sexual Intercourse Without Consent; plus ten (10) years as a Persistent Felony Offender with all ten (10) years suspended, plus conditions. Credit is given for 151 days time served.

On August 19, 1994, 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 proceeded Pro Se. 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 to increase it if such is possible. 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.

After careful consideration, it is the unanimous decision of the Sentence Review Division that the sentence will remain the same as originally imposed.

The reason for the decision is the sentence imposed by the District Court is presumed correct pursuant to Section 46-18-904(3), MCA. The Division finds that the reasons advanced for modification are insufficient to deem inadequate or excessive as required to overcome the presumption per Rule 17 of the Rules of the Sentence Review Division of the Montana Supreme Court.

Hon. G. Todd Baugh, Chairman, Hon. John Warner and Hon. Ed McLean, Members.

The Sentence Review Board wishes to thank Lawrence Sheppard for representing himself in this matter.