State v. Valcourt

269 Mont. 33

• Court: Montana Supreme Court
• Decided: March 25, 1994
• Docket: NO. ADC 91-131
• Status: Published

Opinion

On December 4,1991, the Defendant was sentenced to 40 years at Montana State Prison for COUNT II: Aggravated Burglary, a Felony. Defendant is denied any eligibility for parole.

On March 25, 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 was represented by Shane Reeley, Legal Intern from the Montana Defender Project. The state furnished a letter in opposition to a sentence reduction, but was not present.

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 shall 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. Ted Lympus, Members.

The Sentence Review Board wishes to thank Shane Reeley, Legal Intern from the Montana Defender Project for his assistance to the defendant and to this Court.