C. Petersen v. Cpt. Bragg ( 2023 )

I ORIGINAL 01/17/2023
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
Case Number: OP 22-0752
OP 22-0752
1LED
CHEYENNE RAE DAWN PETERSEN, jps 17 2023
c.onwood
Bowen GIprme Court
Clef t4. of Su
Petitioner, State of Mo entane
v.
ORDER
SGT. BRADLEY BRAGG, Lewis &
Clark County Detention Center,
Respondent.
Cheyenne Rae Dawn Petersen has filed a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus,
asserting that her bail of $550,000 is excessive because "no one in [her] family could
possibly cover that arnount with cash or [collateral]." She also raises a secondary issue of
unequal treatment of women incarcerated in the Lewis and Clark County Detention Center,
alleging "[t]here's no woman/female trustee pod and there's no 'good' girl pod." Petersen
requests her immediate release.
We secured the register of actions for Petersen's current criminal cases. In October
2021, the Lewis and Clark County District Court revoked her sentence because of the
admitted allegations in the Report of Violations and committed Petersen to the Department
of Corrections (DOC) for a suspended, three-year term. In October 2022, the State filed a
second petition to revoke. The State also charged Petersen in a separate proceeding with
two counts of deliberate homicide and obstructing a peace officer or other public servant.
The total bond for the two cases is $550,000.
We conclude that Petersen has not established a claim for relief with this Court. A
trial court may impose conditions for a defendant's pretrial release that will reasonably
ensure the accused's appearance and the safety of the community. Sections 46-9-106(1),
108(1), MCA. In determining whether the defendant should be released or detained, the
court considers a range of factors, including "the nature and circumstances of the offense
charged[.]" Section 46-9-109(2)(a), MCA. This Court has determined that a district court
has the discretion to grant or deny release and bail as well to set conditions. Grafft v. Mont.
Fourth Judicial Dist. Ct., 2021 MT 201, ¶ 11, 405 Mont. 192, 492 P.3d 1213. It appears
from the register of actions that the Justice Court initially set the bail and bond conditions
in Petersen's case. She is represented by counsel, who may move for a bail reduction
hearing in the District Court if warranted.
Regarding Petersen's second claim, this Court cannot address the conditions of a
person's confinement—such as the detention center's alleged differential treatment of men
and women—in a habeas corpus proceeding, which concerns the cause of a person's
imprisonment or restraint. Gates v. Missoula Cnty. Comm frrs, 235 Mont. 261, 262, 766
P.2d 884, 884-85 (1988).
Petersen has not demonstrated illegal incarceration or detention. Section
46-22-101(1), MCA. She is not entitled to release. Petersen should refrain from filing
pleadings on her own behalf with this Court when she is represented by counsel. M. R.
App. P. 10(1)(c); State v. Samples, 2005 MT 210, ¶ 15, 328 Mont. 242, 119 P.3d 1191.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that Petersen's Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
is DENIED and DISMISSED.
The Clerk of the Supreme Court is directed to provide a copy of this Order to: the
Honorable Michael F. McMahon, District Court Judge; Angie Sparks, Clerk of District
Court, Lewis and Clark County, under Cause Nos. BDC-2020-411 and BDC-2022-502;
Kevin Downs and Joshua Nemeth, County Attorney's Office; Benjamin M. Darrow,
Defense Counsel; counsel of record, and Cheyenne Rae Dawn Petersen personally.
DATED this ay of January, 2023.
Chief Justice
2
I
9.1.xi 411.....
Justicestee—I-
3