State v. Dennison

On July 14, 2005, the defendant was sentenced to a commitment to the Department of Corrections for a term of thirteen (13) months, with five (5) years suspended, to run consecutively with the sentence imposed in Cause No. DC-99-213B, for the offense of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, 4 th or subsequent offense, a felony.

On November 15, 2005, 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 informed of his right to be represented by counsel. The defendant proceeded without counsel. 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 15th day of November, 2005.

DATED this 28th day of November, 2005.

Chairperson, Hon. Gary L. Day, Member, Hon. John Whelan and Member, Hon. Randal Spaulding.