Case ID: mont_373/html/0028-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

The District Court of the 16th Judicial District. County of Custer.
    STATE OF MONTANA, Plaintiff, vs. DANIEL COOK, JR., Defendant.
    CAUSE NO. DC-10-57
    DECISION
   On January 14,2013, the Defendant was sentenced to a commitment to the Department of Corrections for a term of five (5) years, with the recommendation that the Defendant be screened for placement at the Boot Camp program followed by a pre-release center before returning to community supervision. If the Defendant successfully completes the Boot Camp program, he may petition the Court to suspend the remaining portion of his sentence. This sentence is for violation of the conditions of a deferred sentence for the offense of criminal mischief by common scheme by accountability, a felony.

DATED this 24th day of June, 2013.

On May 2, 2013, the Defendant’s Application for review of that sentence was heard by the Sentence Review Division of the Montana Supreme Court (hereafter “the Division”).

The Defendant was present and was represented by Samantha Stephens, third year law student under the supervision of Attorney Ed Sheehy, Jr. The State was not represented.

Before hearing the Application, the Defendant was advised that the 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 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.” (Section 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 Division that the sentence shall be AFFIRMED.

Done in open Court this 2nd day of May, 2013.

Chairperson, Hon. Loren Tucker, Member Hon. Brad Newman and Member Hon. Kathy Seeley.