Case ID: mont_340/html/0106-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Done in open Court this 2nd day of August, 2007.
    STATE OF MONTANA, Plaintiff, vs. BRANDON STRATTON, Defendant,
    CAUSE NO. DC-06-60
    DECISION
   On April 16, 2007, the defendant was sentenced as follows: Count II: Twenty (20) years in the Montana State Prison, with five (5) years suspended, for the offense of Criminal Endangerment, a felony; Count III: A commitment to the Lincoln County Detention Facility for a term of six (6) months, with all six (6) months suspended, for the offense of Fleeing from a Peace Officer, a misdemeanor; Count IV: A commitment to the Lincoln County Detention Facility for a term of six (6) months, with all six (6) months suspended, and a fine of $300.00, for the offense of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs - First Offense, a misdemeanor; and Count V: A fine of $100.00 for the offense of Speeding, a misdemeanor. The Defendant was designated a Persistent Felony Offender. The sentences shall run concurrently.

On August 2, 2007, 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 Eric Olson. 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.

DATED this 14th day of August, 2007.

Chairperson, Hon. Randal Spaulding, Member, Hon. Katherine Irigoin and Member, Hon. Stewart Stadler.