Case ID: mont_340/html/0102-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Hon. Katherine Irigoin", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

STATE OF MONTANA, Plaintiff, vs. WILLIAM RORVICK, Defendant,
    CAUSE NO. DC-06-142
    DECISION
   On December 6, 2006, the defendant was sentenced to twenty (20) years in the Montana State Prison, with ten (10) years suspended, for the offense of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Fourth or Subsequent Offense, a felony. The Defendant was designated a persistent felony offender.

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).

Done in open Court this 2nd day of August, 2007.

DATED this 14th day of August, 2007.

The majority of 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 majority decision of the Sentence Review Division that the sentence shall be affirmed.

Chairperson, Hon. Randal I. Spaulding and Member, Hon. Stewart Stadler

The

Hon. Katherine Irigoin

dissents.

It is Judge Irigoin’s opinion that the sentence is excessive in light of other sentences given for fifth offense Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol charges around the state and given the defendant’s age.

Member, Hon. Katherine Irigoin