Case Name: STATE OF MONTANA Plaintiff, vs. Jonathan W. Vandersloot, Defendant
Court: Montana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Montana
Decision Date: 1999-11-04
Citations: 298 Mont. 95
Docket Number: NO. DC-97-44
Parties: STATE OF MONTANA Plaintiff, vs. Jonathan W. Vandersloot, Defendant.
Judges: Chairman, Hon. Richard G. Phillips and Alt. Member, Hon. Robert Boyd
Reporter: Montana Reports
Volume: 298
Pages: 95–96

Head Matter:
FROM: The District Court of the 13th Judicial District. County of Big Horn.
STATE OF MONTANA Plaintiff, vs. Jonathan W. Vandersloot, Defendant.
NO. DC-97-44 DECISION

Opinion:
On June 11, 1999, the defendant was sentenced to twenty (20) years in the Montana State Prison.
On November 4, 1999, the defendant's application for review of that sentence was considered by the Sentence Review Division of the Montana Supreme Court.
The defendant was present and was represented by James Vogel. The state was represented by Christine Cooke.
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 to 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 provides: "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 45-18-904(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.
After careful consideration, it is the majority decision of the Sentence Review Division that the sentence shall be affirmed.
Done in open Court this 4th day of November, 1999.
DATED this 6th day of December, 1999.
Chairman, Hon. Richard G. Phillips and Alt. Member, Hon. Robert Boyd