Case Name: STATE OF MONTANA, Plaintiff, vs. Mark P. Coster, Defendant
Court: Montana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Montana
Decision Date: 1999-06-18
Citations: 298 Mont. 35
Docket Number: NO. 98-216
Parties: STATE OF MONTANA, Plaintiff, vs. Mark P. Coster, Defendant.
Judges: Chairman, Hon. Richard G. Phillips, Member, Hon. Jeffrey H. Langton and Member, Hon. Marge Johnson
Reporter: Montana Reports
Volume: 298
Pages: 35–36

Head Matter:
FROM: The District Court of the 8th Judicial District. County of Cascade.
STATE OF MONTANA, Plaintiff, vs. Mark P. Coster, Defendant.
NO. 98-216 DECISION

Opinion:
On November 17,1998, the defendant was sentenced to a three (3) year commitment to the Department of Corrections.
On June 18, 1999, 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 advised of his right to proceed with counsel. The defendant proceeded Pro Se. 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 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.
After careful consideration, it is the unanimous decision of the Sentence Review Division that this case be remanded back to the district court to afford the defendant the opportunity to withdraw his plea of guilty to this offense. The record shows that there is a plea agreement that is binding upon the court for five (5) years to the De partment of Corrections, with all but sixty (60) days suspended. Although the Board has a letter from the county attorney indicating that there was a modification of this agreement, there is nothing in the record showing the modification.
Done in open Court this 18th day of June, 1999.
DATED this 15th day of July, 1999.
Chairman, Hon. Richard G. Phillips, Member, Hon. Jeffrey H. Langton and Member, Hon. Marge Johnson