Case Name: STATE of Louisiana, Appellee, v. Jerry Lynn STILES, Appellant
Court: Louisiana Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1999-02-24
Citations: 733 So. 2d 612
Docket Number: No. 31,854-KA
Parties: STATE of Louisiana, Appellee, v. Jerry Lynn STILES, Appellant.
Judges: Before BROWN, GASKINS and PEATROSS, JJ.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 733
Pages: 612–618

Head Matter:
STATE of Louisiana, Appellee, v. Jerry Lynn STILES, Appellant.
No. 31,854-KA.
Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Second Circuit.
Feb. 24, 1999.
Opinion on Grant of Rehearing May 27, 1999.
Charles Jacobs, Indigent Defender Board, Counsel for Appellant.
Richard Ieyoub, Attorney General, James M. Bullers, District Attorney, Whitley R. Graves, Joseph Gregorio, Assistant District Attorneys, Counsel for Appellee.
Before BROWN, GASKINS and PEATROSS, JJ.

Opinion:
I, GASKINS, J.
The defendant, Jerry Lynn Stiles, was originally charged by bill of information with two counts of aggravated incest with his minor daughter, in violation of La. R.S. 14:78.1. He pled guilty to those charges and received consecutive sentences of 20 years at hard labor. The defendant now appeals his sentences as excessive. For the reasons assigned below, we affirm the defendant's convictions and sentences.
FACTS
Over a period of several years, the defendant engaged in improper sexual relations with his biological daughter (date of birth 8/1/84), beginning when she was approximately 11 or 12 years old. When confronted, the defendant admitted his conduct. He specifically stated that he had sexual intercourse with the child 15 times and oral sex two or three times.
Charged with two counts of aggravated incest, the defendant pled guilty. In exchange for his plea, the prosecution agreed to dismiss an unrelated charge of issuing worthless checks. The state also agreed to terminate an ongoing investigation which sought to determine whether charges of aggravated rape were appropriate in the instant case. The defendant received consecutive sentences of 20 years at hard labor. Under La. R.S. 15:537, the trial court denied the defendant eligibility for diminution of sentence for good behavior. His timely motion for reconsideration of sentence was denied.
ERROR PATENT
We note that the trial court failed to comply with the provisions of La.C.Cr.P. art. 556.1 during the defendant's guilty plea. Specifically, the trial court failed to inform the defendant of the mandatory minimum penalty for the offense of aggravated incest, i.e., five years. However, we find that, in a case like the [^present one, where the defendant received the maximum term of imprisonment, such an error is harmless. Additionally, the defendant does not assert nor does the record reveal that the plea was entered unknowingly or involuntarily. Consequently, we find no reversible error.
EXCESSIVE SENTENCES
In reviewing claims of excessive sentence, an appellate court uses a two-step process. First, the record must show adequate consideration of the criteria set forth in La.C.Cr.P. art. 894.1. State v. Smith, 433 So.2d 688 (La.1983). The trial court is not required to list every aggravating and mitigating circumstance so long as the record reflects adequate consideration of the guidelines of the article. State v. Smith, supra. The articulation of the factual basis for the sentence is the goal of La. C.Cr.P. art. 894.1, not rigid or mechanical compliance with its provisions. Remand is unnecessary when a sufficient factual basis for the sentence is shown. State v. Lanclos, 419 So.2d 475 (La.1982). The sentencing record should reflect that the trial judge considered not only the seriousness of the crime and the past criminal history of the defendant, but also the defendant's personal history (including age, mental status, dependents, family ties, employment record, and health) and the potential for rehabilitation. State v. Quebedeaux, 424 So.2d 1009 (La.1982).
The second prong of the inquiry requires an examination of the circumstances of the case and the background of the defendant. A sentence violates La. Const, art. 1, § 20 (1974) if it is considered grossly disproportionate to the seriousness of the offense or nothing more than a purposeless and needless infliction of pain and suffering. State v. Barnes, 28,835 (La.App.2d Cir.12/11/96), 685 So.2d 1148, writ denied, 97-0274 (La.10/10/97), 703 So.2d 602. [SA sentence is considered grossly disproportionate if, when the crime and punishment are considered in light of the harm done to society, it shocks the sense of justice. The court of appeal will not set aside a sentence as excessive absent a showing of manifest abuse of discretion. State v. Barnes, supra.
In the instant case, the trial court adequately complied with the provisions of La.C.Cr.P. art. 894.1. The court noted that the defendant committed very serious offenses which were bound to have a severe effect on the victim, who was particularly vulnerable to his actions. The court further found that the defendant used his position as the victim's father to facilitate his crimes. There was no excuse or justification for the offenses. The court found that the defendant needed correctional treatment. In mitigation, the court found that the defendant had no prior criminal record.
As to the second prong of the test, we do not find that the sentences imposed amount to a purposeless and needless infliction of pain and suffering. The defendant, a mature adult, took advantage of his paternal relationship with his biological child. He engaged in sexual relations with this child on a number of occasions over a substantial period of time without any regard as to the effect of his actions on this vulnerable young victim.
Based on the above, we find that the defendant's sentences are not excessive.
CONCLUSION
The defendant's convictions and sentences are affirmed.
AFFIRMED.
PEATROSS, J., dissents with written reasons.