Opinion ID: 1543627
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Habitual offenders face a mandatory minimum for violent felonies.

Text: The habitual criminal sentencing statute, 11 Del. C. § 4201(a) subjects qualifying defendants (3 felony convictions) to possible life imprisonment for a 4th felony conviction. [9] Under this statute, a sentencing judge may sentence an habitual criminal up to life in prison after the triggering 4th felony. Section 4201(a) further limits judges' discretion by creating an additional minimum penalty for violent habitual criminals as 11 Del. C. § 4201(c) defines them. [10] For these qualifiers, the statute mandates that there be a minimum sentence equal to or exceeding the maximum sentence for that triggering felony. Under this statutory scheme, the sentencing judge must sentence Forehand to at least eight years up to life imprisonment. Section 4201(a) eliminates, for an habitual criminal's sentencing, the maximum ceiling for Class D Escape which is eight years. If the General Assembly had not classified Class D Escape as a violent felony, the sentencing judge could exercise rational discretion proportionate to Forehand's actions up to life imprisonment. Because the General Assembly classified Class D Escape After Confinement as a violent felony regardless of the factual underlying circumstances, Forehand faces an eight year mandatory minimum sentence simply for failing to return to a halfway house.