Opinion ID: 879881
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Issue 3Ex parte Conference

Text: Pease contends that he was denied due process when his probation officer conversed by telephone with the District Judge on September 15, 1987, just prior to his September 18 arrest. Consequently, Pease argues that our decision in State v. Redding (1984), 208 Mont. 24, 675 P.2d 974 demands reversal of the revocation. We disagree. In Redding, we held the defendant had been denied due process when the sentencing judge conferred with the presentence investigation officer behind closed doors with no opportunity for argument, rebuttal or explanation. However, Redding is distinguishable from the instant case. Here, the District Judge conferred with Pease's probation officer after Pease had already been convicted and sentenced. Then, prior to revoking the suspended sentence and reinstating the 15 year imprisonment sentence on December 2, 1987, Pease was given the opportunity for argument, rebuttal and explanation in two separate proceedings. We conclude, Pease was not denied due process of law, and the rule of State v. Redding, supra, does not apply.