Opinion ID: 2638020
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Consideration of Uncharged Conduct Evidence in Sentencing

Text: [¶ 30] The charge against Hirsch was based on a single encounter with the victim occurring on October 10, 2003. During sentencing, the district court considered evidence of a series of similar incidents between Hirsch and the victim. In his final issue, Hirsch asks this Court to adopt offense of conviction sentencing. The ABA standards advocate sentencing for the offense of conviction, which limits the sentencing court to information pertaining strictly to the offense for which the defendant is sentenced plus narrowly defined mitigating and aggravating factors. A.B.A. Standards for Criminal Justice Sentencing 18-3.6 (3d ed.1994). A real-offense sentencing jurisdiction allows the sentencing court to properly consider as much information about the defendant as the court finds is relevant to the determination of the sentence. Id. Manes v. State, 2004 WY 70, ¶ 11, 92 P.3d 289, 292 (Wyo.2004). If offense of conviction sentencing is adopted, Hirsch argues that the district court abused its discretion by considering the uncharged conduct and a remand for re-sentencing should be ordered. [¶ 31] Historically, trial courts have been granted broad discretion to consider a wide range of factors about the defendant and his crimes when imposing sentence. Manes, ¶ 9, 92 P.3d at 292 (citing Mehring v. State, 860 P.2d 1101, 1115 (Wyo.1993) and Griebel v. State, 763 P.2d 475, 477 (Wyo. 1988)); see also Bitz v. State, 2003 WY 140, ¶ 7, 78 P.3d 257, 259 (Wyo.2003). We will not disturb a sentencing decision absent a clear abuse of discretion. Jones v. State, 771 P.2d 368, 371 (Wyo.1989). In sentencing, due process provides a right to be sentenced only on accurate information. Mehring, 860 P.2d at 1117; Clouse v. State, 776 P.2d 1011, 1014 (Wyo.1989). On appeal, the defendant must demonstrate that the trial court relied upon the statements in sentencing to prevail. Mehring, at 1115. However, when no objection is made concerning the consideration of a particular factor, review is necessarily confined to a search for plain error. Plain error, as we have often stated, occurs when the record clearly shows an error that transgressed a clear and unequivocal rule of law which adversely affected a substantial right. Hornecker v. State, 977 P.2d 1289, 1291 (Wyo.1999); see also Craver v. State, 942 P.2d 1110, 1115 (Wyo.1997). Victim impact information about other crimes or convictions unrelated to the particular crime for which sentence is about to be imposed is permissible. Mehring, 860 P.2d at 1116-17. W.R.Cr.P. 32(a) specifically permits information about the prior criminal record of the defendant and his characteristics to be considered by the trial court before imposing sentence. In evaluating character, the trial court, in exercising its discretion, may consider a broad range of reports and information. Id.; see also Christy v. State, 731 P.2d 1204, 1207-08 (Wyo.1987). Evidence of prior criminal activity is highly relevant to the sentencing decision and may be considered by the sentencing court despite the fact that no prosecution or conviction may have resulted. Mehring, at 1117. Manes, ¶ 9, 92 P.3d at 292. [¶ 32] The question of whether or not Wyoming should adopt offense of conviction sentencing was raised by the defendant in Manes. We declined to consider the matter because it was not necessary to resolution of the case. Manes, ¶ 11, 92 P.3d at 292-93. The same is true of this case. Like the defendant in Manes, Hirsch did not object to consideration of the uncharged conduct in the presentence investigation report. This means that application of the plain error standard is triggered. Hirsch cannot establish the second prong of that test by showing transgression of a clear and unequivocal rule of law. Application of our well-established precedent means that Hirsch cannot demonstrate prejudice: the information considered by the district court was accurate and the sentence imposed was within the parameters allowed by statute. Without a showing of prejudice, Hirsch is not entitled a new sentencing hearing. Id. ¶ 13, 92 P.3d at 293.