Opinion ID: 1104462
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: the trial court committed reversible error by failing to sentence appellant in accordance with section 41-29-150 of the mississippi code, and in overruling appellant's petition for participation in a community service restitution program pursuant to sections 99-20-1 et seq. of the mississippi community restitution act

Text: Appellant was sentenced pursuant to Mississippi Code Annotated section 41-29-139(b)(1). The maximum sentence which can be imposed is thirty years imprisonment and a fine of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00). Appellant's sentence of ten years imprisonment was well within the statutory limits. This Court has repeatedly held that a trial court will not be held in error or held to have abused discretion if the sentence imposed is within the limits fixed by statute. Contreras v. State, 445 So.2d 543 (Miss. 1984); Boyington v. State, 389 So.2d 485 (Miss. 1980); Boone v. State, 291 So.2d 182 (Miss. 1974); Russell v. State, 220 So.2d 334 (Miss. 1969). Appellant argues that she should have been sentenced under Mississippi Code Annotated sections 41-29-149 and 41-29-150. These sections indicate that their use is within the discretion of the trial judge. Section (d) of XX-XX-XXX applies to persons convicted under section 41-29-139(b)(1) as was appellant here. There is no indication that the trial judge abused his discretion in not applying these statutes. In Milstid v. State, 347 So.2d 1319 (Miss. 1977), cited by appellant, this Court remanded the case for imposition of the proper sentence. In that case an 18-year-old defendant with no previous record of conviction of drug related offenses should have been sentenced under Mississippi Code Annotated sections 41-29-149 and 41-29-150 (Supp. 1976). The attorney general conceded that these sections were applicable at that time. As pointed out by the State in this case, the statute has been subsequently amended and section 41-29-150(c)  and 41-29-150(d) do not apply to the appellant here. Appellant's reliance on Milstid is misplaced. Although appellant assigns as error the trial court's action in overruling appellant's petition for participation in a community service restitution program pursuant to sections 99-20-1 et seq. of the Mississippi Community Restitution Act, this point is not argued by appellant. The statutes provide an alternative method of punishment which may be imposed at the request of a department of corrections representative upon review and determination that the eligibility requirements of Mississippi Code Annotated section 99-20-5 have been met and with notification of the district attorney and defense attorney. As noted in Mississippi Code Annotated section 99-20-9 the court is not bound by the recommendations. Appellant's assignment of error is without merit.