Opinion ID: 2632277
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Blending of Powers

Text: In considering the blending of powers, the court looks to the practical result of the blending as shown by actual experience over time. Beard contends that the judiciary has not been harmed in any way by the blending of powers in this case. Beard notes that in reality few inmates participate in Labette pursuant to K.S.A. 21-4603d(e); however, she offers no support for this assertion. Beard also cites to the fact recidivism for those who participate in Labette is less than those who do not participate, citing a report by the DOC to the 2001 legislature. The State asserts the practical result of the statute is that the court is required to supervise individuals it determined should have been placed in DOC custody and renders dispositions illusory. The State contends that the statute allows for a system ripe for abuse, citing to the fact the DOC disregarded the plea agreement in this case and altered Beard's disposition. In support of this claim of abuse, the State contends Beard was not even eligible for placement in Labette because she was not within 32 months of her projected release date or within the preferred age range for placement. These issues are not before the court on appeal, however. The State also claims the statute nullifies the adversarial process at sentencing, pressures inmates to violate plea agreements, circumvents victims' rights, and breeds public distrust in the judicial process. Although K.S.A. 1999 Supp. 21-4603d(e) may lead to the result that a defendant who was affirmatively denied placement in a conservation camp by the district court might later be enrolled in one by the DOC to relieve the prison population, this is what the legislature intended in enacting the statutes. Although there is some blending of powers, the executive branch is not usurping the powers of the judicial branch. Thus, there is no violation of separation of powers that renders the statute unconstitutional. Reversed and remanded with instructions that Beard be placed in community corrections.