Opinion ID: 848773
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Dispositional and Sentencing Inquiry

Text: Following a judgment of conviction in a designated case, M.C.L. § 712A.18(1)(n) provides a judge with the option of imposing either a juvenile disposition, an adult sentence, or a blended sentence, i.e., a delayed sentence pending defendant's performance under the terms provided by a juvenile disposition. To understand the appropriate method of inquiry a judge is required to undertake, we must examine the statute, M.C.L. § 712A.18(1)(n), to determine the Legislature's intent. The first step in discerning legislative intent requires review of the statutory text adopted by the Legislature. House Speaker v. State Administrative Bd., 441 Mich. 547, 567, 495 N.W.2d 539 (1993). If unambiguous, the Legislature will be presumed to have intended the meaning expressed. Lorencz v. Ford Motor Co., 439 Mich. 370, 376, 483 N.W.2d 844 (1992). Should reasonable minds differ with respect to a statute's meaning, judicial construction is appropriate. Sam v. Balardo, 411 Mich. 405, 418-419 n. 9, 308 N.W.2d 142 (1981). MCL 712A.18 provides in part: (1) [I]f the court finds that a juvenile is within this chapter [i.e., subject to the juvenile code], the court may enter any of the following orders of disposition that are appropriate for the welfare of the juvenile and society in view of the facts proven and ascertained: