Opinion ID: 2633789
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Issue 2: State's Appellate Burden

Text: Next, Blackmon argues that the State failed to show on appeal that the sentencing court's reasons justifying the downward durational departure were not supported by the record. Essentially, Blackmon repeats her position in Issue 1, that the facts and the record support reasons for the downward departure, regardless of whether specifically articulated by the sentencing court at the sentencing hearing. Blackmon points out that, because the State brought the initial appeal, it was the State's burden to provide an adequate record on appeal. Presumably, she means to complain about the lack of a trial transcript and evidentiary motions in the record. See State v. Holmes, 278 Kan. 603, 612, 102 P.3d 406 (2004) (appellant has burden to designate a record that affirmatively shows prejudicial error; without such a record, appellate court presumes action of trial court was proper). Thus, Blackmon argues that a meaningful review of the sentencing court's reasons for issuing a departure sentence is precluded by the limited record on appeal. If we were reviewing a question of whether the facts supported a sentencing court's departure finding, Blackmon's argument might have merit. Here, however, we have been presented with an issue of law and the record, although limited, is sufficient for that review.