Opinion ID: 1725724
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: the trial court erred in sentencing goss to a sentence which exceeds the maximum allowed by statute.

Text: ¶ 3. Goss was convicted of burglary of a dwelling and sentenced to serve seven years in the state penitentiary followed by a three year suspended sentence conditioned on good behavior. The trial judge set the suspension period at five years. ¶ 4. Mississippi law provides for a ten-year maximum sentence for burglary of a dwelling house. Miss.Code Ann. § 97-17-27 (1994). Goss contends his sentence exceeds the maximum period allowed by law. On July 1, 1995, a post-release supervision program statute became effective, designating that the total number of years of incarceration plus the total number of years of post-release supervision shall not exceed the maximum sentence authorized to be imposed by law for the felony committed. Miss.Code Ann. § 47-7-34 (Supp.1997). This provision, which specifically applies to felonies committed after June 30, 1995, was not applicable at the time of Goss's sentencing. ¶ 5. Goss further alleges that his five-year probationary term exceeded the statutory maximum. The maximum probationary period allowed by Mississippi law at the time of Goss's sentencing was five years. Miss.Code Ann. § 47-7-37 (1972 as amended); Gisch v. State, 278 So.2d 778 (Miss.1973). Therefore, the five year suspension period in the instant case does not exceed the maximum allowed by law. ¶ 6. Although the total number of years to which Goss was sentenced does not technically exceed the statutory maximum of ten years, and the suspension period does not exceed the statutory maximum of five years, we nevertheless find that the trial court erred in fashioning a sentence which could result in a fifteen year time span during which Goss is under the direct supervision of the State. Therefore, the sentence in its totality violates the limits imposed by the statutes and offends the intent of the legislature in restricting the duration of punishment imposed by the courts.