Opinion ID: 2001582
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: The disparate sentences.

Text: Appellant complains that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to move to reconsider sentence, and that the sentencing court failed to give adequate reasons for the disparate sentences given the co-defendants. Appellant received an effective sentence of one to three years. Spearin received an effective sentence of 11 1/2 to 23 months, a minimum of one-half and a maximum of 13 months less than appellant. [7] Before we address appellant's issue, we note that the sentence imposed on the criminal conspiracy count of the information is probation for five years. We also note that because conspiracy to make false reports to law enforcement officials is a misdemeanor III, with a maximum sentence of one year imprisonment, a sentence of five years' probation is illegal. Since the court did not state that the probation was for conspiracy to commit theft, a felony III with a maximum sentence of seven years, we must remand for resentencing on this count, as the imposed sentence is illegal. As for the disparate sentence argument: the usual rule is that courts need not impose identical sentences on co-defendants. But, in order for different sentences to withstand appellate scrutiny, the sentencing court must articulate the differences between the co-defendants that justify the disparate sentences. Commonwealth v. Sinwell, 311 Pa.Super. 419, 427, 457 A.2d 957, 960 (1983). Here, since trial counsel never moved to reconsider sentence, the sentencing court gave no reasons for its disparate sentences. Accordingly, on this point, we must remand to the sentencing court for reconsideration of sentence. Remanded for an evidentiary hearing on effectiveness of counsel with respect to failure to call witnesses. If counsel was effective, the court is to resentence on conspiracy, and reconsider the remaining sentence. If counsel was ineffective, sentence is vacated and a new trial on all charges is granted. Jurisdiction relinquished.