Opinion ID: 2222381
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Supervisory Powers

Text: [17] ¶ 42. In a final argument, Jorgensen suggests that even if this court finds the guidelines constitutionalwhich we dothis court should still invalidate the guidelines exercising its supervisory powers over the state courts. We decline this invitation. In finding these guidelines constitutional, we have determined that although such guidelines do not eliminate all disparity, they were authorized and set up for the purpose of, and succeed in eliminating some of the disparity that has existed within the state judicial districts. As such, we will not impede the authority granted to chief judges of the circuit courts or the discretion of the circuit courts themselves in sentencing. ¶ 43. This court has declared on previous occasions an unwillingness to intrude unnecessarily upon the discretion of circuit courts in the realm of sentencing. See In re Felony Sentencing Guidelines, 120 Wis. 2d 198, 200-202, 353 N.W.2d 793 (1984). In Felony Sentencing, 120 Wis. 2d at 202-03, this court declined the legislature's request to promulgate felony sentencing guidelines. Here, Jorgensen asks this court to overrule a scheme set up by the legislature and implemented by the various districts of the state, specifically here, the Fifth Judicial District. We decline to do so for many of the same reasons discussed in Felony Sentencing. Id. We held in Felony Sentencing, 120 Wis. 2d at 203, that [i]t is for the legislature . . . to decide whether and to what extent the sentencing court's discretion should be limited. The legislature here has, via Wis. Stat. § 346.65(2m)(a), mandated districts to establish sentencing guidelines related to certain operating under the influence offenses. The various districts have followed this mandate and established guidelines for consideration of aggravating and mitigating factors. This court will not obstruct operation of this sentencing scheme.