Opinion ID: 2079135
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: mandate of sentence review division

Text: The sentence review division is an arm of the Superior Court. When it issues a memorandum of decision ordering a modification of sentence such action is the operative judicial act of the Superior Court. Jaquith v. Revson, 159 Conn. 427, 431, 270 A.2d 559 (1970); Grays v. Connecticut Co., 123 Conn. 605, 607n., 198 A. 259 (1938). In civil matters the preparation of the judgment file is a clerical matter; the written judgment relates back to the filing of the memorandum. Bogaert v. Zoning Board of Appeals, 162 Conn. 532, 535n., 294 A.2d 573 (1972). Similarly, in criminal cases subject to sentence review, the imposition of the modified sentence following the action of the sentence review division is merely formal and ministerial. The trial court which imposes the modified sentence has no appellate authority and therefore is not authorized to review the action of the sentence review division. State v. Deep, 181 Conn. 284, 286, 435 A.2d 333 (1980). Furthermore, because it is bound by the previous action; Maloney v. Pac, supra; it lacks any independent discretionary authority to impose its own sentence. If the modified sentence is illegal in any respect the appropriate remedy for correcting such illegality is by appeal to this court; State v. Heyward, supra; by writ of error; State v. Falzone, 171 Conn. 417, 370 A.2d 988 (1976); State v. Muolo, 118 Conn. 373, 172 A. 875 (1934); or by writ of habeas corpus. State v. Kyles, 169 Conn. 438, 443, 363 A.2d 97 (1975). There is no error.