Opinion ID: 2034640
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Failure to State Reasons for Sentence.

Text: In State v. Luedtke, 279 N.W.2d 7, 8-9 (Iowa 1979), we held that failure of a sentencing judge to state the reasons for imposing a sentence of incarceration, as required by Iowa Rule of Criminal Procedure 22(3)(d), deprived the appellate court of adequate means of resolving a claim of abuse of sentencing discretion. In that case we ordered vacation of the sentence and a remand for resentencing. In cases where a court has no discretion, however, we have held that failure to state reasons for a sentence does not require remand for a statement of reasons. See, e.g., State v. Hemminger, 308 N.W.2d 17, 21 (Iowa 1981) (first-degree robbery conviction; sentence of imprisonment mandatory under Iowa Code sections 902.7, 902.9, and 907.2). Also, when there is limited discretion in sentencing, based upon the particular crime for which the defendant has been convicted, and the court has imposed the minimum sentence provided for, we have held no remand is necessary for a statement of reasons. See State v. Matlock, 304 N.W.2d 226, 228 (Iowa 1981). In the present case, the plea agreement contemplated that the defendant would be imprisoned for the offense. The court approved the plea agreement and incorporated it in the sentence. The sentence of imprisonment was therefore not the product of the exercise of trial court discretion but of the process of giving effect to the parties' agreement. Under these circumstances, the purpose of a statement of reasons for imposition of the sentence would serve no practical purpose. The rationale of rule 22(3)(d) is inapposite, and any failure by the court to furnish reasons for the sentence was harmless. See Matlock, 304 N.W.2d at 228. We say again, as we did in Matlock, however, that the better practice is for the court to state reasons in every case, even those in which it has no discretion. Id.