Opinion ID: 2188836
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: claim of excessively lenient sentence

Text: Section 29-2322 provides that when the State has appealed and claims that a sentence is excessively lenient, the Supreme Court, upon a review of the record, shall determine whether the sentence imposed is excessively lenient, having regard for: (1) The nature and circumstances of the offense; (2) The history and characteristics of the defendant; (3) The need for the sentence imposed: (a) To afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct; (b) To protect the public from further crimes of the defendant; (c) To reflect the seriousness of the offense, to promote respect for the law, and to provide just punishment for the offense; and (d) To provide the defendant with needed educational or vocational training, medical care, or other correctional treatment in the most effective manner; and (4) Any other matters appearing in the record which the court shall deem pertinent. Regarding possible dispositions of the State's appeal based on a claim of excessively lenient sentence, § 29-2323 provides: Upon consideration of the criteria enumerated in section 29-2322, the Supreme Court shall: (1) If it determines that the sentence imposed is excessively lenient, set aside the sentence, and: (a) Remand the case for imposition of a greater sentence; (b) Remand the case for further sentencing proceedings; or (c) Impose a greater sentence; or (2) If it determines that the sentence imposed is not excessively lenient, affirm the sentence. The crime of child abuse frequently includes not only physical injury inflicted on a child, but mental trauma as well. Until experience teaches otherwise, a child looks to a parent for love, help, and a relationship of unlimited trust. At least in a child's early years, the child needs a nurturing parent for the very continuation of life itself. This is especially true in the case of David, who was both dependent and defenseless in his crib within his home, which ordinarily should be a child's sanctuary or refuge from the hurt waiting outside. David's mother, however, betrayed parental trust by making risk a very real part of David's life. Violence became not only a part of life, but a way of life taught and learned in the Wojcik home. What is learned today will be taught tomorrow. Child abuse cannot be a part of that education. We will not attempt a complete itemization of all the qualities of a good parent, but parental indifference, even apathy, to a child's injury inflicted by a parent would not be on that list anywhere. While violence has been a persistent part of Wojcik's life, inside and outside her home, that is not the type of force which ought to drive her children, or anyone's children, in their lives. Therefore, having considered the nature of the offense and its circumstances, Wojcik's character and history of violence, the seriousness of child abuse as a crime against those least able to protect themselves, and the need to deter Wojcik from future harm to her family, we conclude that a sentence to probation is inadequate punishment for the crime committed. Hence, we conclude that the district court abused its discretion by sentencing Wojcik to probation and, therefore, set aside the district court's sentence imposed on Wojcik. Under the circumstances, we find that a sentence to imprisonment is appropriate. Consequently, we sentence Wojcik to imprisonment at hard labor in a facility under the direction and jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services for a term of 20 months to 5 years, with credit for Wojcik's custodial time, if any, spent during pendency of the final disposition of this cause. The State has convinced us that Wojcik's sentence is too lenient, which it was; therefore, we have corrected the sentence imposed on Wojcik. Much of the information which we have examined concerning Wojcik's sentence is contained in the presentence report. One might reasonably expect that a court will consider relevant information contained in the presentence report, whether a matter for the sentencing court or an appellate court reviewing the sentence imposed. In Wojcik's case, the presentence report consists of photographs and 350 pages offered in a looseleaf edition of unnumbered pages. The PSR was secured only by a thin rubberband, which broke, causing a cascade of papers and no small uncertainty regarding the proper sequence of the material reassembled for future use. In any event, perhaps some of the facts, buried in the presentence report, escaped the district court's detection, which is understandable in view of the disarray in which the presentence report came before the district court and us. In preparing its brief, the State is required to observe the rule: The statement of facts shall be made in narrative form, and shall consist of so much of the substance of the record as is necessary to present the case. Each and every recitation of fact, whether in the statement of facts or elsewhere in the brief, shall be annotated to the record.... Neb.Ct.R. of Prac. 9D(1)f (rev. 1991). The State has disregarded the preceding rule. Although we are not required to search through the record to locate recitations of fact unannotated to the record, see State v. Biernacki, 237 Neb. 215, 465 N.W.2d 732 (1991), nevertheless, we have examined the record in Wojcik's case to ascertain the circumstances bearing on the claim that Wojcik's sentence is too lenient. Also, we point out that on November 1, 1990, at instruction from this court, Nebraska probation officers were directed that every presentence report shall consist of pagination numbered consecutively to facilitate examination and use of the report by a sentencing court and an appellate court as well. The presentence report in Wojcik's case was submitted on February 4, 1991, 3 months after issuance of the directive concerning pagination of every presentence report. Nevertheless, it is counsel's responsibility to prepare a brief in conformity with the rules of this court. If carrying out that responsibility requires some communication between counsel and those who prepare the record, including a PSR, for appellate review, then, as an admonition to be taken seriously, we suggest such communication. A word to the wise is sufficient. SENTENCE MODIFIED.