Opinion ID: 1704104
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: trial court's exercise of discretion at sentencing

Text: Defendant also claims that the trial court erred in failing to recognize and exercise its discretion in sentencing the defendant. Specifically, defendant claims that the habitual offender statute, MCL 769.10; MSA 28.1082, which allows the sentencing court to increase the maximum sentence to not more than 1-1/2 times the longest term prescribed for the first conviction, requires that the trial judge exercise his discretion in setting the maximum term. The defendant concedes that a 15-year maximum habitual offender sentence is permissible under the statutory provision for assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct involving penetration, MCL 750.520g(1); MSA 28.788(7)(1). Nevertheless, defendant complains that the sentencing court did not recognize its discretion to control the maximum, pointing to the court's statement: The court sets a minimum at two and one-half years; the maximum is set by the statute here under the supplemental charge of fifteen years. That is named as the maximum. Plaintiff responds that the sentencing transcript demonstrates that the trial judge exercised his discretion in imposing the maximum sentence. The Court of Appeals agreed with plaintiff: While the cited excerpt from the sentencing transcript is subject to interpretation, the fact that the court specified that the offense was against public morals and against a young child lends credence to the position that the trial court recognized its discretion and exercised it by setting the maximum term as the maximum allowed under the statute. 111 Mich App 39. Having examined the entire sentencing transcript and considered the above-cited excerpt in its proper context, [17] we agree with the plaintiff and the Court of Appeals that the trial court recognized its discretion in sentencing the defendant, but found that the greatest possible sentence was appropriate. Accordingly, defendant's conviction and sentence are affirmed.