Opinion ID: 1662152
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: absence of appellate review of sentencing

Text: Appellant contends that the Act violates the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution, made applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment, and Article 2, Section 9 of the Arkansas Constitution because it does not provide for appellate review of the sentence ultimately imposed. Appellant argues that the absence of appellate review of a sentence contravenes the ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Appellant's argument is entirely without merit as it is based upon a false premise. The Act does not prohibit or interfere with our practice of reviewing sentencing proceedings when sentencing issues are properly presented. Indeed, as the state points out, we have recently reversed a case for evidential errors that occurred in the sentencing phase. Rush v. State, 324 Ark. 147, 919 S.W.2d 933 (1996). As for review of the ultimately imposed sentence, we do not usually review the length of a sentence that is within legal limits except in limited circumstances not relevant here. Henderson v. State, 322 Ark. 402, 910 S.W.2d 656 (1995). Finally, we note that appellant makes no contention whatsoever that his sentence is erroneous or that error occurred in the sentencing phase of his trial.