Opinion ID: 1770220
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the trial court erred in levying an excessive sentence, in violation of local custom, which denied the appellant an opportunity to present meliorative factors to the court, and which was disproportionate to other sentences given by the court.

Text: The imposition of sentence is in the discretion of the trial judge, Jackson v. State, 551 So.2d 132, 149 (Miss. 1989). Rule 6.02 of the Uniform Criminal Rules of Circuit Court Practice provides: RULE 6.02 PRESENTENCE REPORT Upon acceptance of a plea of guilty, or upon a finding of guilt, and where the court has discretion as to the sentence to be imposed, the court may direct the presentence investigator to make a presentence investigation report. Presentence investigations are also provided for in Miss. Code Ann. § 47-7-9(3)(a) (Supp. 1990), which indicates that a presentence investigation is required only where the trial court requests it. The rule and the statute clearly establish the use of presentence investigations and reports are discretionary with the trial judge and are not mandatory. A defendant does not have a right to a presentence investigation. Katz v. King, 627 F.2d 568, 576 (1st Cir.1980). This assignment of error is without merit.