Opinion ID: 1943812
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Level V Sentence Constitutes Imprisonment

Text: In 1987, in response to major sentencing reform efforts undertaken by the Sentencing Accountability Commission (SENTAC), the Delaware General Assembly amended 11 Del. C. § 4204(c) to create a continuum of authorized sentencing sanctions ranging in severity from accountability level I to accountability level V. [11] The levels of sentencing are distinguished by the amount of control the Department of Correction exercises over a convicted offender. Level V, the most restrictive sanction, is defined as the commitment of the offender to the Department of Correction for a period of incarceration, with or without the imposition of a fine provided by law for the offense. [12] Thus by its definition, a level V sentence, which requires a period of incarceration, constitutes a sentence of imprisonment under the Delaware Constitution. [13] We therefore hold that Weaver's sentence to two months at level V incarceration, on its face, satisfies the constitutional threshold for taking an appeal. The more pointed question is whether the trial court, by suspending execution of Weaver's otherwise appealable level V sentence, could render the sentence unappealable. This Court has never squarely addressed this issue.