Opinion ID: 2541529
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Hearing was Untimely

Text: Once judgment and sentencing occur in a criminal proceeding, the trial court has exhausted its jurisdiction. It can take no further action in that case except when otherwise expressly provided by statute or rule. Mertens, 198 S.W.3d at 618. Pursuant to section 559.115.3, the SOAU is a 120-day program that Valentine successfully completed. Under this subsection, the circuit court had the authority to determine whether the Board's recommendation that Valentine be released on probation constituted an abuse of discretion. If the circuit court found the Board abused its discretion, the circuit court could order the execution of Valentine's sentences only after conducting a hearing on the matter within 90 to 120 days of Valentine's sentence. In this case, Valentine was sentenced on August 25, 2011. The circuit court's authority to order Valentine's sentences executed expired 120 days thereafter on December 23, 2011. The court held a hearing and found that release would be an abuse of discretion, but it did not do so until January 19, 2012, nearly a month after the 120-day period set out in section 559.115.3 had expired. Therefore, the circuit court lacked the authority to enter its January 19, 2012, judgment denying Valentine probation and executing his sentences. See Mertens, 198 S.W.3d at 618.