Opinion ID: 2038712
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Sentencing Background

Text: ¶ 8. In order to explain our answers to the questions presented, we first review relevant general principles. At sentencing, the circuit court has a dual responsibility: to the person it is about to sentence and to the public that the criminal laws protect. State v. Heffran, 129 Wis. 2d 156, 163, 384 N.W.2d 351 (1986); Neely v. State, 47 Wis. 2d 330, 334, 177 N.W.2d 79 (1970); State v. Perez, 170 Wis. 2d 130, 140, 487 N.W.2d 630 (Ct. App. 1992); State v. Knapp, 111 Wis. 2d 380, 384-85, 330 N.W.2d 242 (Ct. App. 1983). In order to meet its responsibility, the circuit court accepts information about the defendant, his or her personality, social circumstances and general patterns of behavior to aid it in rendering an intelligent and informed judgment regarding the appropriate penalty under the circumstances. Heffran, 129 Wis. 2d at 163-64; see also Knapp, 111 Wis. 2d at 385 (noting that [h]ighly relevant, if not essential, to [the court's] selection of an appropriate sentence is the possession of the fullest information possible concerning the defendant's life and characteristics); Rosado v. State, 70 Wis. 2d 280, 288, 234 N.W.2d 69 (1975) (stating that [i]t is well settled that all information relevant to sentencing should be brought to the attention of the trial judge). Moreover, the entire sentencing process is to be a search for the truth and an evaluation of alternatives. Farrar v. State, 52 Wis. 2d 651, 657, 191 N.W.2d 214 (1971); see also State v. McQuay, 154 Wis. 2d 116, 130, 452 N.W.2d 377 (1990). ¶ 9. A PSI is one means through which the sentencing court receives information about a defendant, Heffran, 129 Wis. 2d at 163-64, and it is intended to assist the sentencing court in determining the kind and extent of punishment to be imposed in the particular case. Id. at 163 (citation omitted). See also Wis. Admin. Code § DOC 328.27 (Mar., 2004) (stating the primary purpose of the presentence investigation report is to provide the sentencing court with accurate and relevant information upon which to base its sentencing decision); Crowell, 149 Wis. 2d at 868 (explaining that a PSI is prepared to provide the sentencing court with a reliable information base in order to assist it in reaching rational and consistent sentencing). ¶ 10. Wisconsin Stat. § 972.15 provides that, after a felony conviction, the court may order a presentence investigation prepared by the department of corrections. Section 972.15(1). However, a PSI is not required prior to sentencing. Bruneau v. State, 77 Wis. 2d 166, 174, 252 N.W.2d 347 (1977) (stating that a PSI is not constitutionally or statutorily required) (citing Weatherall v. State, 73 Wis. 2d 22, 242 N.W.2d 220 (1976) and Sprang v. State, 63 Wis. 2d 679, 218 N.W.2d 304 (1974)). The recommendations in a PSI are not binding on the court. McQuay, 154 Wis. 2d at 131. PSIs, ordered pursuant to § 972.15(1), are prepared by department of corrections staff. Wis. Admin. Code § DOC 328.27(2). The staff member acts on behalf of an independent judiciary, and does not act as an agent of the State. McQuay, 154 Wis. 2d at 133. In order to be reliable, the PSI must be prepared by one who is neutral and independent of both the prosecution and the defense. Perez, 170 Wis. 2d at 140-41. ¶ 11. All court-ordered PSIs contain the same categories of information. Wis. Admin. Code § DOC 328.27. They are required to review the defendant's present offense, prior criminal record, prior correctional institution record, victim's statement, family information and personal history. Id. at (3)(a). A PSI shall contain information about the offender's present situation, including any pending charges. Id. at (3)(b). It shall ... include[] the writer's recommendation for sentencing and the reasoning supportive of that recommendation, unless the court has otherwise stated, id. at (3)(c), and a tentative corrections plan, unless waived by the staff member's supervisor. Id. at (3)(d). The defendant has a right to challenge any statement in the PSI that he or she believes is inaccurate or incomplete. State v. Watson, 227 Wis. 2d 167, 194, 595 N.W.2d 403 (1999). ¶ 12. In recent years, some defense counsel have submitted sentencing memoranda prior to sentencing. Those memoranda are similar in content to court-ordered PSIs. Marcia G. Shein, Sentencing Defense Manual: Advocacy/Practice/Procedure, § 4.2, 4-7 (West Group 1998). However, a defendant's sentencing memoranda has no prescribed format or requisite inclusions, and it is prepared by a person advocating on behalf of the defendant. See John L. Carroll, The Defense Lawyer's Role in the Sentencing Process: You've Got to Accentuate the Positive and Eliminate the Negative, 37 Mercer L. Rev. 981, 1000-01 (1986) [hereinafter The Defense Lawyer's Role in the Sentencing Process ].