Opinion ID: 2314780
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Pre-sentencing evaluation.

Text: Finally, the defendant argues that it was improper for the trial court to sentence him without first having him examined by a psychiatrist to determine whether he was a dangerous sexual offender within the meaning of RSA 173-A:3 (Supp. 1981). [7] RSA 173-A:3 (Supp. 1981) clearly requires an examination of the defendant prior to sentencing for the offense of aggravated felonious sexual assault. Both the State and the trial court are mistaken in their interpretation that our holding in Grindle v. Miller, 119 N.H. 214, 400 A.2d 787 (1979), modified the statutory requirement that the examination occur prior to sentencing. Grindle merely held that in cases where the defendant is found to be a dangerous sexual offender, he must be given a definite sentence and not an indeterminate period of confinement. Id. at 218, 400 A.2d at 790-91. Because the defendant was entitled under the statute to have the result of his psychiatric examination before the trial court at the time of sentencing, and not be examined after sentencing, as was done here, we vacate his sentence and remand for re-sentencing. Verdict affirmed; sentence vacated; remanded.