Opinion ID: 1792134
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Did the trial court impose the maximum sentence on Hersick because he chose to exercise his right to a jury trial?

Text: ¶ 46. Prior to the trial, Hersick was offered a plea bargain by the State. In exchange for his guilty plea, the State offered to recommend to the trial court a sentence of ten years, with five years suspended. Hersick exercised his right to a jury trial and, upon his conviction, the State recommended the maximum sentence of 10 years. ¶ 47. Hersick requested the court sentence him to the ten years, with five suspended, the sentence the State was going to recommend if he had pled guilty. Hersick contends that the trial court erred by imposing a heavier sentence than was offered to him pretrial, and that this heaver sentence was a direct result of his exercise of his constitutional right to a trial by jury. ¶ 48. The State responded that Hersick was not being punished for going to trial, but rather was offered an opportunity to help himself by pleading guilty and accepting responsibility. ¶ 49. This Court has repeatedly held that the imposition of a sentence, if it is within the limits prescribed by statute, is a matter left to the sound discretion of the trial court, and that the appellate courts will not ordinarily disturb a sentence so imposed. King v. State, 857 So.2d 702, 731 (Miss.2003). Whether the defendant takes responsibility for his or her actions is a fair consideration for the trial court in sentencing. We find nothing in the record that demonstrates the trial court imposed the maximum sentence to punish Hersick for exercising his right to a jury trial. Thus, this claim is without merit.