Opinion ID: 1594169
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Refusal to grant probation.

Text: Defendant also contends that the court abused its discretion by denying him probation. His abuse of discretion argument is premised on the assertion that the court considered only one factor, deterrence, in refusing to grant probation. Granting probation is a matter of the trial court's broad discretion subject only to the statutory provision that the grant shall promote the rehabilitation of the defendant and the protection of the community. State v. Darrin, 325 N.W.2d 110, 112 (Iowa 1982); State v. Killpack, 276 N.W.2d 368, 373 (Iowa 1979); Iowa Code §§ 901.5, 907.5 (1985). We will interfere only upon the finding of abuse of that discretion. State v. Morrison, 323 N.W.2d 254, 256 (Iowa 1982). Each decision must be made on an individual basis, and no single factor is alone determinative. Id. In accordance with Iowa Rule of Criminal Procedure 22(3)( d ), the sentencing court gave its reasons for the sentence: The Court, for the reasons set out in the presentence investigation ... [is of the opinion that] we need to vindicate the right of a child to be safe from an adult in a parental role.... And to vindicate the child, if nothing else, I think incarceration must occur. In addition, the psychological makeup of the defendant and others like him is such that in the opinion of the Court the only effective deterrent is incarceration. Consequently, the plea for probation is rejected. The presentence report noted that [t]he major need in the case is for Mr. Ramirez to be incarcerated mainly for the protection of the community and, in particular, children. Viewing the court's statements in context, we believe it considered the following reasons in rejecting defendant's plea for probation: the seriousness of the offense; the protection of the community and, in particular, children from further criminal conduct by the defendant; and the deterrence of similar conduct in the future. All are proper sentencing objectives. See State v. Ludwig, 305 N.W.2d 511, 513 (Iowa 1981) (seriousness of the crime, the danger to the public, and the deterrence of similar criminal acts); State v. Post, 286 N.W.2d 195, 204 (Iowa 1979) (general deterrence and seriousness of the crime); State v. Buck, 275 N.W.2d 194, 195 (Iowa 1979) (protection of community, seriousness of the crime, and rehabilitation of defendant). The sentence fit the defendant and the circumstances, and no single factor was alone determinative in the court's determination to reject probation. We conclude the district court did not abuse its discretion by denying the defendant probation. DECISION OF COURT OF APPEALS VACATED AND JUDGMENT OF DISTRICT COURT AFFIRMED.