Court Opinion

ID: 9906992
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-12-05 17:25:29.745805+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:55:17.531945
License: Public Domain

J-S32025-23

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT O.P. 65.37

 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA           :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                        :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                        :
              v.                        :
                                        :
                                        :
 ARIANNA D. BROWN                       :
                                        :
                    Appellant           :   No. 406 MDA 2023

     Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered February 17, 2023
   In the Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County Criminal Division at
                     No(s): CP-22-CR-0000799-2018

 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA           :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                        :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                        :
              v.                        :
                                        :
                                        :
 ARIANNA DESIREE BROWN                  :
                                        :
                    Appellant           :   No. 407 MDA 2023

     Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence Entered February 17, 2023
   In the Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County Criminal Division at
                     No(s): CP-22-CR-0003398-2020

BEFORE: DUBOW, J., KUNSELMAN, J., and NICHOLS, J.

MEMORANDUM BY KUNSELMAN, J.:             FILED: DECEMBER 5, 2023

      Arianna Desiree Brown appeals from the judgment of sentence imposed

following revocation of her probation for technical violations. Upon review,

we affirm in part and vacate in part.

      Briefly, Brown was serving probation sentences for involvement in two

unrelated crimes, a 2017 burglary, 799 CR 2018, and 2020 arson 3398 CR

2020. The burglary took place in November 2017, when Brown, along with
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two other individuals, broke into their neighbor’s apartment and stole a 50-

inch TV, Playstation-4, cell phones, vacuum cleaner, air conditioner, and

furniture. After the victim reported the break in, the police called Brown in

for questioning.      She told the police what transpired and admitted her

involvement. Brown was arrested.

       On March 15, 2019, [Brown] pled guilty to burglary and criminal
       conspiracy to commit burglary.[1] The applicable sentencing
       guidelines for burglary, a felony of the 1st degree, provided for a
       standard range of six (6) to fourteen (14) months, with a
       mitigated range to probation and an aggravated range to twenty
       (20) months. For criminal conspiracy, also a felony of the 1st
       degree, the standard range was three (3) to twelve (12) months,
       with a mitigated range to probation and an aggravated range to
       eighteen (18) months. [The court] immediately imposed terms of
       two (2) years of Intermediate Punishment [(“IP”)] at each count
       [concurrent], within the mitigated range of the guidelines.

VOP Court Opinion, 3/23/23, at 1 (excessive capitalization omitted).

       The arson charges arose on February 13, 2020, while Brown was still

serving her IP sentences imposed in the burglary case.       Brown flicked her

cigarette ashes in a partially full bathroom trashcan in the duplex where she

lived but accidentally dropped the whole cigarette in it. It caught on fire and

got out of control. Instead of going to a neighbor’s to call 911, Brown left and

went to a store to call 911. When she returned, the building was on fire.

Brown was arrested.

____________________________________________

1 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§3502 (a)(2) and 903.

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       On November 4, 2021, [Brown] pled guilty to arson and causing
       or risking catastrophe.[2] The applicable sentencing guidelines for
       arson, a misdemeanor of the 1st degree, provided for a standard
       range of three (3) to fourteen (14) months, with a mitigated range
       to probation and an aggravated range to seventeen (17) months.
       For causing or risking catastrophe, a felony of the 3rd degree, the
       standard range was six (6) to sixteen (16) months, with a
       mitigated range to three (3) months and an aggravated range to
       nineteen (19) months. [The court] immediately imposed a term
       of not less than eleven and one-half (11 1/2) nor more than
       twenty-three (23) months in Dauphin County Prison for arson, a
       sentence within the standard range, and five (5) years of
       consecutive probation for causing or risking catastrophe, a
       sentence outside the guidelines below the mitigated range.
       [Brown was immediately paroled.]

       On the same date as the guilty plea and sentencing [in the arson
       case], we also found [Brown] in violation of her [IP] in the
       burglary case]. We resentenced her for burglary to five (5) years
       of probation and imposed no sentence for criminal conspiracy.

       On May 24, 2022, we issued a bench warrant for [Brown] based
       upon alleged violations of probation. The warrant was served
       upon [Brown] on July 1, 2022 [and she was taken to jail]. [Brown]
       was scheduled for revocation hearings in each of the ensuing five
       (5) months, July, August, September, October, and November,
       and each time she refused to leave her [jail] cell at Dauphin
       County Prison and attend those hearings. On December 22, 2022,
       the sixth (6th) scheduled revocation hearing, [Brown] once again
       failed to attend. While no evidence was presented at that time
       attributing [Brown’s] absence to her refusal, [Brown’s] counsel
       informed the court that [Brown] refused to leave her cell to meet
       with her the previous day.       Accordingly, we determined it
       appropriate to proceed with the hearing in absentia.

       Prior to imposing sentence, we noted that we had the benefit of a
       Presentence Investigation Report (PSI) and that [Brown] had
       participated in its preparation. The PSI was made part of the
       record. [In the burglary case], on the sole remaining count of

____________________________________________

2 18 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 3301(e) and 3302(b).

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     burglary, we imposed a term of incarceration of not less than four
     (4) nor more than twenty (20) years in a state correctional
     institution. [In the arson case], we declined to revoke [Brown’s]
     parole for arson and closed that count. However, at the second
     count, causing or risking catastrophe, we resentenced [Brown] to
     five (5) years of probation to be served consecutively to the
     incarceration sentence imposed [in the burglary case].

     On January 20, 2023, [Brown] filed a [petition to file a post-
     sentence motion nunc pro tunc]. We granted that [m]otion on
     January 23, 2023. [Brown] then filed a timely [post-sentence
     motion nunc pro tunc] on January 27, 2023, requesting a new
     revocation hearing at which [Brown] would be present. On
     January 31, 2023, we granted [Brown’s] request, vacated the
     sentence imposed on December 22, 2022, and scheduled a new
     revocation hearing.

     On February 17, 2023, [Brown] appeared for the revocation
     hearing and was represented by counsel. We heard testimony
     from [Brown’s] Probation Officer regarding the following alleged
     violations of her probation:

       a) [Brown] violated Condition Five (5), by failing to attend
       and successfully complete treatment. Specifically, [Brown]
       was enrolled in treatment with Pennsylvania Counseling
       Services and Mazzitti & Sullivan but failed to follow through
       with either program.

       b) [Brown] violated Condition Nine (9), by failing to notify
       her Probation Officer of a change of address. Specially,
       [Brown’s] Probation Officer went to her approved address
       on May 11, 2022, and learned that [she] had left that
       residence approximately one (1) month before and had not
       returned.

       c) [Brown] violated Condition Ten (10), by failing to report
       to the Probation Office as scheduled. [Brown] failed to
       report as scheduled on April 14, 2022, and May 5, 2022.

       d) [Brown] violated the special condition that she comply
       with all recommended mental health treatment. Specifically,
       although [Brown] participated in an intake meeting with
       TEAMCare, she neglected to follow through with the
       prescribed     treatment.       Furthermore,     following
       hospitalizations in February and March of 2022, [Brown]
       was released with the recommendation to participate in a

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          partial hospitalization program. She failed to attend any
          such program; and

          e) [Brown] violated the special condition that she reside only
          at her mother’s residence.

       We, once again, made the PSI part of the record. [Brown] was
       afforded the opportunity to speak and only chose to address her
       failure to appear at the previous revocation hearings. We then
       imposed the same exact sentence as had been imposed on
       December 22, 2022.

VOP Court Opinion, 3/23/23, at 1-4 (footnotes and citations omitted).

       Brown filed another post-sentence motion, which the VOP court denied.

Brown filed these timely appeals.3             Brown and the court complied with

Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 1925.

       On appeal, Brown raises the following three issues:

       I. Whether the [VOP] court abused its discretion when it sentenced
       [] Brown to a period of total incarceration [] of 4-20 years [in the
       burglary case] when [] Brown committed no new crime, her
       violations were technical, she was unlikely to commit a new crime,
       and such action was unnecessary to vindicate the [c]ourt's
       authority.

       II. Whether the [VOP] court abused its discretion in fixing the
       period of incarceration at 4-20 years [in the burglary case], when
       the [VOP] court fixed a statutory maximum period of parole or
       incarceration when this period of incarceration is excessive and
       unreasonable considering her rehabilitative needs.

       III. Whether the [VOP] court abused its discretion when it imposed
       a consecutive period of probation [in the arson case], after a
       maximum period of either incarceration or parole affixed [in the
       burglary case] when [] [Brown’s] rehabilitative needs and
       society's interest in punishment could be accomplished by the
       sentence [in the burglary case].

____________________________________________

3 Upon Brown’s unopposed application, we consolidated her appeals.

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Brown’s Brief at 7.

      Brown challenges the discretionary aspects of the sentence imposed

after her probation was revoked. A challenge to the discretionary aspects of

a sentence, following probation revocation, does not entitle an appellant to

review as of right; rather, such a challenge must be considered a petition for

permission to appeal. See Commonwealth v. Kalichak, 943 A.2d 285, 289

(Pa. Super. 2008). Before reaching the merits of a discretionary sentencing

issue, we must conduct a four-part analysis to determine:

      (1) whether appellant has filed a timely notice of appeal, see
      Pa.R.A.P. 902 and 903; (2) whether the issue was properly
      preserved at sentencing or in a motion to reconsider and modify
      sentence, see Pa.R.Crim.P. 720; (3) whether [the] appellant's
      brief has a fatal defect, [by failing to include a Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f)
      statement]; and (4) whether there is a substantial question that
      the sentence appealed from is not appropriate under the
      Sentencing Code, [see] 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(b).

Commonwealth v. Moury, 992 A.2d 162, 170 (Pa. Super. 2010) (internal

citation and brackets omitted).

      Here, Brown satisfied the first three requirements under Moury.

Accordingly, we must determine whether she raised a substantial question.

      In her Rule 2119(f) statement, Brown first claims that the trial court

abused its discretion by imposing a sentence of total confinement following

revocation of probation solely based on technical violations. Brown’s Brief at

19.   The imposition of a sentence of total confinement after revocation of

probation for a technical violation, and not a new criminal offense, implicates

the “fundamental norms which underlie the sentencing process” raising a

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substantial question. Commonwealth v. Crump, 995 A.2d 1280, 1282 (Pa.

Super. 2010); Commonwealth v. Malovich, 903 A.2d 1247, 1252 (Pa.

Super. 2006) (claim that particular probation revocation sentence is excessive

in light of its underlying technical violations can present a question that this

Court should review).

      Brown also claims that the court abused its discretion and did not

adequately consider her rehabilitative needs when it imposed an excessive

sentence of 4 to 20 years’ incarceration in the burglary case and a consecutive

5-year period of probation in the arson case without considering her mental

health issues.   Brown’s Brief at 19-20. “[A]n excessive sentence claim—in

conjunction with an assertion that the court failed to consider mitigating

factors—raises a substantial question.” Commonwealth v. Caldwell, 117

A.3d 763, 770 (Pa. Super. 2015) (en banc).

      Lastly, Brown claims that the court abused its discretion by imposing a

consecutive sentence of probation which was excessive. A court's exercise of

discretion in imposing a sentence concurrently or consecutively does not

ordinarily raise a substantial question. Commonwealth v. Mastromarino,

2 A.3d 581, 587 (Pa. Super. 2010).       However, this Court has held that a

challenge to the excessiveness of consecutive sentences imposed following

revocation of probation, together with a claim that a trial court failed to

consider rehabilitative needs and mitigating factors upon fashioning the

sentence, presents a substantial question. Commonwealth v. Swope, 123

A.3d 333, 340 (Pa. Super. 2015).

                                     -7-
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      Therefore, we will address Brown's sentencing claims.

      This Court has stated:

      The imposition of sentence following the revocation of probation
      is vested within the sound discretion of the trial court, which,
      absent an abuse of that discretion, will not be disturbed on appeal.
      An abuse of discretion is more than an error in judgment — a
      sentencing court has not abused its discretion unless the record
      discloses that the judgment exercised was manifestly
      unreasonable, or the result of partiality, prejudice, bias or ill-will.

      In determining whether a sentence is manifestly excessive, the
      appellate court must give great weight to the sentencing court's
      discretion, as he or she is in the best position to measure factors
      such as the nature of the crime, the defendant's character, and
      the defendant's display of remorse, defiance, or indifference.

      Upon revoking probation, a sentencing court may choose from any
      of the sentencing options that existed at the time of the original
      sentencing, including incarceration. [U]pon revocation [of
      probation] . . . the trial court is limited only by the maximum
      sentence that it could have imposed originally at the time of the
      probationary sentence.

Commonwealth v. Colon, 102 A.3d 1033, 1044 (Pa. Super. 2014)

(quotations and citations omitted).

      When imposing a probation revocation sentence, the trial court must

follow the general principle that the sentence be “consistent with the

protection of the public, the gravity of the offense as it relates to the impact

on the life of the victim and on the community, and the rehabilitative needs

of the defendant.” 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9721(b). Additionally, where probation has

been revoked, a sentence of total confinement may only be imposed if:

      (1) the defendant has been convicted of another crime; or

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      (2) the conduct of the defendant indicates that it is likely that he
      will commit another crime if he is not imprisoned; or

      (3) such a sentence is essential to vindicate the authority of the
      court.

42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9771(c).    In all cases where the trial court resentences an

offender following revocation of probation, the trial court must place its

reasons for    the   sentence   on the   record. 42    Pa.C.S.A. §    9721(b);

Commonwealth v. Cartrette, 83 A.3d 1030, 1040–1041 (Pa. Super. 2013).

“A trial court need not undertake a lengthy discourse for its reasons for

imposing a sentence or specifically reference the statute in question, but the

record as a whole must reflect the sentencing court's consideration of the facts

of the crime and character of the offender.” Crump, 995 A.2d at 1282–1283.

      Brown first claims that the VOP court abused its discretion when it

imposed an excessive sentence of total confinement based only on technical

violations. Specifically, Brown argues that she did not commit a new crime;

there were insufficient grounds to demonstrate that she was likely to commit

a new crime; or that incarceration was necessary to vindicate the court’s

authority.   Instead, she maintains that her violations, which amounted to

failure to report and an inability to adjust to mental health treatment, were

related to her ongoing mental health and not an extension of her underlying

crimes. Brown’s Brief at 23-24. As such, Brown claims that the court should

not have imposed a sentence of total confinement.

      We have held that, “[t]echnical violations can support revocation and a

sentence of incarceration when such violations are flagrant and indicate [a

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resistance] to reform.” Commonwealth v. Carver, 923 A.2d 495, 498 (Pa.

Super. 2007). However, we have rejected lengthy incarceration sentences

imposed solely based upon technical violations of probation on grounds of

unreasonableness. Commonwealth v. Williams, 69 A.3d 735 (Pa. Super.

2013); Commonwealth v. Parlante, 823 A.2d 927 (Pa. Super. 2003). Given

this Court's highly deferential standard of review, such relief should be

afforded only in rare cases. Commonwealth v. Walls, 926 A.2d 957, 964

(Pa. 2007).

     Here, the VOP court based its sentence of total confinement on the

likelihood that Brown would commit a new crime and strongly disagreed with

Brown’s “bald claim” that she was unlikely to do so.      VOP Court Opinion,

3/23/23, at 8. The court explained:

     This is not a case where [Brown] incurred very minor violations
     but otherwise demonstrated her amenability to probation
     supervision and the efficacy of that form of supervision for her
     rehabilitative needs. She failed to successfully engage in the most
     important aspects of her rehabilitation. She failed to attend
     counseling at two (2) different providers. She failed to live where
     she was directed to live. She failed to keep her probation officer
     informed of her whereabouts. She failed to attend to her mental
     health treatment. She failed to report to her Probation Officer.
     We believe [Brown’s] violations are at least as flagrant as those
     discussed [] in [Commonwealth v. Capellini, 650 A.2d 1220
     (Pa. Super. 1997)] and are at least as indicative of an inability to
     reform.

     Furthermore, [Brown’s] claim that this abysmal adjustment to
     probation supervision does not evidence a likeliness to commit a
     new crime is curious considering her own history. [Brown] would
     presumably have us examine her case in a vacuum limited to only
     those violations that were before the [c]ourt on February 17,
     2023. However, understanding [Brown’s] rehabilitative needs

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      requires us to dig deeper than the immediate present. It only
      requires a glance into the very recent past to see that this was not
      [Brown’s] first time being revoked [in the burglary case], and that
      she had committed the crimes [in the arson case] while being
      supervised on [IP]. . . . [W]e find it likely that [Brown’s] inability
      to conform to probation would lead to the commission of new
      criminal offenses, as it did previously.

Id. at 8-9.

      Given this explanation, we conclude that the VOP court did not abuse its

discretion in sentencing Brown to total confinement after revocation of her

probation.    The court provided logical reasons for its finding that Brown’s

conduct indicated she was likely to commit another crime if not incarcerated.

      Additionally, the court had a PSI, which it noted and made part of the

record. Although the court did not reference anything specifically from the

PSI, we observe that the report indicated Brown’s risk for recidivism was high.

It also indicated that her criminal attitudes/behavior patterns were moderate.

These findings support the court’s conclusion that Brown was likely to

reoffend.

      Brown argues, however, that to impose a sentence of total incarceration

based solely on technical violations, there must be a relationship between the

probation violation and the underlying crime, i.e., likelihood of committing the

same type of offense, or the violations show the defendant does not care to

follow any court conditions. Brown’s Brief at 27. For support, Brown cites

Cappellini supra. There, the defendant pled guilty to various drug offenses.

Following revocation of probation, the court imposed a sentence of

incarceration. On appeal, this Court agreed that the defendant’s continued

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drug use, his claim he was drug free, combined with his resistance to

treatment and supervision, was sufficient to find that, unless incarcerated, the

defendant would likely commit another crime. Cappellini, 690 A.2d at 1225.

      We agree that the court may consider the relationship between the

probation violation and the underlying offense when imposing a VOP sentence.

However, there is no absolute rule that the technical violations must relate

back to the underlying crimes, as Brown claims, for the court to impose a

sentence of total confinement. Rather, the Legislature set forth the bases for

doing so. See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9771(c). Here, as noted above, the VOP court

articulated a logical and proper basis for sentencing Brown to a term of total

confinement. Furthermore, Brown demonstrated that she does not care to

follow the court’s conditions. We, therefore, conclude that the court did not

abuse its discretion when it sentenced Brown to a term of total confinement.

      In her second issue, Brown claims that the VOP court abused its

discretion, when it imposed a sentence of 4-20 years’ incarceration as unduly

excessive, given the nature of her violations and her mental health issues.

Brown’s Brief at 31. Although she acknowledges that the court could have

imposed a sentence of 10 to 20 years for the burglary alone, Brown argues

that the leap from a mitigated range sentence to a minimum sentence of 4

years’ incarceration, for only technical violations, was excessive. Id. at 31-

32. Additionally, Brown maintains that imposition of the statutory maximum

was likewise excessive. Id. at 34-35.

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       Regarding the minimum sentence imposed following revocation, the

VOP court explained that Brown’s claim:

       fails to account for the severity of [her] offenses and the
       applicable sentencing guidelines. [Brown] was convicted of two
       (2) [first degree felonies, a third-degree felony, and a first-degree
       misdemeanor]. Burglary, arson, and risking catastrophe are all
       crimes of victimization which carry a significant safety risk to
       individuals and the community. If we had merely sentenced
       [Brown] within the standard range of the sentencing guidelines
       we could have imposed a minimum term of incarceration of fifty-
       six (56) months. This would have been eight (8) months more
       than the term ultimately imposed.

       We do not believe it unfair to [Brown] to consider all the charges
       of which she was convicted rather than merely the charges on
       which we resentenced her on February 17, 2023. It is not as if
       [Brown] successfully served her sentences at the conspiracy and
       arson counts. We chose to impose no further sentence for
       conspiracy at the [VOP hearing] on November 4, 2021, and we
       chose to close the arson count rather than recommit [Brown] for
       the unexpired portion of that sentence [at the revocation hearing
       on February 17, 2023, ultimately]. We demonstrated mercy, as
       we did when we imposed mitigated range sentences [in the
       burglary case].

VOP Court Opinion, 3/23/23, at 9 (footnote omitted) (excessive capitalization

omitted). The court noted that “[a]lthough the sentencing guidelines are not

applicable to sentences imposed following the revocation of probation,

Commonwealth v. Fish, 752 A.2d 921, 924 (Pa. Super. 2000), we believe

they are relevant to demonstrate the reasonableness of the sentences

imposed relative to what could have been-imposed at the initial sentencing.”4

Id.
____________________________________________

4 We observe that this is no longer the case in light of the recently enacted

Resentencing Guidelines. See discussion infra.

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      Given the VOP court’s rationale for Brown’s minimum sentence, we

conclude that it did not abuse its discretion. Notably, 4 years’ incarceration is

well below the 10-year sentence she could have received for the burglary.

Further, considering Brown’s likelihood of recidivism, the court’s escalation of

sanctions was not unreasonable. And although Brown’s minimum sentence

was harsher than she desired, "[a court] does not necessarily abuse its

discretion in imposing a seemingly harsh post-revocation sentence where the

defendant originally received a lenient sentence and then failed to adhere the

conditions imposed on [them]." Commonwealth v. Schutzues, 54 A.3d 86,

99 (Pa. Super. 2012). We, therefore, conclude that the VOP court did not

abuse its discretion when it imposed Brown’s minimum sentence.

      Regarding Brown’s maximum sentence, the VOP court noted that the

maximum sentence for burglary was 20 years. The maximum sentence for

causing or risking catastrophe was 7 years. As such, the court emphasized

that Brown’s sentence of 20 years did not exceed what it originally could have

imposed. VOP Court Opinion, 3/23/23, at 7.

      However, we observe that, other than noting what it could have

imposed, the VOP court did not explain its reason for imposing a 20-year

maximum sentence. It simply imposed the maximum without consideration

of anything more.    While we recognize that Brown did not raise an issue

regarding the court’s failure to specify on the record its reasons for doing so,

the court’s lack of explanation hampers our understanding, and therefore our

review, of why it imposed such a lengthy sentence.

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      Notwithstanding this, we acknowledge that the VOP court could have

imposed a total maximum sentence of 27 years, but it imposed a 20-year

maximum sentence. Although this is below the aggregate maximum, it is still

a very substantial sentence. This is particularly so given that the court failed

to identify any relevant factors. See Parlante supra.

      As noted above, the VOP court had a PSI.             As such, we typically

“presume that the [] court was aware of relevant information regarding

[appellant's]   character   and   weighed     those   considerations   along   with

mitigating statutory factors.”    Commonwealth v. Bonner, 135 A.3d 592,

605 (Pa. Super. 2016), appeal denied, 145 A.3d 161 (Pa. 2016). However,

although the VOP court referenced the report at the hearing, it did not

comment on anything contained in it or seemingly consider any of the

information about Brown’s background indicated therein. The court did not

mention Brown’s age, terrible childhood, history of trauma, lack of education,

the nonviolent nature of her crimes, or most critically, Brown’s mental health

issues.

      The PSI indicated that Brown was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder,

anxiety, and depression.      She received SSD for her bi-polar disorder,

demonstrating that it is significant. The PSI also indicated that Brown does

not take her medication correctly or consistently. The PSI recommended that

she have an updated mental health evaluation. Despite this information, the

VOP court failed to address any of it in relation to Brown’s violations or her

rehabilitative needs.

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      The VOP court’s failure to consider and address this significant

mitigating factor in any way, along with other factors, when it resentenced

Brown, fails to comply with our goal of individualized sentencing.     This is

further compounded by the court’s failure to provide any reason for the

substantial maximum sentence.     We therefore find that Brown’s maximum

sentence was unreasonable. See Parlante, 823 A.2d at 930-31. As such,

we conclude that the VOP court’s imposition of a 20-year statutory maximum

sentence constituted an abuse of discretion. Although our review is highly

deferential, the circumstances of this case preclude us from deferring to the

VOP court and require us to remand for resentencing.

      In her third issue, Brown claims that the VOP court’s consecutive

sentence of probation imposed in the arson case was excessive. Brown argues

that, by imposing this sentence on top of a maximum period of incarceration

or parole in the burglary case, the VOP court crafted a supervision scheme of

25 years, which would subject her to supervision into her fifties.     Brown

maintains that this is not warranted because any rehabilitation would be

accomplished by the 20-year sentence.        Thus, according to Brown, such a

sentencing scheme constitutes too severe a punishment. Brown’s Brief at 35-

37.

      In imposing this sentence, the VOP court explained that it was hopeful

that the sentence in the burglary case would serve Brown well and rehabilitate

her. However, because the court was uncertain if she would be paroled, it did

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not want her to be released from her 20-year sentence to the street without

any type of supervision. VOP Court Opinion, 3/23/23, at 10.

       Initially, we observe that the recently enacted Resentencing Guidelines,

204 Pa. Code §§ 307.1-307.4, apply to Brown’s probation revocation in the

arson case.5 In relevant part, they provide:

       (a)    For a technical violation resulting in the revocation of an
              order of probation, the resentencing guidelines shall be the
              same as the initial sentencing guidelines . . .         with
              consideration given to any service of the original sentence.

Id. at § 307.3

       Here, the initial guidelines for causing or risking catastrophe were: a

mitigated range up to three (3) months; a standard range six (6) to sixteen

(16) months; and aggravated range up to nineteen (19) months of

incarceration. Thus, the five-year sentence of probation fell within the initial

guidelines and, therefore, was consistent with the Resentencing Guidelines.

       Regarding the consecutive nature of this sentence, we have long held

that a sentencing court has broad discretion as to whether a defendant serves

sentences consecutively or concurrently. Commonwealth v. Zirkle, 107

A.3d 127, 133 (Pa. Super. 2014).

       Here, the court’s desire that Brown have supervision if she is not paroled

is logical to ensure that she can manage being in society after potentially being

incarcerated for so long.       Nevertheless, we conclude that this consecutive
____________________________________________

5 The Resentencing Guidelines apply to revocation of probation for offenses

committed on or after January 1, 2020.

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sentence following the lengthy maximum sentence imposed in the burglary

case is excessive. As Brown argues, she will be subjected to supervision into

her fifties. However, if on remand, a lesser maximum sentence is imposed in

the burglary case, a consecutive sentence of probation may not be

unreasonable depending on its duration.

      Having found that Brown’s sentence, in part, was manifestly excessive,

we conclude that it constituted an abuse of discretion. We therefore remand

this matter for resentencing.

      Judgment of sentence affirmed in part and vacated. Case remanded for

resentencing consistent with this memorandum. Jurisdiction relinquished.

      Judge Dubow and Judge Nichols concur in result.

Judgment Entered.

Benjamin D. Kohler, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 12/5/2023

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