Court Opinion

ID: 9762699
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 02:29:26.890302+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:29:36.747788
License: Public Domain

ORIE MELVIN, J.,
concurring:
¶ 1 I agree with the Majority’s opinion in all respects. I write separately to comment on the need to preserve the trial court’s discretion in fashioning a sentence under 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9714(a)(2). I believe the trial court should have the discretion to selectively impose a sentence based upon the facts and circumstances of each individual case taking into consideration a number of factors including the gravity of the offense, the defendant’s character and background as well as the protection of the public safety.
¶ 2 If the trial court’s discretion is questioned, our Legislature may choose to move in the direction of other jurisdictions with similar repeat offender legislation, where the judiciary is prevented from exercising its discretionary powers and is required to impose a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. See CaLPenal Code § 667; see also Lisa E. Cowart, Comment: Legislative Prerogative vs. Judicial Discretion: California’s Three Strikes Law Takes A Hit, 47 DePaul L.Rev. 615 (1998). Such an alternative would not benefit this Commonwealth and would send a message that our judiciary is not equipped to determine a sentence that would protect the public safety. I believe our judiciary has the experience, ability and common sense to determine each individual sentence on a case-by-case basis. Each day our trial courts mete out sentences with public safety in mind. A sentence imposed pursuant to § 9714(a)(2) should not be any different.
¶ 3 In the instant case, the Appellant is a dangerous and violent repeat sex offender who preys upon the frailties of defenseless elderly women. Under the facts and circumstances of this case, the trial court properly determined that a sentence of twenty-five (25) to fifty (50) years imprisonment was insufficient to protect the public safety.