Court Opinion

ID: 9740322
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 20:32:24.304929+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:17.431196
License: Public Domain

SULLIVAN, Judge,
concurring in part and dissenting in part
I fully concur with respect to Parts I through VII and as to Part X. However, I concur in result with regard to Parts VIII and IX.
As to Part VIII, the facts disclose that Lewis was sentenced to three years upon each Class D conviction to be served consecutively, but with one year suspended as to each count. He was not sentenced to two years upon each count although his *848aggregate executed time to be served would be only four years. The fact remains that the sentences imposed were for three years each. A sentence may not be suspended unless it has first been imposed.
At first glance therefore, it would appear that I.C. 35-50-l-2(c) would prohibit an aggregate sentence of more than four years, which is the presumptive sentence for a Class C felony, the next highest class. Such is not the case however because the statute is phrased not in terms of the sentence imposed, but rather with reference to the “terms of imprisonment” to be served. For this reason, I agree that the sentences imposed were not manifestly unreasonable.
With respect to Part IX, I agree that it was not error to impose both enhanced sentences and to order the sentences to be served consecutively. I do so, however, solely because the record clearly demonstrates the existence of multiple aggrava-tors and the trial court so found. I do not agree with the general statement made by the majority that a single aggravator would have sufficed. My disagreement stems from the statement made by this court in Staton v. State (1994) Ind.App., 640 N.E.2d 741, 743, trans. denied, as follows: “[ojrdinarily, a single aggravating factor should not be used both to impose an enhanced sentence and consecutive sentences.” See also Buchanan v. State (1998) Ind., 699 N.E.2d 655.
Notwithstanding these two caveats, I concur in the affirmance of the convictions and the sentences imposed.