Court Opinion

ID: 9688307
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 17:43:09.693007+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:05:51.245616
License: Public Domain

Griffin, J.
(dissenting). I respectfully dissent. I would apply People v Troncoso, 187 Mich App 567; 468 NW2d 287 (1991), and affirm defendant’s sentence.
i
In 1987-1988, the Legislature sought to moderate our previously rigid and uncompromising drug laws by granting sentencing judges discretion to depart from certain presumptive minimum terms if the sentencing courts found on the record that "there are substantial and compelling reasons to do so.” The Senate Analysis of the bill package indicates that the Legislature intended to give the sentencing judges "greater flexibility in making sentencing decisions based on the individual circumstances of a case”:
Also, by allowing judges to depart from the minimum terms, and reducing the minimum for larger quantities, the bill would moderate what has been an uncompromising law and would give judges greater flexibility in making sentencing decisions based on the individual circumstances of *121a case. [Senate Analysis, SB 598, 600, 603, 610, Third Analysis, August 29,1988.]
There is nothing in the language of the statute or its legislative history that limits the discretion of sentencing judges to consideration of only those sentencing factors that are both "objective” and "verifiable.” Such restrictions are neither expressed nor implied in the law. The statute requires the articulated reasons for departure to be "substantial and compelling,” nothing more, nothing less.
The majority has chosen to rewrite the statute at issue. Its use of preamendment legislative history is puzzling. It appears that the majority relies upon the Legislature’s now-discarded intent of permitting no deviation from the mandatory minimums only because there is no support for Downey-Krause in the legislative history of the 1987-1988 amendments.
The test created by the majority is a judicial invention never contemplated by the Legislature. The key terms "objective” and "verifiable” remain undefined and are therefore unworkable. We cannot look to the Legislature for guidance, because the Legislature has not used these terms.
The problem of applying such vague standards is readily apparent in this case. Whether defendant Hill’s substantial family support is an "objective” and "verifiable” sentencing factor is anyone’s guess.
Furthermore, and most importantly, the seven-judge majority is apparently unable to agree on the application of Downey-Krause to the case at issue. Accordingly, the majority decides not to decide. This abdication of responsibility will result in yet another resentencing for Mr. Hill. Although all relevant facts and factors are known, Mr. Hill’s *122fate remains in limbo. If. the drafters of Downey-Krause cannot agree on its application, how can we expect sentencing judges to rationally apply the test?
Downey-Krause is reminiscent of the discarded no-fault automobile insurance threshold standard of an "objectively manifested” injury created by Cassidy v McGovern, 415 Mich 483; 330 NW2d 22 (1982), and eliminated by DiFranco v Pickard, 427 Mich 32; 398 NW2d 896 (1986). In the former opinion, the Supreme Court held that for an injury to exceed the tort threshold of "serious impairment of body function” it was necessary for the injury to be "objectively manifested.” The requirement was construed by our Court to mean that threshold injuries must be subject to "medical measurement.” Williams v Payne, 131 Mich App 403, 409-410; 346 NW2d 564 (1984). Recovery was allowed only for such "verifiable” injuries. Mere subjective complaints unsupported by "objective” findings were deemed insufficient.
Shortly after their judicial promulgation, the "objective,” "verifiable,” and "medical measurement” standards of Cassidy and its progeny were discarded by the Supreme Court as "almost insurmountable obstacle[s]” not intended by the Legislature. DiFranco, supra at 66. Similarly, I believe that the Downey-Krause test ultimately will be overturned by the Supreme Court as an improper exercise of judicial legislation.
Like the majority, I am deeply concerned about the devastating effect of illegal drugs on society. Personally, I favor harsh sentences for all drug dealers. As a judge, however, I am sworn to uphold our constitutions and to apply our laws as written by the Legislature. We must never forget that we are not legislators. Our personal views regarding *123drug policy should not dictate our construction of statutes passed by the Legislature.
In the instant case, I fear that the majority has impermissibly allowed its personal views regarding drug policy to influence its decision. Clearly, the underlying purpose and intent of the majority’s opinion is to impose standards and hurdles that no defendant can overcome. If defendant Hill’s case is not "substantial and compelling,” I am hard-pressed to imagine any case that will pass muster under Downey-Krause.
n
If the statute at issue were construed as intended by the Legislature, the parameters of the limited discretion afforded would become more clearly defined in the course of our case by case review. I would direct careful review of the individual circumstances of each offense and the characteristics of every offender. In doing so, all relevant factors would be considered, including, but not limited to, the nonexhaustive list approved in People v Downey, 183 Mich App 405; 454 NW2d 235 (1990). In addition, the following traditional sentencing factors and objectives would be applied:
Sentencing requires consideration of a number of factors: (1) severity of the crime; (2) the nature of the crime; (3) circumstances surrounding the criminal behavior; (4) defendant’s attitude toward his criminal behavior; (5) defendant’s criminal history; (6) defendant’s social and personal history; and (7) statutory sentencing limits. See [People v] Coles, [417 Mich 523, 548 n 29; 339 NW2d 440 (1983)]. These factors should then be balanced with the objectives of imposing sentence: discipline of the wrongdoer, protection of society, reformation of the offender, and deterrence of others. See Coles, supra, p 550; People v Snow, 386 Mich 586, *124592; 194 NW2d 314 (1972). The result should be a sentence "tailored to the particular circumstances of the case and the offender in an effort to balance both society’s need for protection and its interest in maximizing the offender’s rehabilitative potential.” People v McFarlin, 389 Mich 557, 574; 208 NW2d 504 (1973). [People v Ross, 145 Mich App 483, 495-496; 378 NW2d 517 (1985).]
Although a sentencing judge should not be limited to consideration of sentencing factors that are both "objective” and "verifiable,” I recognize that conduct that may be so characterized may prove to be the most substantial and compelling. I would expect "substantial and compelling reasons” to be found only in exceptional cases, and I doubt that "subjective” considerations, standing alone, will prove to be substantial and compelling. The essence of the limited discretion afforded by the statute has been aptly described as follows:
We believe the sentencing judge captured the essence of the statute when he stated his belief that "it must be something basic, something that would compel a judge to deviate” from the statute. [People v Williams, 189 Mich App 400, 403; 473 NW2d 727 (1991).]
Ill
It is appropriate at this juncture to set forth what I believe is an appropriate standard of review. In this regard, I agree with both Downey and Troncoso that sentencing judges do not possess unfettered discretion to depart and that the presumptive minimum term is the appropriate sentence absent a showing to the contrary. Downey, supra at 416-417. To be sure, the presumptive *125minimum is indeed the point at which to begin in each and every case.
From that point forward, however, the sentencing court must make several determinations. When a defendant proffers reasons in support of a lesser minimum sentence, the court must decide as a matter of fact whether the factors urged upon it by the defendant actually exist. Such findings of fact are subject to review under the clearly erroneous standard.
Assuming the court finds that certain mitigating factors do exist, it must then determine whether they are of sufficient weight and significance to be deemed "substantial and compelling.” Such a determination is most appropriately committed in the first instance to the sound discretion of the sentencing court. I emphasize, however, that the court must exercise sound discretion. Further, the sentencing court must adequately articulate on the record its reasons for departure, and the facts and factors considered must prove to be substantial and compelling. See, e.g., People v Bates, 190 Mich App 281; 475 NW2d 392 (1991); cf. People v Williams, supra. The mere use by the sentencing court of the words "substantial and compelling” will not serve to turn an unjustified departure into a justified one. In such a case, I would not hesitate to find an abuse of discretion.
IV
A
In our previous decision in this case, a panel of this Court concluded that it was the individual characteristics of the defendant, not the facts surrounding the crime, that proved to be "substantial and compelling.” I agree with this assessment of both the offense and the offender.
*126The facts of the crime are tragically common. The young defendant, in need of money to purchase a new automobile, decided to bypass normal economic channels in an attempt to achieve quick riches. Mr. Hill consciously and deliberately entered the market of illegal narcotics, lured by the anticipation of easy profits. I find no facts surrounding the crime that lessen defendant’s culpability to any degree sufficient to permit a downward departure from the presumptive minimum. Cf. People v Bates, supra.1
The amount of cocaine at issue was significant (75.86 grams), and the defendant’s possession of a pager is evidence suggestive of defendant’s experience in the drug trade. Although defendant neither possessed a weapon nor used any violence, I do not find such facts substantial or compelling. On the contrary, had violence or a weapon been used, defendant would be criminally responsible for additional crimes and would be facing multiple sentences.
B
Although I find insufficient mitigating circumstances relating to the offense, I would nevertheless affirm on the basis of the substantial and compelling reasons relating to the offender. As previously noted, the defendant was only nineteen years of age at the time of the offense. He had no prior juvenile or adult record, and this appears to be his first contact with the criminal justice system. Mr. Hill is a recent high school graduate who is strongly supported by a loving father and mother. The statements and showings of support by the defendant’s parents clearly moved and *127influenced Judge Lippitt in his decision to delay sentencing. Although the delay in sentencing may have been improper,21 cannot ignore the fact that it occurred and that defendant’s conduct during this period was exemplary.
On the basis of defendant’s postarrest conduct coupled with his lack of a prior record, substantial family support, and young age, I agree with the Oakland Circuit Court that "substantial and compelling reasons” were present to permit a downward departure from the presumptive minimum sentence. Upon this record, I find no abuse of sentencing discretion.
1 would affirm.3
Danhof, C.J., and Weaver, J., concurred.

 People v Bates is a post-Troncoso decision in which this Court held that the facts of the crime mitigated the defendant’s culpability to a degree that proved to be "substantial and compelling.” I agree with Bates and cite it as an example of our case by case review.

 The delayed sentencing statute applies only to probationable offenses. MCL 771.1(1); MSA 28.1131(1). The present offense is not a probationable offense. MCL 333.7401(3); MSA 14.15(7401)(3).

 Individually, Judge Griffin also dissents on the ground that the Court is without authority to vacate defendant’s sentence and to remand for resentencing when the majority has not ruled the sentence to be invalid. In re Jenkins, 438 Mich 364, 369, n 3; 475 NW2d 279 (1991); People v Whalen, 412 Mich 166, 169-170; 312 NW2d 638 (1991) , and People v James Williams, 437 Mich 1045 (1991) (Boyle, J., dissenting).