Court Opinion

ID: 9958821
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-04-09 22:06:54.394241+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:17:41.738938
License: Public Domain

OhIGINAL                 04/09/2024

            IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA                                Case Number: OP 24-0174

                                        OP 24-0174
                                                                  RLED
ROBERT REICH,
                                                                   APR - 9 2024
                                                                 Bowen Greenwood
                                                                                Court
                                                               aerk of Supreme
                                                                  State of Montana
              Petitioner,

       v.
                                                                      ORDER
RAY VAUGHN, CAPTAIN,
BUTTE-SILVER BOW COUNTY DETENTION
CENTER,

              Respondent.

       Self-represented Petitioner Robert Reich petitions this Court for habeas corpus
relief, indicating that his incarceration is illegal because his bail is excessive. Reich is
being held in the Butte-Silver Bow County Detention Center. We observe that while Reich
served a copy of his Petition to the Attorney General, he did not serve a copy upon the
County Attorney. Section 46-22-206(1), MCA.
       Reich believes his bail of $1,000,000.00 is excessive. He states that he is being held
on five felony charges—robbery, two counts of burglary, theft, and criminal possession of
dangerous drugs. Reich explains that he was told that he would have bail or charges within
72 hours and that, instead, he was held for six days before his initial appearance. He claims
that his Probation and Parole Officer as well as the Butte Police Department conducted an
illegal search of where he was staying. He contends that the seizure of the white powder
Was illegal because it was not his. He alleges that the bail amount is "clearly violating [his]
right to a reasonable bail with no [regard] to the criminal due process." Reich requests his
immediate releise and dismissal of all charges.
       This Court secured a copy of the court's docket sheet. In the Butte-Silver Bow
County District Court, Reich received a sentence in July 2018, and the District Court
revoked his suspended sentence in October 2023. Reich was on probation when he
allegedly committed new offenses. Reich includes a copy of the charging document as
well as the March 6, 2024 Department of Corrections' authorization to pick up and hold a
probationer. The Department of Corrections suggested a $500,000 bond and pointed out
the various investigations for the felony charges, citing to § 46-23-1012, MCA. On
March 8, 2024, the State filed a Petition for Revocation of Suspended Sentence in his 2018
case.
        While Reich contends that his bail is excessive, he has not demonstrated want of
bail, pursuant to § 46-22-103, MCA. The District Court imposed a bail amount, based on
its discretion. This Court has determined that a district court has the discretion to grant or
deny release and bail as well to set conditions. Grafft v. Mont. Fourth Judicial Dist. Ct,
2021 MT 201, ¶ 11, 405 Mont. 192, 492 P.3d 1213. Reich's claims of constitutional
violations are not remedied by a writ of habeas corpus.          Gates v. Missoula County
Comm 'rs, 235 Mont. 261, 262, 766 P.2d 884, 884-85 (1988).
        Reich is not entitled to dismissal of the charges or his immediate release. As a
probationer, Reich was informed of the probationary conditions and that he is subject to
supervision by the Department of Corrections. Section 46-23-1011(1), (3), MCA. We
conclude that Reich is not entitled to habeas corpus relief. When Reich receives a final
judgment, he has the remedy of appealing that decision to this Court. M. R. App. P.
4(5)(b)(i); § 46-20-104(1), MCA. Accordingly,
        IT IS ORDERED that Reich's Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus is DENIED and
DISMISSED.
        The Clerk is directed to provide a copy of this Order to: the Honorable Robert J.
Whelan, District Court Judge; Beth Parks, Clerk of Court, under Cause No. DC-18-103
and to Reich's Defense Counsel; counsel of record; Ann Shea, County Attorney and Aaron
Rains, Deputy County Attomey, along with a copy of Reich's Petition; Ray Vaughn; and
Robert Reich persont
        DATED this 9       day of April, 2024.

                                                                 Chief Justice

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