Court Opinion

ID: 9536331
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 06:57:39.312819+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:33:19.841186
License: Public Domain

MB. CHIEF JUSTICE JAMES T. HABBISON,
(specially concurring).
The result reached in the foregoing opinion is correct under the law and I concur in it. However, I do most seriously question the wisdom of the legislature in establishing a statutory presumption for those 21 and under who are guilty of possession or sale of dangerous drugs, as discussed in the opinion. Whether or not one is entitled to a deferred imposition of sentence I feel is better left to the sound discretion of the judge and he should not be held accountable for the exercise of his discretion. The broad provisions with reference to liberal construction, presentence investigations, sentence and judgment contained in Chapter 22 of Title 95, Montana Code of Criminal Procedure, are amply sufficient to take care of any and all problems that may arise. I see no reason for the legislature to attempt to constrict the powers of the judge granted therein.