Court Opinion

ID: 9459471
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 21:21:21.440958+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:36:10.528306
License: Public Domain

MATTHES, Chief Judge
(concurring) .
After weighty consideration of all relevant circumstances I have concluded to concur in the majority opinion.
Recognizing the firmly entrenched rule that appellate courts generally will not interfere with the sentence imposed if it is within statutory limits, I am nevertheless persuaded to conclude that, like many rules, it has exceptions. This case is the exceptional one justifying remedial action.
It is hardly debatable that implicit in the imposition of a sentence is the exercise of sound discretion by the sentencing judge. Such exercise encompasses consideration of all relevant factors such as the nature of the offense, the history and background of the defendant, and of course the interest and concerns of society, to mention only a few.
I have been unable to escape the conclusion that the maximum sentence imposed here was the product of an inflexible policy rigidly applied to all offenders of the Selective Service Laws. Such a policy is difficult to defend and condone just as imposition of the maximum sentence on every Dyer Act violator regardless of attending circumstances would be subject to condemnation.