Court Opinion

ID: 9858025
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 16:12:24.089642+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:01:25.295632
License: Public Domain

LARSEN, Justice,
concurring.
I join in the majority opinion, but write to express my reservations about the term of probation imposed upon Appellant requiring that he write letters of apology to the family of the deceased victim. In this ease, the testimony of the victim’s mother that “he has not apologized or anything” lends some support to this condition of probation. I counsel caution in imposing such conditions, however, for two separate reasons. First, I believe judicially mandating that criminal defendants experience and express sincere regret for their conduct is not a wise course, as such a requirement is impossible to enforce. Second, and more importantly, it seems that, rather than helping the deceased’s family “get their life back together” as the judge found in this case, the receipt of such letters upon the anniversary of their loved one’s death is more likely to cause the bereaved family needless pain. For these reasons, I believe such a condition of probation is generally ill-advised, and should be sparingly imposed. In this case, however, I believe the implied finding of the judge that such would assist the rehabilitation of the Appellant is supported by some evidence. I also conclude that some evidence supports the judge’s finding that letters of apology would help the family “get their life back together.” For these reasons, I concur.