
    STATE OF MONTANA, Plaintiff, vs. RONALD MASTERS, JR. Defendant,
    Cause No. DC-06-68
    DECISION
   On February 12, 2007, the defendant was sentenced to a commitment to the Department of Corrections for a term of three (3) years for the offense of Count I: Criminal Possession of Dangerous Drugs, a felony. The court recommended that the defendant be considered for placement in Connections Corrections Program followed by a pre-release center.

On May 4, 2007, the defendant’s application for review of that sentence was heard by the Sentence Review Division of the Montana Supreme Court.

Done in open Court this 4th day of May, 2007.

DATED this 22nd day of May, 2007.

The defendant was present and was represented by Eric Olson. The state was not represented.

Before hearing the application, the defendant was advised that the Sentence Review Division has the authority not only to reduce the sentence or affirm it, but also increase it. The defendant was further advised that there is no appeal from a decision of the Sentence Review Division. The defendant acknowledged the he understood this and stated that he wished to proceed.

Rule 17 of the Rules of the Sentence Review Division of the Supreme Court of Montana provides that “the sentence imposed by the District Court is presumed correct, and the sentence will not be reduced or increased unless it is deemed clearly inadequate or excessive.” (§46-18-904(3), MCA).

The Division finds that the reasons advanced for modification are insufficient to hold that the sentence imposed by the District court is inadequate or excessive.

Therefore, it is the unanimous decision of the Sentence Review Division that the sentence shall be affirmed.

Chairperson, Hon. Randal I. Spaulding, Member, Hon. Katherine Irigoin and Member, Hon. Stewart Stadler.  