
    The District Court of the 21st Judicial District. County of Ravalli.
    STATE OF MONTANA, Plaintiff, vs. JASON RINGE, Defendant.
    
      CAUSE NO. DC-09-111 DECISION
   On December 9, 2009, the defendant was sentenced as follows: Count I: A commitment to the Department of Corrections for a period of ten (10) years, with five (5) years suspended, for the offense of Forgery, Common Scheme, a felony. The Court recommends that the defendant be considered for the Connections Corrections Program, followed by a pre-release program. Count II: A commitment to the Ravalli County Detention Center for a period of six (6) months, all suspended, for the offense of Criminal Mischief, a misdemeanor.

On May 7,2010, the defendant’s application for review of that sentence was heard by the Sentence Review Division of the Montana Supreme Court.

The defendant was present and was represented by Eric Olson and Nick Miller. 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 that 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.

Done in open Court this 7th day of May, 2010.

DATED this 26th day of May, 2010.

Chairperson, Hon. Blair Jones, Member, Hon. Richard Simonton and Member, Hon. Ray Dayton.  