
    STATE OF MONTANA, Plaintiff, vs. MICHELLE E. FORD, Defendant.
    No. DC-01-227B
    Decision
   On July 16,2003, the defendant was sentenced to the following: Count I: Tampering With or Fabricating Physical Evidence, a felony: Ten (10) years in the Montana Women’s Prison; Count II: Theft, a felony: Ten (10) years in the Montana Women’s Prison, with three (3) years suspended; and Count TTT: Conspiracy to Commit Deceptive Practices, a felony common scheme: Ten (10) years in the Montana Women’s Prison, with Three (3) years suspended.

DATED this 5th day of April, 2004.

On March 26, 2004, 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 Edward Falla. The state was represented by Ed Corrigan and Kathryn Schulz.

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 she understood this and stated that she 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 26th Day of March, 2004.

Chairperson, Hon. Marc G. Buyske, Member, Hon. Gary L. Day and Member, Hon. John W. Whelan.  