STATE OF MONTANA, Plaintiff, vs. ARTHUR P. KASKE, Defendant, 313 Mont. 62

On August 29, 2000, the defendant was sentenced to the following: Count I: Five (5) years in the Montana State Prison for the offense of Criminal Possession of Dangerous Drugs, a felony; and Count II: Ten (10) years in the Montana State Prison, to run consecutively to the sentence imposed in Count I, for the offense of Bail Jumping, a felony. The defendant was also sentenced to an additional five (5) years in the Montana State Prison for being a Persistent Felony Offender, to be served consecutively to the sentences imposed in Counts I and II.

On November 14, 2002, 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 advised of his right to be represented by counsel. The defendant proceeded without counsel. 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 14th day of November, 2002. DATED this 11th day of December, 2002. Chairman, Hon. David Cybulski; Member, Hon. Katherine R. Curtis and Member, Hon. Marc Buyske.