Com. v. Eby
Decision Date | 04 October 2001 |
Citation | 784 A.2d 204 |
Parties | COMMONWEALTH of Pennsylvania, Appellee, v. David E. EBY, Appellant. |
Court | Pennsylvania Superior Court |
Ken Mummah, Mifflin, for appellant.
Andrew L. Winder, Asst. Dist. Atty., Mifflintown, for Commonwealth, appellee.
Before: McEWEN, President Judge Emeritus, TODD, and HESTER, JJ.
¶ 1 This direct appeal has been taken from the judgment of sentence to serve a term of imprisonment of from six months to eighteen months, imposed after appellant, David Eby, pleaded guilty to the offense of possession with intent to deliver marijuana. We are constrained to vacate and remand for resentencing.
¶ 2 The trial judge has aptly summarized the facts underlying this appeal:
¶ 3 Appellant argues that the trial court abused its discretion by imposing a sentence in excess of the aggravated range of the sentencing guidelines.2 This Court may only reach the merits of an appeal challenging the discretionary aspects of sentence "where it appears that there is a substantial question that the sentence imposed is not appropriate under the Sentencing Code." Commonwealth v. Urrutia, 439 Pa.Super. 227, 653 A.2d 706, 710 (1995),appeal denied, 541 Pa. 625, 661 A.2d 873 (1995). A substantial question will be found where the defendant advances a colorable argument that the sentence imposed is either inconsistent with a specific provision of the code or is contrary to the fundamental norms which underlie the sentencing process. Commonwealth v. Maneval, 455 Pa.Super. 483, 688 A.2d 1198, 1200 (1997). A claim that the sentencing court imposed an unreasonable sentence by sentencing outside the guideline ranges presents a "substantial question" for our review. Commonwealth v. Hess, 745 A.2d 29, 30 n. 3 (Pa.Super.2000); Commonwealth v. Davis, 737 A.2d 792, 798 (Pa.Super.1999); Commonwealth v. Rodda, 723 A.2d 212, 214 (Pa.Super.1999) (en banc). Because appellant has presented a substantial question, we may proceed to a review of the discretionary aspects of the sentence.
¶ 4 As our distinguished President Judge Emeritus William F. Cercone opined for this Court in Commonwealth v. Davis:
[Commonwealth v. Gibson], 716 A.2d at 1276-1277 (quoting Commonwealth v. Johnson, 446 Pa.Super. 192, 666 A.2d 690, 693 (1995)).
When evaluating a claim of this type, it is necessary to remember that the sentencing guidelines are advisory only. Gibson, 716 A.2d at 1277. If the sentencing court deems it appropriate to sentence outside the guidelines, it may do so as long as it offers reasons. Id. "[O]ur Supreme Court has indicated that if the sentencing court proffers reasons indicating that its decision to depart from the guidelines is not un reasonable, we must affirm a sentence that falls outside those guidelines ...." Id. (citing Commonwealth v. Smith, 543 Pa. 566, 673 A.2d 893 (1996) (emphasis in original)). As we very recently stated in Commonwealth v. Guth, in exercising its discretion, the trial court must consider the character of the defendant and the particular circumstances of the offense, and must impose a sentence that is consistent with the protection of the public, the gravity of the offense, and the rehabilitative needs of the defendant. Commonwealth v. Guth, 735 A.2d 709, 711 (Pa.Super.1999).
Commonwealth v. Davis, supra, 737 A.2d at 798-99. See also: Commonwealth v. Koehler, 558 Pa. 334, 370, 737 A.2d 225, 244 (1999),
cert. denied, 531 U.S. 829, 121 S.Ct. 79, 148 L.Ed.2d 41 (2000).
¶ 5 In the instant case, the standard range of the sentencing guidelines provided for a minimum sentence of restorative sanctions to one month imprisonment, while the aggravated range provided for a minimum sentence of up to four months imprisonment. Appellant was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of from six months to eighteen months, a sentence well in excess of the aggravated range. The sentencing court recited at the sentencing hearing the applicable guideline ranges, expressed an intent to impose a sentence in excess of the guidelines, and provided the following justification for the sentence selected:
¶ 6 Careful reflection upon the reasons recited by the court compels the conclusion that the court abused its discretion in imposing this sentence. When a sentencing court makes the decision to deviate from the sentencing guidelines, "it is especially important that the court consider all factors relevant to the determination of a proper sentence." Commonwealth v. Ruffo, 360 Pa.Super. 180, 520 A.2d 43, 47 (1987). This means that a sentencing court must give consideration not only to the nature of the crime, but also to the individual character and circumstances of the offender. See: 42 Pa.C.S. § 9721(b). The court in the instant case, however, focused solely upon the perceived seriousness of the offense, and made no mention of the individual character or circumstances of the appellant, factors which would certainly have benefited appellant as the pre-sentence investigation report indicates that appellant is a high school graduate, that he has a positive work history and no prior criminal record, that he lives with his mother and stepfather, that while he formerly abused drugs and alcohol, he no longer...
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