Judge's Bombshell Ruling Rocks Criminal Court Nashville: "Exceptional Sentence"

Webthe existence of an aggravating factor may support an exceptional sentence. Webthe facts admitted in his plea, standing alone, supported a maximum. Webon direct appeal, the court of criminal appeals affirmed the defendants'. Webgenerally, the court cannot reduce mandatory enhancements: Webwhile many of the factors that a judge may consider in imposing an exceptional.

Webboth in his motion for new trial and on appeal to the court of criminal. Webthe supreme court concluded that the defendant’s constitutional rights had been violated because the judge had imposed a sentence greater than the maximum he could have imposed under state law without the challenged factual finding. Webif you've been convicted at trial or you've taken a plea agreement in a felony criminal.