Louisiana v. White
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The State charged Defendant Mervin White with driving while intoxicated. After a trial by jury in 2008, he was found guilty as charged. The trial court sentenced him to 20 years' imprisonment at hard labor without opportunity for probation or parole. The appellate court affirmed Defendant's conviction, but vacated his sentence as excessive and reduced it to a term of ten years. The State appealed, arguing that the evidence supported Defendant's 20-year sentence. Upon review of the applicable legal authority, the Supreme Court found that though Defendant's sentence fell within the upper range of sentences, it did not suggest an arbitrary departure "from a sentencing norm that might indicate disproportionate punishment." Accordingly, the Court reversed the appellate court and reinstated Defendant's 20-year sentence.
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