PEOPLE OF MI V JEREMY ROBERT ROSAS
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
UNPUBLISHED
December 14, 2001
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v
Nos. 221175
Saginaw Circuit Court
LC No. 98-016495-FJ
JAMES ROBERT ROSAS,
Defendant-Appellant.
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v
Nos. 221187
Saginaw Circuit Court
LC No. 98-016494-FJ
JEREMY ROBERT ROSAS,
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: Bandstra, C.J., and Fitzgerald and Gage, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Following a jury trial, each defendant was convicted of four counts of felonious assault,
MCL 750.82, one count of carrying a concealed weapon, MCL 750.227, and possession of a
firearm during the commission of a felony, MCL 750.227b. Each defendant was sentenced to
prison terms of two to four years for the felonious assault conviction, two to five years for the
CCW conviction, and two years for the felony-firearm conviction. In this consolidated appeal,
defendants, who were sixteen years old at the time of the crimes, appeal as of right the sentences
imposed. We affirm.
Docket No. 221175
Defendant James Robert Rosas (“James”) first argues that the trial court abused its
discretion when it sentenced him under MCR 6.931 as an adult. We disagree. The trial court
applied the criteria in MCR 6.931 in determining whether James should be sentenced as an adult.
Although the court determined that James was amenable to treatment, MCR 6.931(c)(i), the court
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also determined that James’ prior criminal and educational record, which included using racial
slurs and inciting violence in school, indicated that he would disrupt the rehabilitation of others
in the program. MCR 6.931(c)(ii). Hence, we find no abuse of discretion in the trial court’s
decision to sentence James as an adult.1
James also argues that his sentence was disproportionate. The sentence imposed is within
the minimum recommended guidelines range and is therefore presumptively proportionate.
People v Broden, 428 Mich 343, 354-355; 408 NW2d 789 (1987). Defendant argues that
sentencing juveniles within the sentencing guidelines results in a disproportionate sentence.
However, age alone does not present an unusual circumstance warranting a downward departure
from the guidelines range. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in fashioning a sentence
that is proportionate to the offense and the offender. People v Milbourn, 435 Mich 630; 461
NW2d 1 (1990).
Docket No. 221187
Defendant Jeremy Robert Rosas (“Jeremy”) argues that the trial court erred in its factual
findings relative to MCR 6.931. We review a trial court’s factual findings for clear error. MCR
2.631(C); People v Swirles (After Remand), 218 Mich App 133, 136; 553 NW2d 357 (1996).
Defendant asserts that the trial court erred when it found that Jeremy was not amenable to
treatment in a juvenile setting because his conduct reflected a pattern of violent behavior that
indicated unamenability to treatment. After a review of the record, we find the trial court did not
err in its factual findings based on Jeremy’s record of violence and weapons charges, including a
concealed weapons arrest just three weeks after the instant offense.
Jeremy also argues that the trial court did not give substantial and compelling reasons for
departing from the sentencing guidelines. People v Rockey, 237 Mich App 74, 79; 601 NW2d
887 (1999). We disagree. The trial court specifically stated that it was exceeding the guidelines
because of Jeremy’s unscored weapons offense. A sentencing court may properly consider the
facts of pending charges. People v Coulter (After Remand), 205 Mich App 453, 456; 517 NW2d
827 (1994). Therefore, no error occurred.
Affirmed.
/s/ Richard A. Bandstra
/s/ E. Thomas Fitzgerald
/s/ Hilda R. Gage
1
James’ contention that the trial court erred in determining that the best method of rehabilitation
for James was in the adult system is misplaced. The trial court did not make this determination.
Rather, the court determined that James’ behavior would be detrimental to others in the juvenile
system.
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