PEOPLE OF MI V ROBERT ANTHONY MCNEIL
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
UNPUBLISHED
August 9, 2005
Plaintiff-Appellant,
v
No. 253394
Wayne Circuit Court
LC No. 03-008756
ROBERT ANTHONY MCNEIL,
Defendant-Appellee.
Before: Whitbeck, C.J., and Sawyer and Fitzgerald, JJ.
MEMORANDUM.
I. Overview
Defendant Robert McNeil pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree criminal sexual
conduct (CSC I)1 without the benefit of a plea or sentencing agreement. The applicable statutory
sentencing guidelines established a minimum term range of 27 to 45 months for the offense. The
trial court sentenced McNeil to five years’ probation, with the first year in jail. The prosecutor
appeals by leave granted. We vacate McNeil’s sentence and remand for resentencing. We
decide this appeal without oral argument pursuant to MCR 7.214(E).
II. Sentencing Challenge
A. Standard Of Review
The validity of a sentence presents a question of law that we review de novo.2
B. MCL 771.1(1)
The trial court lacked the authority to sentence McNeil to probation, notwithstanding
McNeil’s participation in counseling and requests from the victim’s family, because MCL
771.1(1) prohibits probation for a defendant convicted of CSC I. We vacate McNeil’s sentence
and remand this case for resentencing. On remand, the trial court must sentence McNeil in
1
MCL 750.520b(1)(a) (victim under thirteen years old).
2
People v Gonzalez, 256 Mich App 212, 229; 663 NW2d 499 (2003).
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accordance with MCL 771.1(1) and the sentencing guidelines. We decline the prosecutor’s
request to order that McNeil be resentenced before a different judge. The trial court did not
indicate that it would refuse to impose sentence in accordance with the law if ordered to do so.3
Vacated and remanded. We do not retain jurisdiction.
/s/ William C. Whitbeck
/s/ David H. Sawyer
/s/ E. Thomas Fitzgerald
3
People v Hill, 221 Mich App 391, 398; 561 NW2d 862 (1997).
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