Interesting Criminal Sentencing Cases Issued In South Dakota

This week the South Dakota Supreme Court issued a pair of criminal sentencing cases. They are the kind of cases that, on the surface, don’t seem that interesting. Yet, when you look deeper into the cases, they highlight some deeper issues within the criminal justice system. In State v. Cook, the defendant, Mr. Cook, was sentenced to 20 years with 10 suspended for aggravated assault and for being a habitual offender. This happened back in 2009. He appealed his conviction and lost the case years ago. In 2014, Cook sought a modification of his sentence because parts of it were confusing. Due to the nature of the charges, it appeared he was going to be on parole and probation at the same time, etc. Cook wanted his sentence clarified. This week the South Dakota Supreme Court issued a pair of criminal sentencing cases. They are the kind of cases that, on the surface, don’t seem that interesting. Yet, when you look deeper into the cases, they highlight some deeper issues within the criminal justice system. In State v. Cook, the defendant, Mr. Cook, was sentenced to 20 years with 10 suspended for aggravated assault and for being a habitual offender. This happened back in 2009. He appealed his conviction and lost the case years ago. In 2014, Cook sought a modification of his sentence because parts of it were confusing. Due to the nature of the charges, it appeared he was going to be on parole and probation at the same time, etc. Cook wanted his sentence clarified.