STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
v. Guilford County
No. 02CRS84204
STEVEN MATTHEW McCLINTON,
Attorney General Roy Cooper, by Assistant Attorney General
Richard H. Bradford, for the State.
Moshera H. Mohamed for defendant-appellant.
TIMMONS-GOODSON, Judge.
Steven Matthew McClinton (defendant)was charged with two
counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon in connection with the 7
May 2002 robbery of the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant located
on West Market Street in Greensboro, North Carolina. Defendant
pled guilty pursuant to a plea agreement to one count of robbery
with a dangerous weapon. In accordance with the plea agreement the
other count of robbery with a dangerous weapon was dismissed, and
the trial court sentenced defendant to a presumptive term of 72-96
months imprisonment. Defendant appeals.
Defendant's sole argument on appeal is that the trial court
erred in sentencing him outside of the presumptive range withoutfinding the necessary aggravating factors. This argument is wholly
without merit.
In the instant case, defendant was convicted of robbery with
a dangerous weapon, a Class D felony. The trial court determined,
without objection, that defendant had one prior conviction, which
resulted in his being a prior record level II offender. The trial
court sentenced defendant to a minimum of 72 months and a maximum
of 96 months imprisonment.
The minimum and maximum sentences for a particular offense is
controlled by G.S. § 15A-1340.17(c) and G.S. § 15A-1340.17(e). The
minimum presumptive sentence for a Class D felony committed by a
level II offender is anywhere from 61 months to 77 months. See N.C.
Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.17(c)(2001). Defendant was then properly
sentenced to a presumptive minimum term of 72 months, which is well
within the 61-77 month range of sentences set out in G.S. § 15A-
1340.17(c). The corresponding maximum term for a 72 month minimum
sentence is 96 months. See N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.17(e).
Contrary to defendant's argument, the record shows that he was
sentenced in the presumptive range of sentences. The trial court
was, therefore, not required to make any written findings in
aggravation. See State v. Bright, 135 N.C. App. 381, 520 S.E.2d 138
(1999) (requiring the trial court to make written findings in
mitigation and/or aggravation when deviating from the presumptive
range of sentences).
Having so concluded, the judgment of the trial court, entered
upon defendant's guilty plea, is affirmed. Affirmed.
Judges CALABRIA and ELMORE concur.
Report per Rule 30(e).
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