People v. Heller

Defendant, Trenity D. Heller, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine, MCL 333.7403(2)(b)(¿). The trial court sentenced Heller by videoconference, with Heller located in the county jail. Heller’s counsel was present in the courtroom but raised no objection to his client’s physical absence. The sentence imposed departed substantially from the guidelines recommendation.

Sentencing by videoconference plainly contravenes MCR 6.006, which identifies the criminal proceedings in which two-way interactive video technology may be used. Felony sentencing is not one of them. We remand for…