State v. Thompkins

The Criminal Punishment Code1 is a compilation of statutes that require a scoresheet be prepared to establish the permissible range of sentence the court may impose for defendants charged with a noncapital felony offense, and mandates imposition of at least the minimum guideline sentence unless a valid reason for departure exists.2 Included in this statu*97tory scheme are a number of non-exclusive mitigating grounds for departure that may establish a basis for a more lenient sentence.3 The issue we must resolve is whether competent substantial evidence supports the trial court’s decision to…