Cooper v. State

Robert H. Dudley, Justice.

This case, which involves criminal sentencing procedures, was certified to this Court by the Court of Appeals as it involves the interpretation of an act of the General Assembly, Rule 29 (1) (c).

Sentencing procedures are controlled by statute. Holden v. State, 156 Ark. 521, 247 S.W. 768 (1923). The statute in effect on the date of the commission of the crime is the governing statute. Ark. Const. Art. II, § 17; Easley v. State, 274 Ark. 215, 623 S.W.2d 189 (1981). Here, the appellant pleaded gulity to committing the crime of theft by receiving on January 23, 1978. At…