Does a sentencing court have to state the reasons for its sentence choice on the record at the time of sentencing?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Gomez, D069537 (Cal. App. 2017):

Section 1170, subdivision (c), provides that a sentencing court "shall state the reasons for its sentence choice on the record at the time of sentencing." In particular, a court's decision to impose consecutive sentences is a sentencing choice that requires a statement on the record of the reasons for that choice. (Cal. Rules of Court., rule 4.406(b)(5).13) When a defendant is convicted of two or more criminal offenses, the court must decide whether the sentences imposed for those offenses should be served concurrently or consecutively. (People v. Rodriguez (2005) 130 Cal.App.4th 1257, 1262; 669, subd. (a).) The court has discretion to impose a term to run concurrently or consecutively. (Rodriguez, at p. 1262.) In so doing, the court shall consider the factors set forth in rule 4.425.

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