MASON CITY – On Monday, March 12th, 21-year-old Bradley Allen Paulsen of Mason City received a deferred judgment on a class D felony charge of 3rd degree burglary.
The charge stemmed from a criminal complaint by Mason City police following an alleged burglary on August 27th, 2011. Court records show days before a scheduled trial a plea change hearing was set followed by Paulsen entering a written guilty plea.
During the sentencing hearing for the burglary charge District Court Judge Rustin T. Davenport handed down a deferred judgment in the case. As part of the deferred judgment Paulsen must serve 3 years of probation under the supervision of the Iowa Department of Corrections. Judge Davenport also assessed a $750 fine but then suspended it. Paulsen will be responsible in paying $576 in lawyer fees, court costs, and surcharges according to court financial records.
A deferred judgment refers to a postponed or delayed judgment. In a deferred judgment, the court gives a defendant an opportunity to complete a probationary period before sentencing and prior to any entry of conviction. If the defendant successfully completes probation at the conclusion of the probationary period the court will review the defendant’s file and may dismiss the charges against him/her.
If the defendant does not follow all of the terms and conditions of probation the court may enter the conviction and sentence the defendant accordingly. Normally, if a person pleads guilty or is found guilty of new criminal charges the case proceeds to sentencing. When a deferred judgment is obtained the case is frozen between the guilty plea and sentencing.
SUBJECT IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
