State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Appellant v. William Acevedo, Jr., Defendant-Respondent

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey held that the failure to state reasons for imposing consecutive sentences does not make the sentence illegal and therefore cannot be altered on a post‑conviction relief petition; excessive‑sentencing arguments are not cognizable in PCR and must be raised on direct appeal. The Court reversed the Appellate Division’s modification of the consecutive sentences and reinstated the Law Division’s denial of relief.