The State of Washington, Respondent v. Roy Lee Ammons, Appellants

Summary

The court upheld the constitutionality of Washington's Sentencing Reform Act and affirmed the sentences imposed on all three appellants. It held that the Legislature may structure sentencing discretion and appellate review, that the Act does not violate the privilege against self-incrimination, and that due process permits prior convictions to be established by a preponderance of the evidence without an affirmative showing of their constitutional validity. The court also held that identity of names presumptively establishes identity for purposes of criminal history unless the defendant denies under oath being the person previously convicted.