Rule 29.05 Misdemeanors or Felonies - Punishment Reduction by Court

If a judge believes the punishment given in a criminal case is too harsh, the judge has the power to lower it. This applies to both misdemeanors and felonies. The new punishment still has to fall within the range the law allows for that specific crime. The judge cannot go below the legal minimum or ignore the rules about what punishment fits the offense.

This gives judges some flexibility to correct a sentence that seems unfair or overly severe, even after it has been handed down. It does not let a judge give a completely different punishment or ignore the law. It simply allows a reduction, as long as the new sentence still fits within what the law says is allowed for that crime.