ÿWPCt óv&í £î‚îë*îÝÈÔy¶±'6ˆ \¢ªÉpÀâÞ·ñ^i Q²R`Æ¢yŠú9l2[˜-¼=Æä˜ä²\o ‡% Býçi´ØÂrZ•.ü_§w—ˆ±æ/¨Ø$$ý!‰‰ùÉÝÈHybji‡ÌxêaÎOÎyá¼ù)tè}cRtv„FeˆÔ8”Ï9–‹L»(zL˜õž®ª}È'ãˆT­MB ÿ¿PRËÈB2:sÞ‰/ÃÔÕ@æÛRúÕˆTó²|ˆâaþ¹ÆêЊEŠ´h°¬àÃ}ló-„òFOKÃHƒŸé}ì›øµÌ‰e»Ilžö@˜O|&‰eþÃðK dŒU…ÜbVÅMæÁ…ÁÌÙGr1ŠðmûRd–D°§×¬lç·",Öÿ³l«O—€wc ý«N cc:þù>@Xç÷Eñ24ÅâoüRcóL§l‹â5êQuÈg.ÌÒš^fÕ:.غ’4Åcµ‡ _}Íʹ¡ýºf¸‘wƒÝ»9ZI£ ÙÀ[h§ÇqÞØÆ©i~¶Àj=Ìôß–F¿NíæØcœ-LP¦†7Ù+¾„B4¹í{N™ëXÄÔ(¥A!µÍ±Ø‘e#Á† %G U@M 0ˆ U N ^ c wo zs Òí 4¿ Ó â mä Æû ÆÁ Ƈ ÆMNE333333333333333333333333b555555555555555555555555555555555555 0ë==== B(( 0¤E D3é D- 0KII AS”Æç 0¤­ 0DQ A«••• 04@˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»(ÆúI Z‹(Times New Roman (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman RegularT˜h+s  ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt8n_+˜C”õ k1”9¡3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5  Ñ F Ñ- ù-(|G2 Â$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€AÝ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôìò»»Ô d(|3Œ$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€AÝ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3Œ$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€AÝ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKK&c$"ð"ðà0 àÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€AÝ»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼AÝ»»»ÔÑ8€‘XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼AÝ»»¼AÝÔÑ€LÑà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îˆ}AÝÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼AÝ»îîˆ}<#ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓAssigned€on€Briefs€August€2,€2001Ð üL ÐÔ‡X‘X»¼AÝÔÌò òÔ#†¼AÝ»XX‘.#ÔBILLY€R.€Ô_ÔSADLERÔ_Ôòòóó€v.€TENNESSEE€BOARD€OF€PROBATION€Ð úJ ÐAND€PAROLEòòóóÔ‡X‘X»¼AÝÔó óÐ  ^ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò ò€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Davidson€CountyÐ  ^ Ðà@@øøìàNo.€00„457„III€€€€€€Ellen€Ô_ÔHobbsÔ_Ô€Lyle,€ChancellorÐ ú J ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<½` AßÐ ¾  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2001„02341„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€November€8,€Ô_Ô2001Ô_ÔÐ ¹  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ ‘á  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓA€prisoner€who€was€denied€parole€filed€a€Petition€for€Writ€of€Certiorari,€challenging,€onÐ ŒÜ Ðconstitutional€grounds,€the€procedures€followed€by€the€Parole€Board.€€The€trial€court€dismissed€theÐ xÈ Ðpetition.€€We€affirm.Ô#†¼AÝ»XX‘ï#ÔÔ‡X‘X»¼AÝÔÐ d´ ÐÓZÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Courtó óÐ <Œ Ðò òAffirmed€and€Remandedó óÐ (x ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼AÝ»àX‘„#ÔÔ‡X‘X.¼AÝÔBen€H.€Ô_ÔCantrellÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,€M.S.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòWilliam€C.€Koch,€Jr.óóÐ P Ðand€òòWilliam€B.€Cain,€JJ.óó,€joined.Ð ì< ÐÌBilly€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔTiptonvilleÔ_Ô,€Tennessee,€Pro€Se.Ð Ä ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter;€Michael€Moore,€Solicitor€General;€Kimberly€J.Ð œì ÐDean,€Deputy€Attorney€General,€for€the€appellee,€State€of€Tennessee.Ð ˆØ ÐÓ]ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼AÝ»XX‘Œ#ÔÔ‡X‘X»¼AÝÔÐ `!°  ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼AÝ»XX‘3 #ÔÔ‡X‘X»¼AÝÔÓ  ÓÓÓà@¬¬)ìàò òI.ó óˆÐ 8#ˆ" ÐÓÓà  àBilly€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ô,€an€inmate€at€the€Northwest€Correctional€Complex,€was€convicted€of€secondÐ %` $ Ðdegree€murder€in€1977,€and€sentenced€to€life€imprisonment.€€He€went€before€the€Board€of€ParolesÐ ü%L!% Ðon€December€9,€1999.€€A€majority€of€the€Board€voted€to€deny€him€parole€on€the€grounds€that€toÐ è&8"& Ðrelease€him€at€that€time€would€depreciate€the€seriousness€of€his€crime,€and€that€it€would€have€aÐ Ô'$#' Ðsubstantially€adverse€effect€on€institutional€discipline.€€His€next€hearing€was€scheduled€for€DecemberÐ À($( Ðof€2001.Ð ¬)ü$) ÐÌà  àMr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ô€then€filed€a€pro€se€Petition€for€Writ€of€Certiorari€accompanied€by€a€Motion€toÐ „+Ô&+ Ðâ âProceed€in€Forma€Ô_ÔPauperisÔ_Ô.€In€his€petition,€he€asked€the€court€for€three€far„reaching€rulingsÐ p,À',ý Ðinvolving€the€parole€statutes,€any€of€which,€if€granted,€might€invalidate€the€Parole€Boardððs€decisionÐ ° Ðin€his€case€(though€it€would€not€necessarily€lead€to€his€release).Ð œì Ðâ âÌà  àThe€prisoner€asked€the€court€to€declare€Tenn.€Code.€Ann.€ðð€40„28„115€unconstitutionalÐ tÄ Ðbecause€it€allegedly€violates€the€separation€of€powers;€to€find€that€the€application€of€a€number€ofÐ `° Ðdifferent€statutes€to€his€case€amounts€to€a€violation€of€the€prohibition€against€ex€post€facto€laws;€andÐ L œ Ðto€hold€that€the€rules€of€the€Board€of€Pardons€and€Paroles€(a€body€which€was€abolished€in€1979)€areÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€only€rules€that€the€current€Parole€Board€should€be€allowed€to€follow€in€his€case.€€Ð $ t ÐÌà  àMr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ô€subsequently€filed€several€motions.€€One€was€a€Motion€for€Discovery,€to€compelÐ ü L  Ðthe€Parole€Board€to€prepare€a€written€transcript€of€his€parole€hearing.€€The€trial€court€denied€theÐ è 8  Ðmotion,€because€the€court€is€not€authorized€to€grant€discovery€before€the€petitioner€makes€a€properÐ Ô$  Ðdiscovery€request€to€opposing€counsel€pursuant€to€the€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure.€€The€court€noted€inÐ À  Ða€later€Memorandum€and€Order€that€petitions€for€writ€of€certiorari€usually€proceed€on€the€record,€andÐ ¬ü  Ðthat€typically,€discovery€is€not€permitted.€Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àMr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ô€also€filed€a€Motion€to€Amend€his€Complaint€and€a€Motion€for€Default€Judgment.Ð pÀ ÐThe€Motion€to€Amend€was€granted.€€In€his€Motion€for€Default€Judgment,€Mr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ô€complained€thatÐ \¬ Ðthe€State€had€not€responded€to€his€petition.€€However,€the€court€noted€in€a€Memorandum€and€OrderÐ H˜ Ðfiled€on€May€9,€2000,€that€the€petitioner€had€not€filed€the€affidavit€required€by€Tenn.€Code.€Ann.€ððÐ 4„ Ð41„21„801€when€inmates€file€in€forma€Ô_ÔpauperisÔ_Ô,€and€therefore€that€the€State€had€never€been€served.Ð  p ÐÌà  àAfter€Mr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ô€was€informed€of€this€omission,€he€filed€the€required€affidavit.€€The€StateÐ øH Ðsubsequently€filed€a€timely€motion€for€an€extension€of€time€in€which€to€respond€to€his€petition.€Mr.Ð ä4 ÐÔ_ÔSadlerÔ_Ô€also€filed€a€second€Motion€to€Amend.€€The€trial€court€filed€a€Memorandum€and€Order€on€theÐ Ð  Ðpending€motions€on€June€28,€2000.€€The€court€denied€Mr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ôððs€Motion€for€Default€Judgment,Ð ¼  Ðgave€the€State€until€July€14,€2000€to€file€a€response€to€Mr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ôððs€petition,€and€denied€Mr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_ÔððsÐ ¨ø Ðsecond€Motion€to€Amend,€because€he€failed€to€attach€a€copy€of€his€proposed€amendment€to€hisÐ ”ä Ðmotion.€Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àOn€July€14,€2000,€the€State€filed€a€Motion€to€Dismiss€and/or€for€Summary€Judgment.€€ShortlyÐ X ¨ Ðthereafter,€Mr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ô€filed€another€Motion€for€Default€Judgment.€€On€September€8,€2000,€the€trialÐ D!” Ðcourt€filed€its€final€Memorandum€and€Order€in€this€case.€€The€court€denied€Mr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ôððs€Motion€forÐ 0"€  ÐDefault€Judgment,€and€granted€the€Stateððs€Motion€to€Dismiss.€€This€appeal€followed.Ð #l! ÐÌà@77ìàò òII.òò€€Separation€of€Powers€óóó óˆÐ ô$D # ÐÌà  àMr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ôððs€first€argument€on€appeal€is€that€Tenn.€Code.€Ann.€ðð€40„28„115(c),€which€dealsÐ Ì&"% Ðwith€the€jurisdiction€of€the€Parole€Board,€is€unconstitutional€because€it€violates€the€separation€ofÐ ¸'#& Ðpowers€mandated€by€the€U.S.€and€Tennessee€Constitutions.€€The€statute€in€question€simply€reads,Ð ¤(ô#' Ðð ð[Ô_Ôt]heÔ_Ô€action€of€the€board€in€releasing€prisoners€shall€be€deemed€a€judicial€function€and€shall€not€beÐ )à$( ÐÔ_ÔreviewableÔ_Ô€if€done€according€to€law.ðð€Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* ÐÔ_Ôà  àOf€course,€the€United€States€Constitution€is€not€relevant€to€our€inquiry,€because€it€does€notÐ ° Ðgovern€the€relationships€between€the€different€branches€of€Tennessee€government.€€However,€ArticleÐ œì ÐII,€ðð€1€of€the€Tennessee€Constitution€does€divide€the€stateððs€government€into€ð ðthree€distinctÐ ˆØ Ðdepartments:€the€legislative,€executive,€and€judicial,ðð€while€Article€II,€ðð€2€declares€that€ð ðNo€personÐ tÄ Ðor€persons€belonging€to€one€of€these€departments€shall€exercise€any€of€the€powers€properly€belongingÐ `° Ðto€either€of€the€others,€except€in€the€cases€herein€directed€or€permitted.ððÐ L œ ÐÌà  àWe€believe,€however,€that€exercising€a€judicial€function€is€not€the€same€as€being€the€recipientÐ $ t Ðof€a€delegated€power€that€properly€belongs€to€the€judicial€branch.€€The€exercise€of€a€judicial€functionÐ  ` Ðimplies€the€use€of€judgment€or€discretion€to€apply€the€law€to€a€set€of€facts.€€It€also€may€imply€anÐ ü L  Ðorderly€process€for€assembling€those€facts,€and€the€creation€of€some€kind€of€record€of€that€processÐ è 8  Ðand€its€results.Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àThere€are€many€boards€and€agencies€of€the€executive€branch,€as€well€as€subdivisions€of€stateÐ ¬ü  Ðgovernment,€that€exercise€judicial€functions,€including€the€Civil€Service€Commission,€numerousÐ ˜è  Ðboards€of€professional€Ô_ÔlicensureÔ_Ô,€beer€boards,€and€local€zoning€boards.€€Likewise,€when€theÐ „Ô  Ðlegislature€tries€impeachments€under€Article€V,€ðð€4,€it€may€be€said€to€be€exercising€a€judicialÐ pÀ Ðfunction.€€€€€Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àWe€note€that€the€Article€III,€ðð€6€gives€the€governor€the€ð ðpower€to€grant€reprieves€and€pardons,Ð 4„ Ðafter€conviction,€except€in€cases€of€impeachmentðð€and€that€a€portion€of€that€power€has€beenÐ  p Ðdelegated€to€the€Board€of€Paroles.€€Thus,€when€the€Board€determines€whether€or€not€a€prisonerÐ  \ Ðshould€be€paroled,€it€is€exercising€one€of€the€powers€that€properly€belongs€to€the€executive€branch.Ð øH ÐÌà  àWhile€it€is€unclear€to€us€why€the€legislature€found€it€necessary€to€state€that€the€action€of€theÐ Ð  ÐBoard€in€releasing€prisoners€shall€be€deemed€a€judicial€function,€the€effect€of€Tenn.€Code.€Ann.€ððÐ ¼  Ð40„28„115(c)€is€to€limit€(but€not€totally€eliminate)€the€role€the€judiciary€may€assume€in€reviewingÐ ¨ø Ðparole€decisions.€€The€statute€prevents€the€courts€from€substituting€their€own€judgment€for€that€ofÐ ”ä Ðthe€Parole€Board.€€However,€under€their€constitutional€power€to€issue€writs€of€certiorari,€the€courtsÐ €Ð Ðmay€consider€allegations€that€the€Board€did€not€reach€a€decision€in€a€lawful€manner.€€òòSeeóó€Article€VI,Ð l¼ Ððð€10,€òòPowell€v.€Parole€Eligibility€Review€Boardóó,€879€S.W.2d€871€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1994).Ð X ¨ ÐÌà@__ìàò òIII.€€òòEx€Post€Facto€Argumentsóóó óˆÐ 0"€  ÐÌà  àMr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ô€argues€that€Tenn.€Code.€Ann.€ðððð€40„35„501(h),€40„35„503(b),€and€40„28„105(d)Ð $X" Ðare€illegal€ex€post€facto€laws€as€they€relate€to€him,€because€they€were€all€enacted€after€the€date€he€wasÐ ô$D # Ðsentenced.€€However,€in€order€for€a€penal€statute€to€run€afoul€of€the€Ex€Post€Facto€Clause,€twoÐ à%0!$ Ðelements€must€be€present.€€ð ðFirst,€the€law€must€apply€retrospectively€to€events€occurring€before€itsÐ Ì&"% Ðenactment.€€Second,€the€law€must€disadvantage€the€offender€affected€by€it.ðð€òò€Ô_ÔKaylorÔ_Ô€v.€Bradleyóó,€912Ð ¸'#& ÐS.W.2d€728,€732€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1995).€€While€there€is€no€dispute€that€the€present€versions€of€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðabove€statutes€were€enacted€after€the€date€of€Mr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ôððs€conviction,€he€has€not€demonstrated€thatÐ )à$( Ðhe€has€been€disadvantaged€by€the€application€of€these€statutes€to€his€parole€hearing,€to€the€extentÐ |*Ì%) Ðnecessary€to€state€an€ex€post€facto€claim.€òòóóÐ h+¸&* Ðà@ggìàò òòòa.€€Tenn.€Code.€Ann.€ðð€40„35„501óóó óˆÐ ° ÐÌà  àTenn.€Code.€Ann.€ðð€40„35„501€is€a€section€of€the€Criminal€Sentencing€Reform€Act€of€1989Ð ˆØ Ðthat€deals€with€release€eligibility.€€Tenn.€Code.€Ann.€ðð€40„35„501(h)€apparently€requires€all€prisonersÐ tÄ Ðsentenced€to€life€to€serve€at€least€twenty„five€years€of€their€sentences€before€being€released€on€parole,Ð `° Ðregardless€of€any€sentence€credits€earned€or€any€plan€instituted€to€reduce€prison€overcrowding.€€WeÐ L œ Ðsay€ð ðapparentlyðð€because€a€part€of€the€statute€refers€to€defendants€sentenced€to€life€for€first€degreeÐ 8 ˆ Ðmurder,€while€another€part€simply€refers€to€ð ða€defendant€sentenced€to€imprisonment€for€life.ððÐ $ t ÐÌà  àMr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ô€contends€that€his€parole€eligibility€date€should€not€be€governed€by€Tenn.€CodeÐ ü L  ÐAnn.€ðð€40„35„501,€because€that€statute€was€enacted€after€his€conviction€and€sentencing.€€He€arguesÐ è 8  Ðthat€he€is€entitled€to€have€his€parole€eligibility€date€calculated€in€accordance€with€the€law€in€effectÐ Ô$  Ðat€the€time€he€was€sentenced.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„35„117.€€Ð À  ÐÌà  àThe€petitioner€may€well€be€correct.€€However,€there€is€nothing€in€the€record,€or€in€Mr.Ð ˜è  ÐÔ_ÔSadlerÔ_Ôððs€arguments,€to€indicate€how€his€release€eligibility€date€was€calculated€(including€what€statuteÐ „Ô  Ðit€was€based€upon),€or€what€the€correct€date€would€have€been€if€the€calculations€had€been€based€uponÐ pÀ Ðthe€law€in€effect€in€1977.€€Further,€it€is€the€Department€of€Correction€that€calculates€release€eligibilityÐ \¬ Ðdates€for€inmates,€not€the€Board€of€Paroles.€€Therefore,€Mr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ô€has€neither€stated€facts€that€wouldÐ H˜ Ðentitle€him€to€relief,€nor€named€a€defendant€with€the€power€to€respond€to€his€claim.€€Finally,€it€alsoÐ 4„ Ðappears€that€this€claim€has€become€moot,€since€his€eligibility€for€release€is€no€longer€in€question.Ð  p ÐÌà@ìàò òòòb.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„35„503(b)óóó óˆÐ øH ÐÌà  àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40-35-503€is€likewise€incorporated€into€the€Criminal€Sentencing€ReformÐ Ð  ÐAct€of€1989.€€It€reads€in€pertinent€part,Ð ¼  ÐÒ°ÒÒ°Òà ` àÌà ` à(b)€Release€on€parole€is€a€privilege€and€not€a€right,€and€no€inmate€convictedÐ ”ä Ðshall€be€granted€parole€if€the€board€finds€that:Ð €Ð Ðà ` à(1)€There€is€a€substantial€risk€that€the€defendant€will€not€conform€to€theÐ l¼ Ðconditions€of€the€release€program;Ð X ¨ Ðà ` à(2)€The€release€from€custody€at€the€time€would€depreciate€the€seriousness€ofÐ D!” Ðthe€crime€of€which€the€defendant€stands€convicted€or€promote€disrespect€for€the€law;Ð 0"€  Ðà ` à(3)€The€release€from€custody€at€the€time€would€have€a€substantially€adverseÐ #l! Ðeffect€on€institutional€discipline;€orÐ $X" Ðà ` à(4)€.€.€.€.Ð ô$D # ÐÌÒ°ÒÒ°Òà  àMr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ô€argues€that€rather€than€making€a€parole€decision€based€on€the€1989€statute,€theÐ Ì&"% ÐBoard€should€have€made€use€of€a€prior€rule€of€the€Board€of€Paroles€(since€repealed)€which€provided,Ð ¸'#& ÐÒ°ÒÒ°ÒÌ(1)€The€board€operates€under€the€presumption€that€each€resident€who€is€eligible€forÐ )à$( Ðparole€is€a€worthy€candidate,€and€thus€the€Board€presumes€that€he€will€be€released€onÐ |*Ì%) Ðparole€when€he€is€first€eligible.€Ð h+¸&* ЇÒ°ÒÒ°Òà  àHowever,€that€argument€was€foreclosed€by€this€court€in€the€case€of€òòÔ_ÔKaylorÔ_Ô€v.€Bradleyóó,€912Ð ° ÐS.W.2d€728€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.1995).€€In€that€case,€we€ruled€that€the€regulation€was€invalid€even€beforeÐ œì Ðit€was€repealed,€because€it€created€a€presumption€that€was€inconsistent€with€the€Parole€BoardððsÐ ˆØ Ðstatutory€obligation€to€determine€parole€on€an€individualized€case„by„case€basis.€à x àÐ tÄ ÐÌà  àFurther,€we€note€that€the€language€deeming€parole€to€be€a€privilege€and€not€a€right€was€firstÐ L œ Ðincorporated€into€the€Tennessee€Code€in€1961.€€[Acts€1961,€ch.€93,€ðð€11].€€Moreover€numerous€casesÐ 8 ˆ Ðbefore€and€after€that€date€have€affirmed€that€a€prisoner€has€no€absolute€right€to€be€released€on€parole,Ð $ t Ðeven€if€he€has€an€unblemished€disciplinary€conduct€record,€and€has€served€the€minimum€term€for€hisÐ  ` Ðoffense.€òò€Robinson€v.€Ô_ÔTraughberÔ_Ôóó,€13€S.W.3d€361€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1999);€òòState€ex€rel.€Wade€v.Ð ü L  ÐÔ_ÔNorvellÔ_Ôóó,€443€S.W.2d€839€(Tenn.€Ô_ÔCrimÔ_Ô.€App.€1969);€òòGraham€v.€Stateóó,€304€S.W.2d€622€(Tenn.€1957);Ð è 8  ÐòòOliver€v.€Stateóó,€87€S.W.2d€566€(Tenn.€1935).Ð Ô$  ÐÌà@€€ìàò òòòc.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„28„105óóó óˆÐ ¬ü  ÐÌà  àIn€1979,€the€Board€of€Pardons€and€Paroles€was€abolished,€and€replaced€by€the€seven€memberÐ „Ô  ÐBoard€of€Paroles.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€€40„28„101,€et€seq.€sets€out€the€powers€and€duties€of€this€body,Ð pÀ Ðas€well€as€the€procedures€the€Board€is€required€to€follow€to€determine€whether€or€not€an€inmateÐ \¬ Ðshould€be€granted€parole.€Ð H˜ Ѐ€Ð 4„ Ðà  àMr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ô€argues€in€a€general€way€that€the€procedures€applicable€to€the€abolished€Board€ofÐ  p ÐPardons€and€Paroles€are€the€ones€that€the€Board€of€Paroles€should€have€followed€in€his€case.€HeÐ  \ Ðparticularly€objects€to€the€requirement€in€40„28„105(d)(4)€that€four€board€members€concur€beforeÐ øH Ðparole€is€granted€to€inmates€convicted€of€certain€offenses,€including€second€degree€murder.€€UnderÐ ä4 Ðprior€law,€the€concurrence€of€only€three€board€members€was€required€before€such€inmates€could€beÐ Ð  Ðparoled.Ð ¼  ÐÌà  àHowever,€in€order€to€state€an€ex€post€facto€claim€in€a€case€involving€changes€in€paroleÐ ”ä Ðregulations,€the€inmate€must€show€more€than€a€slight€possibility€of€a€more€favorable€outcome€underÐ €Ð Ðprior€regulations.€€òòSee€Wilson€v.€Stateóó,€980€S.W.2d€196€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998);€òòCaliforniaÐ l¼ ÐDepartment€of€Corrections€v.€Morales,óó€514€U.S.€499€(1995).Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àIn€this€case,€the€only€four€members€of€the€Parole€Board€to€cast€a€vote€on€Mr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ôððs€paroleÐ 0"€  Ðvoted€not€to€release€him,€thus€rendering€it€mathematically€impossible€for€him€to€obtain€the€requiredÐ #l! Ðnumber€of€votes€from€the€seven„member€Board.€€However,€the€appellant€has€not€suggested€anyÐ $X" Ðreason€why€any€one€of€the€non„voting€members€might€have€reached€a€different€conclusion,€let€aloneÐ ô$D # Ðall€three€of€them.€€òòóóThus€he€has€not€demonstrated€that€he€was€disadvantaged€to€the€extent€necessaryÐ à%0!$ Ðto€state€an€ex€post€facto€violation.€€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà0  àà ° àÐ (#(# ÐÌÌÐ h+¸&* ÐÑLÑâ âÑF°Ñâ âÑ  Ñà@ìì ìàò òIV.€€òòFrivolous€Appealóóó óˆÐ F ÐÌà  àTenn.€Code.€Ann.€ðð€27„1„122€gives€this€court€the€authority€to€assess€damages€for€appealsÐ Ø Ðwhich€it€deems€to€be€frivolous.€A€frivolous€appeal€is€one€that€presents€no€justiciable€question,€andÐ  Ä Ðwhich€is€so€devoid€of€merit€on€its€face,€that€there€is€no€reasonable€possibility€that€it€can€succeed.€€òòSeeóóÐ ö° ÐBlackððs€Law€Dictionary€(4òòthóó€ed.€1961).Ð â œ ÐÌà  àPossible€sanctions€for€frivolous€appeals€include€court€costs,€interest€on€any€judgmentÐ º t Ðassessed,€and€expenses€incurred€by€the€appellee€as€a€result€of€the€appeal.€Ð ¦ ` ÐÌà  à€Tenn.€Code.€Ann.€ðð€€41-21-816€makes€it€possible€for€the€Commissioner€of€Correction€toÐ ~8  Ðimpose€still€further€sanctions.€€That€statute€reads€in€its€entirety:Ð j$  ÐÌà8  àà ` à(a)€The€commissioner€shall€forfeit€an€inmate's€good€conduct€sentenceÐ Bü  Ðreduction€credits€in€the€amount€specified€by€subdivision€(b)€on:€Ð.è Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(1)€Receipt€by€the€department€of€a€certified€copy€of€a€final€order€of€a€state€orÐ Ô  Ðfederal€court€that€dismisses€as€frivolous€or€malicious€a€claim€or€lawsuit€filed€by€anÐ À Ðinmate€while€the€inmate€was€in€the€custody€of€the€department;€andÐò¬Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(2)€A€determination€that€the€department€has,€on€one€(1)€or€more€occasions,Ð Þ˜ Ðreceived€a€certified€copy€of€a€final€order€of€a€state€or€federal€court€dismissing€asÐ Ê„ Ðfrivolous€or€malicious€a€claim€or€lawsuit€filed€previously€by€the€inmate€while€theÐ ¶p Ðinmate€was€in€the€custody€of€the€department.Т\Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(b)€On€receipt€of€a€final€order€described€by€subdivision€(a)(1),€theÐ ŽH Ðcommissioner€shall€forfeit:Ðz4Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(1)€Sixty€(60)€days€of€an€inmate's€accrued€good€conduct€sentence€reductionÐ f  Ðcredits€if€the€department€has€previously€received€one€(1)€final€order€described€byÐ R  Ðsubdivision€(a)(2);Ð>øÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(2)€One€hundred€twenty€(120)€days€of€an€inmate's€accrued€good€conductÐ *ä Ðsentence€reduction€credits€if€the€department€has€previously€received€two€(2)€finalÐ Ð Ðorders€described€by€subdivision€(a)(2);€€orÐ ¼Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(3)€One€hundred€eighty€(180)€days€of€an€inmate's€accrued€good€conductÐ î ¨ Ðsentence€reduction€credits€if€the€department€has€previously€received€three€(3)€finalÐ Ú!” Ðorders€described€by€subdivision€(a)(2).ÐÆ"€ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà ` à(c)€The€commissioner€may€not€restore€good€conduct€sentence€reductionÐ ²#l! Ðcredits€forfeited€under€this€section€for€any€reason.О$X"Ð Ð  Ðà8  à€Ð Ð Ð  Ðà  àWhile€the€present€case€refers€to€valid€constitutional€principles,€the€appellantððs€arguments€areÐ v&0!$ Ðdevoid€of€merit,€for€the€connections€between€those€principles€and€the€acts€of€which€he€complains€areÐ b'"% Ðtenuous€at€best.€€While€there€is€no€doubt€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ô€feels€strongly€about€the€action€the€paroleÐ N(#& Ðboard€took€in€his€case,€strong€feelings€are€no€substitute€for€valid€legal€arguments.€€€Ð :)ô#' Ðâ âÐ &*à$( Ðà  àIt€thus€appears€to€us€that€there€are€sufficient€grounds€to€find€this€to€be€a€frivolous€appeal.€Ð F ÐHowever,€in€light€of€the€fact€that€the€State€has€not€argued€that€Mr.€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ôððs€appeal€was€frivolous,€weÐ 2ì Ðdecline€at€this€time€to€so€find.Ô#†¼AÝ»XX‘‘ #ÔÔ‡X‘X»¼AÝÔÐ Ø Ðâ âÌà@‹‹)ìàò òV.ˆÐ ö° Ðó óÌà  àThe€order€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€Remand€this€cause€to€the€Chancery€Court€ofÐ Î ˆ ÐDavidson€Count€for€further€proceedings€consistent€with€this€opinion.€€Tax€the€costs€on€appeal€to€theÐ º t Ðappellant,€Billy€Ô_ÔSadlerÔ_Ô.Ð ¦ ` ÐÔ#†¼AÝ»XX‘˜_#ÔÔ€X‘X»¼AÝÔÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à_________________________________________€Ð Bü  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€PRESIDING€JUDGE,€M.S.