Pursuant to MCR 7.302(G)(1), in lieu of granting leave to appeal, we reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals, vacate the sentence of the Genesee Circuit Court, and remand this case to the trial court for resentencing. The trial judge failed to offer any valid explanation justifying why he chose to sentence the defendant to 63 months above the sentencing guidelines maximum of 57 months. People v Smith, 482 Mich 292 (2008). On remand, the trial court shall articulate on the record why this level of departure is warranted or resentence the defendant either within the appropriate sentencing guidelines range or articulate on the record why a different level of departure is warranted. Court of Appeals No. 286369.

(dissenting). I dissent from the order remanding this case to the trial court. Applying the analysis of my partial dissent and partial concurrence in People v Babcock, 469 Mich 247, 280-284 (2003), I would affirm the trial court’s decision. The trial court satisfied the requirement for “a substantial and compelling reason” for its departure from the sentencing guidelines, and its decision did not venture beyond the range of principled outcomes under the circumstances. See also my dissent in People v Smith, 482 Mich 292, 325-329 (2008).