WPC1a T ]Cv68f"p6\~D{ZX[G){- }aF[l2SBz9XiBNO( ࠞ0W\ vB*IՇHW,=!}+^)ɱV#_T呬f$+,GVg< 0~ 0DK  N*UNV*$* 0N*+ /6:];UNs;; F= P@YCEGQJUNEM\M,MNrOsQzU>UUU1@VU.VWPYYN]]^^ 0 6_&`U 6````````````````````````````````````` BaHP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL,,,,0(9 Z6Times New Roman RegularX($USUS.,h}6 Z_5:i+003|xU\  `&Times New Roman(.(3($ !USUS.,      0  (#$  0     ($USUS.,    1    _ 3553ImpositionofSentence     )XXXX(a) FactorsToBeConsideredinImposingaSentence .Thecourtshallimposea  sentencesufficient,butnotgreaterthannecessary,tocomplywiththepurposessetforthin  paragraph(2)ofthissubsection.Thecourt,indeterminingtheparticularsentencetobeimposed, x shallconsider d 9%  ,Kk X9Ӏ(1)thenatureandcircumstancesoftheoffenseandthehistoryB%  ,Kk k Bandcharacteristicsofthe P  defendant; <  B%  ,Kk k BӀ(2)theneedforthesentenceimposed ( x B%  ,Kk k BӀ(A)toreflecttheseriousnessoftheoffense,topromoteB%  ,Kk k Brespectforthelaw,andtoprovide  d justpunishmentfortheB%  ,Kk k Boffense;  P  B%  ,Kk k BӀ(B)toaffordadequatedeterrencetocriminalconduct;  <  B%  ,Kk k BӀ_(C_)toprotectthepublicfromfurthercrimesoftheB%  ,Kk k Bdefendant;and (  B%  ,Kk k BӀ(D)toprovidethedefendantwithneedededucationalorB%  ,Kk k Bvocationaltraining,medicalcare,   orothercorrectionalB%  ,Kk k Btreatmentinthemosteffectivemanner;   B%  ,Kk k BӀ(3)thekindsofsentencesavailable;   B%  ,Kk k BӀ(4)thekindsofsentenceandthesentencingrangeestablishedB%  ,Kk k Bfor   B%  ,Kk k BӀ(A)theapplicablecategoryofoffensecommittedbytheB%  ,Kk k Bapplicablecategoryofdefendant t assetforthintheguidelinesB%  ,Kk k BissuedbytheSentencingCommissionpursuanttosectionB%  ,Kk k B994(a)(1) ` oftitle28,UnitedStatesCode,andthatareinB%  ,Kk k Beffectonthedatethedefendantissentenced;or L 2 B%  ,Kk %#k B)X)X))P)PPPP49P  4XX49#XXX4X̮#)XXXXB%  ,Kk k%#B2   ݀(B)inthecaseofaviolationofprobationorsupervisedB%  ,Kk k Brelease,theapplicableguidelines 8 orpolicystatementsissuedB%  ,Kk k BbytheSentencingCommissionpursuanttosection994(a)(3)ofB%  ,Kk k Btitle $t 28,UnitedStatesCode;2 `݌ ` Ќ)XXX)X)XXX)X)XXX)X)XXX)X)XXX)X)XXX)X)XXX)X)XXX)X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B)X)X))))))P)PPPP49P  #4949 #4XX49#XXX4X #)XXXXB%  ,Kk k%#B2  ݀(5)anypertinentpolicystatementissuedbytheSentencingB%  ,Kk k BCommissionpursuantto28 L  U.S.C.994(a)(2)thatisineffectonB%  ,Kk k Bthedatethedefendantissentenced;2݌  Ќ)XXX)X)XXX)X)XXX)X)XXX)X)XXX)X)XXX)X)XXX)X)XXX)X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B)X)X))))))P)PPPP49P  #4949@#4XX49#XXX4X̂#)XXXXB%  ,Kk k%#B2  ݀(6)theneedtoavoidunwarrantedsentencedisparitiesamongB%  ,Kk k Bdefendantswithsimilar  recordswhohavebeenfoundguiltyofB%  ,Kk k Bsimilarconduct;and2݌  Ќ)XXX)X)XXX)X)XXX)X)XXX)X)XXX)X)XXX)X)XXX)X)XXX)X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B)X)X))))))P)PPPP49P  #4949;##49}#)B%  ,Kk k%#B2  )XX)Ԁ(7)theneedtoproviderestitutiontoanyvictimsoftheB%  ,Kk k Boffense.#)X)X##)D# 3>Mx `6Times New Roman Regularhttp://www.fd.org(O$   ($USUS.,    14    _43 O  5  http://www.fd.org XXXX.6fOz   7 T ԀFromtheopeningpage,gototheBooker/_Fanfan_ԀResourcepage,and  thenscrolldownuntilyoufindthearticleUsingStudiesandStatisticstoRedefinethePurposes  ofSentencing.Furtherdownonthesamepagethereareotherarticlesthatyoullfinduseful,  includingSection3553(a)(2)andthe_USSC_sNewlyReleasedReportsonRecidivismand t PresumptivelyUnreasonable:UsingtheSentencingCommissionsWordstoAttacktheAdvisory ` Guidelines. L  #XXX X#   ($USUS.,    15    _See,e.g.,)XXXXUnitedStatesv._Qualls_,373_F.Supp_.2d873,876877(E.D.Wis.2005)  ( Theremaywellbecasesinwhichthecareeroffenderguidelinecreatessentencesfargreater  thannecessary,suchaswherethequalifyingoffensesaredesignatedcrimesofviolencebutreally  donotsuggestariskjustifyingsuchasentence,fleeingandwalkawayescapecases, t forinstance);UnitedStatesv.Milne,384_F.Supp_.2d1309,1312(E.D.Wis.2005)( Withtheir ` almostsingularfocusonlossamount,theguidelinessometimesareinsufficientlysensitiveto L  personalculpability);#XXX)Xz#UnitedStatesv._Ennis_,468_F.Supp_.2d228,230(D.Mass.2006)( And 8  sincetheGuidelinedraftersdidnotbothertodescribethereasonformakingquantity_talismanic_, $ t thesentencingpurposesadvancedbythequantityguideline,2D1.1,orwhattodowhen  ` quantity-drivensentencesarewhollyatoddswithanyrationalsentencingscheme,judgeswere  L  leftjusttoweighthedrugsandmechanicallycomputetheoffenselevel.).*X XXX*)  X*X  8   $   # *)M##XXl#   ($USUS.,    17    _SeealsoXXXXUnitedStatesv._Lazenby_,439F.3d928,934(8thCir.2006)( #XXXXx# XXXXButtheextreme  disparityinthesetwosentencesnotonlyfailstoservethelegislativeintentreflectedin#XXX X$# XXXX  #XXX X# XXXX3553(a)(6),italsosuggestsanarbitrarylevelofdecisionmakingthatfailsto"promoterespect  forthelaw,"#XXX XB# XXXX#XXX X# XXXX3553(a)(2)(A))#XXX XO#)XXXX#XXX)X産# XXXX t #XXX X#XXXX#XXXX<#  ($USUS.,    20    _http://www.fpd-fln.org/sample_sentencing_memos.htm  (Sh  Z6Times New Roman Regular {  ($USUS.,    18    _If,ofcourse,thequantitiesaresolargethatitwouldmakelittledifferencewhetherthe  calculationswerebasedoncrackorpowder,theargumentwouldnthaveanyvalue.Mostofthe  cases,though,involvemuchsmallerquantities.   ($USUS.,    3    _Theideafitsinnicely,too,withanotherCongressionaladmonitionthathasworkeditself  intomanyasentencingmemo:  XXXXThecourt,indeterminingwhethertoimposeatermof  imprisonment,and,ifatermofimprisonmentistobeimposed,indeterminingthelengthofthe  term,shallconsiderthefactorssetforthinsection3553(a)totheextenttheyareapplicable, t recognizingthatimprisonmentisnotanappropriatemeansofpromotingcorrectionand ` rehabilitation.#XXX X#18U.S.C.3582(a).   ($USUS.,    8    _ [_S]everal_Ԁimportantfactorsseemtospeedtheagingprocessforthoseinprison.These  factorsincludetheamountofstressexperiencedbynewinmatestryingtosurvivetheprison  experienceunharmed;effortstoavoidconfrontationswithcorrectionalstaffandfellowinmates;  financialstressrelatedtoinmateslegal,family,andpersonalcircumstances...National t InstituteofCorrections,DepartmentofJustice,AddressingtheNeedsoftheElderly,Chronically ` Ill,andTerminallyIllInmatesat8(2004ed.).   ($USUS.,    9    _ Firsttimeincarceratedolderinmatesarefrequentlyseverelymaladjustedandespecially  atriskforsuicide,explosiveness,andothermanifestationsofmentaldisorder.Sincetheir  behaviorsarenotwelltoleratedbyotherinmatestheirvictimizationpotentialishigh.Id.at11.   ($USUS.,    12    _ Therecidivismrateforcareeroffendersmorecloselyresemblestheratesforoffenders  inthelowercriminalhistorycategoriesinwhichtheywouldbeplacedunderthenormalcriminal  historyscoringrulesinChapterFouroftheGuidelinesManual.UnitedStatesSentencing   Commission,FifteenYearsofGuidelinesSentencing:AnAssessmentofHowWelltheFederal  CriminalJusticeSystemisAchievingtheGoalsofSentencingReformat134(Nov.2004).   ($USUS.,    10    _ Recidivismratesdeclinerelativelyconsistentlyasageincreases.Generallytheyounger  theoffender,themorelikelytheoffender_recidivates_...Amongalloffendersundertheage21,  therecidivismrateis35.5%,whileoffendersovertheageof50havearecidivismrateof9.5  percent.UnitedStatesSentencingCommission,MeasuringRecidivism:TheCriminalHistory t ComputationoftheFederalSentencingGuidelinesat12(Nov.2004).   ($USUS.,    11    _XXXX Aftercarefullyconsideringalloftheinformationcurrentlyavailablesome16years  afterthe100to1drugquantityratiowasenactedtheCommissionfirmlyandunanimously  believesthatthecurrentfederalcocainesentencingpolicyisunjustifiedandfailstomeetthe  sentencingobjectivessetforthbyCongressinboththeSentencingReformActandthe1986 t Act.UnitedStatesSentencingCommission,CocaineandFederalSentencingPolicyat91(May ` 2002).#XXXXf#(hH  Z 6Times New Roman Regularhttp://www.USSC.gov//JUDPACK/2005/fln05.pdf).http://www.ussc.gov).  ($USUS.,    2    _JusticeKennedysspeechattheAugust9,2003,annualmeetingoftheAmericanBar  Association. h  ($USUS.,    4    _SeeDouglasA.Berman, Judge_Posner_simportantandflawedworkinCunningham,  SentencingLawandPolicy,Nov.14,2005at4' O  5  http://sentencing.typepad.com,6+O?   7 mԀandBerman,   RemarkablenewdistrictcourtrulingonapplyingBooker,Jan.10,2006,id.   ($USUS.,    13    _TheProjectsSentencingInitiativereportconcludesthattheSentencingGuidelines   placeexcessiveemphasison_quantifiable_Ԁfactorssuchasmonetarylossanddrugquantity,and  notenoughemphasisonotherconsiderationssuchasthedefendantsroleinthecriminal  conduct.TheConstitutionProject,PrinciplesfortheDesignandReformofSentencingSystems t at2.(Availableat4& O  5  http://www.constitutionproject.org/article.cfm?messageID=101).6iO}  7 http://www.constitutionproject.org/article.cfm?messageID=101http://sentencing.typepad.com,  ($USUS.,    7    _Ritav.UnitedStates,CaseNo.065754;Claibornev.UnitedStates,CaseNo.065618.(O Z(Times New Roman $Verdana   ($USUS.,    16    _See 128MitigatingFactors:CasesGranting,Affirming,orSuggestingMitigating  Factorsat4, xO  5  http://www.fd.org/odstb_BookerMain.htm6O   7 &; CaseAuthorityforBookerVariances  PanelNewsletterfortheNorthernDistrictofFlorida,October19,2005at  http://www.fpd-fln.org.  http://www.fd.org/odstb_BookerMain.htm;   ($USUS.,    19    _ Ithastakenmanyyears,butthecourtfinallyhasconcludedthatitisauthorizedtohold,  anddoeshold,thatadistrictcourt,insentencingadefendant,mayproperlytakeintoaccountthe  factthatthe100-to-1ratioembeddedintheSentencingGuidelinesforcrack-to-powdered  cocaineoffensesbearsnomeaningfulrelationshiptoadefendant'sculpability. XXXXԀ_Pickett_,475F.3d t at1356(Rogers,J.concurring).#XXX X# XXXXԀ#XXX X#   ($USUS.,    5    _ԀIftherecordsarenotselfexplanatory,youmayneedsomewrittenexplanationofthem.  If,forexample,therearemedicalrecords,itmightbeagoodideatohireanursetoreviewthem  andprovideasummarythatexplainsthemedicalinformation.  ($USUS.,    6    _UnitedStatesv.Booker,543U.S.220(2005)<:Preformatted  /%  ,Kk %#/K4<6X9`(Courier NewKS \  `&Times New RomanS/%  ,Kk %#/  http://www.fd.org.<6X9`(Courier New d !USUS.,  _OY   8XXdd8WRITINGASENTENCINGMEMORANDUM   c  Thereareanynumberofwaystowriteasentencingmemorandumthatasksthejudgeto  imposeasentencebelowtheadvisorySentencingGuidelinesrange,andnooneformwillfit ` everycase.Sentencinginfederalcourt,though,hastakenonacertainprecisionthatoften 8  requirescitationtoauthorityandatheorybeyondarequestformercyoravaguenotionof  ` fairness. Herearesomesuggestionsaboutpreparingasentencingmemorandumthatincorporates  8  thatapproach.     Therearesomeessentialsforthememorandum.Inityoushould(1)mentionthe    parsimonyclause;(2)remindthecourtofthelimitedroleoftheGuidelines;(3)explainwhy p theGuidelinesshouldntcarrymuchweightinyourcase;(4)considerthefederalsentencing H statute,18U.S.C.3553(a);and(5)tiethecircumstancesofyourcaseto3553(a).  p   Typically,andforthesakeofclarity,agoodwaytostartthememoiswithaparagraph H thatbrieflydescribestheclientscircumstancesthatjustifythebelowGuidelinessentence,makes   referencetotheparsimonyclause,andstateswhatsortofsentenceyouarerequesting:  Defendant,JohnDoe,isseventynineyearsofage.HeservedintheUnited  StatesArmyduringtheKoreanWarandwasamemberoftheMerchant l MarinesatthecloseofWorldWarII.Hesuffersfromsignificanthealth X  problems,notablycongestiveheartfailure,andisatconsiderableriskfora D! heartattackandsuddendeath.Hehasnopriorcriminalhistoryand,priorto 0"  hisretirement,workedsteadily.Heappearstopresentlittlerisktoanyone. #l! Giventhesecircumstances,asentenceofprobationwithaperiodofhome $X" detentionwouldbe sufficient,butnotgreaterthannecessary,tocomply $D # withthegoalsofsentencingsetforthin18U.S.C.3553(a)(2). %0!$ Whethertoaskforaspecificsentenceorsomethinglessprecise,suchas lessthanthe262to (#' 327monthscalledforbytheGuidelines,is,ofcourse,thesortofjudgmentlawyersmakeevery |*%) dayandwillvaryfromonecasetothenext.    Incidentally,thephrase sufficient,butnotgreaterthannecessaryisthe parsimony  clause.Itshouldbecentraltoanysentencehandeddowninfederalcourtand,hence,centralto ` anysentencingmemorandum.Initsentiretyitreads: Thecourtshallimposeasentence 8  sufficient,butnotgreaterthannecessary,tocomplywiththepurposessetforthinparagraph(2)  ` ofthissubsection.The purposessetforthinparagraph(2)aretheneedforthesentenceto:  8  reflecttheseriousnessoftheoffense,promoterespectforthelaw,providejustpunishment,   affordadequatedeterrence,protectthepublicfromfurthercrimesofthedefendant,andto   providethedefendantwithneedededucationalorvocationaltraining,medicalcare,orother p treatmentinthemosteffectivemanner._  #  1      _Ԁ H   Inadaywhen,asUnitedSupremeCourtJusticeAnthonyKennedyputit, ourresources  aremisspent,ourpunishmentstoosevere,oursentencestoolong,#@  #  2      ׀theideaofasentencethatis  nolongerthannecessaryisaremarkableconsideration.  #  3      ׀Thepoint,though,isthattheoftenused ` standardof reasonablenessisnotthestandardinthedistrictcourt.Whenthecaseisreviewed 8  bytheappellatecourt,theywillaskwhetherthequestionisreasonable.Inthedistrictcourt,  ` though,thequestionisthatofjusthowshortasentencewillsuffice._$0  #  4      _  8    Atanyrate,havingsuccinctlysetoutinthatfirstparagraphwhatyouareaskingforand   why,thetaskistosetoutyourclientscircumstancesinadetailed,compelling,andaccurate   way.Thisisessentiallyadiscussionofthesortoffactsthathavealwaysbeenmentionedat p sentencing:thechildrenwhowillsuffer;theclientsdevotiontohisfamily;theserviceinthe H Marines;thestroketheclientsufferedlastspring;theclientslimitedintellect;thehistoryof  p depression;theclientsremarkableworkhistory;thefactthattheyourclientspriorconvictions H consistofsalesoftinyquantitiesofcrackcocaine;theimpactthatalcoholismordrugaddiction  hashad;thestepsyourclienthasalreadytakentowardtreatmentorrehabilitation.Thelistgoes  onandon. `   Itmaybe,ofcourse,thatyouarenotrelyingsomuchonyourclientshistory,but, 8  instead,thecircumstancesoftheoffense.Ifthatisso,thenthisportionofthememorandumwill  ` discusstheclientsminimalroleintheconspiracy,thebenignreasontheclientpossessedthe  8  firearm,whyitisthelosscalculationoverstatestheharmdone,ortheroletheclientsaddiction   toprescriptiondrugsplayedintheoffense.    .     Beruthlesslyaccurateindescribingyourclientscircumstancesandthecircumstancesof p theoffense.Nothingwillreduceyoureffectivenessasalawyerortheeffectivenessofaparticular H argumentmorethanmisleadingorincorrectinformation.  p   Accordingly,partofthejobatsentencingistodocumenttheseclaims.Ifthereare H meaningfulhospitalormedicalrecords,schoolrecords,policereports,psychologicalreports,   newspaperarticles,jobevaluations,oranykindofwrittendocumentationthatsupportyour  claim,putthemtogetheraspartofanexhibittobeintroducedatsentencing./  #  5      ׀Lettersfrom  employers,friends,orfamily,canbeusedmuchthesameway.Then,too,youmayneedtorely X  onlivetestimonyatthesentencinghearingtocorroborateyourclaims.Thekeyhereistobe 0"  awarethat(1)whatyousayisnotevidence;(2)thedocumentationmakesyourpresentation $X" morecompelling;and(3)shouldyougetabelowguidelinessentencetherewillneedtobe %0!$ evidenceintherecordtosupportthejudgesdecision. '#&   Inthememorandumyoucanincludeexcerptsfromthedocumentsorlettersand/oryou  candiscussthetestimonyyouexpecttopresentatthesentencinghearing.Especiallyifthe  documentsareextensiveorcomplicated,itmakessensetosecuretheGovernmentsconsentto ` submittheexhibitstothejudgeinadvanceofthesentencinghearingsothatheorshewillhave 8  anopportunitytolookatthemclosely.Letters,too,shouldgotothejudgeinadvanceofthe  ` hearing.  8    Onceyouvesetoutthefacts,thenextstepistosetoutthelaw.TheBooker0  #  6      decision   waspublishedinJanuaryof2005,andthejudgesarewellawareofit,sothereisntmuchvalue   inexplainingthedecision.TheroletheGuidelinesplay,though,isstillverymuchdebatedandis p likelytobecomeclearerintheweekstocomewhentheSupremeCourtissuesitsdecisioninthe H ClaiborneandRitacases.(|  #  7      ׀Inthemeantime,though,itisworthmentioningthat,atleastherein  p theEleventhCircuit,therenopresumptionthattheadvisoryGuidelinesrangeisthecorrect H sentence.Heresanexampleoftheargument:    XXXXAsrecognizedinHunt,therehasbeenacontinuingdebateamongthecourts  astohowmuchweightshouldbegiventooneofthelistedfactors,the  SentencingGuidelines.459F.3dat11831184.#XXX X甅%#XXXXThedecisioninHunt,  however,hasresolvedthedebatefortheEleventhCircuit.Inthedecision, l thecourtrejected anyacrosstheboardprescriptionregardingthe X  appropriatedeferencetogivetheguidelines.459F.3dat1184.Rather,a D!  districtcourtmaydetermine,onacasebycasebasis,theweighttogivethe 0"  Guidelines,solongasthatdeterminationismadewithreferencetothe #l! remainingsection3553(a)factorsthatthecourtmustalsoconsiderin $X" calculatingthedefendantssentence.459F.3dat1185.Thus,as $D # recognizedbyJudge_Tjoflat_ԀinUnitedStatesv.Glover,431F.3d744,752 %0!$ 753(11thCir.2005),insomecasestheGuidelinesmayhavelittlepersuasive &"% forceinlightofsomeoftheother3553(a)factors#XXXX甹&#. ` 0  '#& Ї HuntisHuntv.UnitedStates,459F.3d1180(11thCir.2006).Itmightbeworthwhile,aswell,  todispelthesortofpreBookerthinkingthatonlyuniquecircumstanceswilljustifyabelow  Guidelinessentence.See XXXXUnitedStatesv.CastroSuarez,425F.3d430,436(7thCir.2005); ` UnitedStatesv.Cull,446_F.Supp_.2d961,966(D.Wis.2006).#XXX X~,# XXXX 8    Havingaddressedthemoregeneralconcepts,youcanmovetothespecifics,therelevant  ` portionsof3553(a),andexplainwhytheyjustifyalessersentence.Forthesakeofclarity,it  8  makessensetolistthefactorsinthememorandum.InHunt,theCourtdistilledthefactorsfrom   thestatuteinawaythatcaneasilybecitedinamemorandum:   (1)thenatureandcircumstancesoftheoffenseandthehistoryand p characteristicsofthedefendant; \ (2)theneedforthesentenceimposed H (A)toreflecttheseriousnessoftheoffense,topromoterespectforthelaw, 4 andtoprovidejustpunishmentfortheoffense;  p (B)toaffordadequatedeterrencetocriminalconduct;  \ _(C_)toprotectthepublicfromfurthercrimesofthedefendant;and H (D)toprovidethedefendantwithneedededucationalorvocationaltraining, 4 medicalcare,orothercorrectionaltreatmentinthemosteffectivemanner;   (3)thekindsofsentencesavailable;   (4)thekindsofsentenceandthesentencingrangeestablished...;  (5)anypertinent[SentencingCommission]policystatement...;  (6)theneedtoavoidunwarrantedsentencedisparitiesamongdefendants  withsimilarrecordswhohavebeenfoundguiltyofsimilarconduct;and l (7)theneedtoproviderestitutiontoanyvictimsoftheoffense. X  #XXX X甆-# XXXX459F.3dat1182. 0"    Inmostinstances,itwillbethefirstfactorslisted, thenatureandcircumstancesofthe $X" offenseandthehistoryandcharacteristicsofthedefendant,thatyoullberelyingupon.Youll %0!$ needtospecificallyaddress,too,theneedforthesentence toreflecttheseriousnessofthe '#& offense,topromoterespectforthelaw,andtoprovidejustpunishment; theneedtoprovide )$( adequatedeterrence;and theneedtoavoidunwarrantedsentencedisparitiesamong h+&* defendants.    Thus,theclientsdrugaddiction,hisfamilyresponsibilities,hisserviceintheArmy,that  hispriorsinvolvedsmallquantitiesofdrugs,andsoonarethe historyandcharacteristicsofthe ` defendantthatjustifyalessersentence.Theclientslimitedroleinthecocaineconspiracy,the 8  clientsbenignreasonforpossessingthefirearm,andtheclientslimitedgainareall  `  circumstancesoftheoffensethatjustifyalessersentence.  8    Inadditiontoframingwhatevercircumstancestheremightbeinthelanguageof   3553(a),itisworthwhile,asithasalwaysbeeninsentencing,toexplainhowthecircumstances   justifyalessersentence.Ifitistheclientslimitedroleintheoffense,hisgoodintentions,orthat p thecrimewasoutofcharacter,itisobviouswhyalessersentencewouldbeappropriate.If, H however,thecircumstanceisthattheclientmighthavehadamiserableanddeprivedyouth,the  p rationaleforthelessersentencemaynotbesoclear.Whileadifficultlifemightbedeservingof H somecompassion,someassurancethatthecriminalconductwillnotreoccurorthattheclients   difficultiessomehowmitigatethecrimemightgainmoreyardage.Thatsamemiserable  upbringingmightmeanmoretothejudgessentencingdecisionifitsayssomethingaboutthe  clientscharacter,inthathehasdonemuchtoovercomehisdisadvantages,orifitexplainswhy X  hewassoeasilytemptedtosellcocaineorsoeasilyledbyothers.Similarly,whilecircumstances 0"  suchasoldageandpoorhealthmightbecauseforsomecompassion,theyaremoremeaningful $X" iftheymeanthechancesforrecidivismarereducedorthat,maybe,theclientwillsuffer %0!$ inordinatelyinprison. '#&   Someofthemostcompellingmemorandaincludepublishedresearchoranalysisthatwill )$( supporttheargumentorshowwhytheSentencingGuidelinesarentdeservingofmuchweight. h+&* Thereis,forexample,a2004reportfromtheDepartmentofJusticethatexplainsthatolder  prisonersagefasterinprison,_  #  8      _Ԁandthatincarcerationforfirsttimeolderindividualsisespecially  difficult.  #  9      ׀TheUnitedStatesSentencingCommissionhasdoneresearchshowingthattheolder ` theindividual,thelesslikelyheistocommitnewoffenses._   #  10      _ԀTheCommissionhasexplained, 8  too,exactlywhythereisnojustificationforthedisparityinthesentencingschemebetweenthose  ` involvedincrackcocaineandthoseinvolvedwithpowdercocaine  #  11      ,andthatthecareercriminal  8  provisionoftheGuidelinesdoesntalwayshavemuchofarelationshiptothelikelihoodof   recidivism.X  #  12      ׀TheConstitutionProject,abipartisanorganizationthatonceincludednowSupreme   OY     CourtJustice_Alito_,hascriticizedtheGuidelinesforoverrelianceondrugquantityandloss  calculations._%h  #  13      _ԀThereisresearchoutthere,too,aboutthedifficultiessufferedbychildrenwhen  theirmothergoestoprisonoraboutthedifficultyinovercomingaddictiontoprescriptiondrugs. ` TheDefenderServicesTrainingBranchwebpageat4 <O  5  www.fd.org6HO I  7 8IԀcontainsalistingofarticlesand 8  reportsthatcontainsomeofthisinformation._  #  14      _ԀThereareanynumberofpublishedopinions,too,  ` thatcriticizeoneaspectoranotheroftheGuidelinesandthatcanbeusedtoshowthatthe  8  Guidelinesshouldbegivenlittleweightinyourcase._  #  15      _ԀMaybemostimportantly,besureto   includeinthememorandumthoseopinionsinwhichcourtshaveimposedbelowGuidelines  sentenceswherethecircumstancesaresimilartothoseinyourcase.+|  #  16      ׀Mostofthosewillbe  districtcourtcases,buttheycanpavethewayforabelowGuidelinessentencebyshowingthat ` othercourtshavereliedonthesamecriteria. 8    InarguingthattheGuidelinesshouldntcarrymuchweight,itisimportanttomakea  ` distinctionbetweenacategoricalrejectionoftheGuidelinesandtheclaimthattheyarentdue  8  muchconsiderationinaparticularcase.ThismaychangeoncetheSupremeCourtdecides   ClaiborneandRita,but,fornow,theEleventhCircuitspositionisclear:   ThedecisionsofthisCourtprincipallydistinguishbetweenvaryingfroman p advisoryGuidelinesrangebasedonacasespecific,individualized \ applicationofthe18U.S.C.3553(a)factorsandvaryingfromanadvisory H GuidelinesrangebasedonacategoricalrejectionofCongresssclearly 4 expressedsentencingpolicyasembeddedintheGuidelinesanditsstatutes.  p Thelatteramountstoerror,whiletheformerfallswithinthescopeofthe  \ districtcourtsdiscretionintendedbyBooker. H  #XXX X4# XXXXUnitedStatesv.Williams,472F.3d835,835836(11thCir.2006)(Black,J.concurringinthe   denialofrehearingenbanc).    #XXX XR# XXXX  Finally,thereistheneedtoaddressthose3553(a)circumstancesuponwhichthe  Governmentoftenrelies.Sometimesitisjustamatterofarguingthatwhatyoureaskingfor X  doessatisfytheneedfortheoffenseto reflecttheseriousnessoftheoffense, promoterespect 0"  forthelaw,and toprovidejustpunishmentorthatitwillprovide adequatedeterrenceand $X"  protectthepublicfromfurthercrimesofyourclient.Know,though,thatthereareopinionsthat  recognizethatunfairlylongordisproportionatesentencespromotedisrespectforthelaw:  #XXX XS#)XXXXInsum,Williamsisastreetleveldealerofcrackcocaine.Heisnota ` kingpin,managingalargescaledrugenterprise.Whilethesaleofcrack L  cocaineisaseriousoffense,severityisarelativeconcept,andaguideline 8  sentenceof30yearswouldbegrosslydisproportionatetotheseriousnessof $ t thisoffense.Itwouldnotprovidejustpunishment.Indeed,inthiscase,I  ` findthatitoffendstheverynotionofjustice.Assuch,itwouldobviously  L  notpromoterespectforthelaw.  8  #XXX)X.W# XXXX#XXX XY#)XXXXUnitedStatesv.Williams,2007U.S.Dist.LEXIS14303,1516(M.D.Fla.March1,2007)#XXX)X[Z#XXXX._  #  17      _#XXXXZ# XXXXԀIf   yourefortunateandsomeofthatrecidivismresearchappliestoyourclient,itshouldrebutthe   concernsaboutprotectingthepublicanddeterrence.Then,too,manyoftheadvisoryGuidelines p sentencesaresolongthatsomethinglessthantherecommendedrangewillobviouslysatisfy H theseconcerns.  p   Asforuniformity,bearinmindthat3553(a)(6)addresses unwarrantedsentence H disparities:   Treatingoffenderswhoarenotequallyculpablethesameisafalseequality,  notatallconsistentwiththeadmonition"toavoidunwarrantedsentence  disparitiesamongdefendantswithsimilarrecordswhohavebeenfound  guiltyofsimilarconduct."18U.S.C.#XXX X电[# XXXX#XXX X甡_# XXXX3553(a)(6). l #XXX X_#XXXXUnitedStatesv._Ennis_,468_F.Supp_.2d228,235236(D.Mass.2006).That,ofcourse,isinmany D! waystheheartoftheSentencingGuidelinesproblem,theyimposea falseequality.Whenit #l! comestoimposingafairsentence,thesinglemotherwiththreechildrenwhowillsufferifshe $D # goestoprisonisnottheequalofa30yearoldmanwhohasnodependents.Thefellowwhofinds  himselfclassifiedasacareeroffenderbecausehesoldatotalof6gramsofcocaineonthree  separateoccasionsisnottheequalofahonesttogoodnessdrugtrafficker.A79yearoldmanin ` frailhealthwhoisfoundinpossessionofchildpornographyisnottheequalofamuchyounger 8  manwhopresentsarealrisktochildren.Inmakingtheargument,itdoesnthurt,either,torefer  ` backtotheSupremeCourtsrecognitionin_Koon_Ԁv.UnitedStates,518U.S.81,113(1996),#XXXXJ`#XXXXof  8  thetraditioninfederalsentencing#XXXX2e# XXXX forthesentencingjudgetoconsidereveryconvictedpersonas   anindividualandeverycaseasauniquestudyinthehumanfailingsthatsometimesmitigate,   sometimesmagnify,thecrimeandthepunishmenttoensue#XXX X甯e#XXXX.#XXXXf# XXXX   p   HereintheNorthernDistrict,wheretheaveragesentenceistwicethenationalaverage, H theGovernmentsargumentaboutuniformityisespeciallyweak.Dontbeafraidtocitethelatest  p statisticsfromtheUnitedStatesSentencingCommission.Inadrugcase,forexample,youcould H includesomethinglike:   Itis,furthermore,aconcernthatshouldcarrylittleweightinthisDistrict  giventhedisparitybetweensentencesimposedintheNorthernDistrictof  Floridaandtherestofthenation.#XXX X?g#AccordingtotheUnitedStates  SentencingCommissions2006SourceBookofFederalStatistics,the l averagesentenceintheNorthernDistrictofFloridafordrugtrafficking X  offensesinfiscalyear2006was153.3months,whichwas82%higherthan D! thenationalaverageof84.4months.XXXXԀ__Ԁ4! O  5  6 lOl  7 [lGiventhestatistics,alessersentence 0"  inMr.Doescasewouldonlydecreasethatdisparity. #l! #XXXXk# XXXX(The2006_Sourcebook_ԀofFederalSentencingStatisticsisavailableat4" O  5  www.ussc.gov).65nOIncan  7 wnԀ $D #   Finally,if,ofcourse,thereisaneedtoproviderestitutiontothevictimsoraneedfor &"% yourclienttoreceivetraining,education,ormedicalcare inthemosteffectivemanner,those (#' arecircumstancesthatwouldtendtosupportanargumentforalessersentence.Theneedto |*%) consider thekindsofsentencesavailable,wouldseemtobeinherentinanysentencingdecision  andprobablynotworthyofmentioninthememorandum.TheneedtoconsidertheGuidelines  andthe pertinentpolicystatementsiswhatyouveaddressedinexplainingwhytheGuidelines ` shouldntbegivenmuchweight. 8    Beyondthedetailsofthesentencingmemorandum,therearethequestionsofwhetheryou  ` shouldalsopursueatraditionaldepartureundertheGuidelinesand,forthatmatter,whetheryou  8  shouldfileasentencingmemoranduminaparticularcase.Thecourtisobligatedtoconsider   whetheradepartureiswarrantedbeforeaddressingwhetheralowersentenceisappropriateon   thebasisofaBookeranalysis.See#XXX X{m# XXXXUnitedStatesv._Jordi_,418F.3d1212,1215(11thCir.2005)#XXX X)t# XXXX. p #XXX Xt# XXXXThus,ifthereisabasisforarguingthatyourclientisentitledtoaGuidelinesdepartureyou H shouldargueforoneinthememorandum.#XXX X1u# XXXXԀAstherestrictionsonGuidelinesdeparturesmakefor  p thebiggerhurdle,itmakessensetopresentthatargumentfirst.Thatway,evenifyouvebeen H bloodiedintheharderofthetwoarguments,theeasierBookeranalysis#XXX Xv# XXXXԀmayseemtheobvious   solution.    Asfordecidingwhethertofileamemorandum,itisfairtosaythatthereareasignificant  numberofcaseswhereaGuidelinessentencewillseemreasonableandthebestthatcanbe X  expected.Asentencingmemorandummightbeusefultostressthosecircumstancesthatwould 0"  justifyasentenceatthelowerrangeoftheGuidelines,butitwouldntbethesortof $X" memorandumdiscussedhere.Then,too,therearecaseswherethecourthasnochoice,butto %0!$ imposeamandatoryminimumsentence.Obviously,asentencingmemorandumwouldsimply '#& havenoroletoplay.Inacasewheretheclientisthebeneficiaryofasubstantialassistance )$( motion,theremaybenoneedforamemorandumunlesstherearesomefactorsthatmightjustify h+&* asentenceevenlowerthanwhatyoumightexpectbasedontheassistanceprovided.    Onekindofcaseisespeciallydeservingofmentionwhenconsideringwhethertofilea  memorandum:thoseinwhichthedefendantischargedwithtraffickingincrackcocaine.  #  18      ׀In ` additiontotheSentencingCommissionsconclusionthatthereisnojustificationforthedisparity 8  betweencrackandpowdercocaine,#XXX X`w# XXXXthereareanumberofcourtsthathavecriticizedthecrack  ` cocainesentencingscheme,withthemostrecentbeingUnitedStatesv._Pickett_,475F.3d1347  8  (D.C.Cir.2007)._-T  #  19      _#XXX X由}#Ԁ XXXXNonetheless,theEleventhCircuit,alongwithamajorityoftheothercircuits,   haveheldthatasentencingcourtsdisagreementwiththe100to1ratiocannotbeusedtojustify   alessersentence.SeeUnitedStatesv.Pope,461F.3d1331(11thCir.2006)#XXX Xc# XXXX.Thereisamemo p availableonourwebpagethatmakesthecaseforimposingalessersentencebasedonthe H disparity.   #  20      ׀GiventhePopedecision,though,yoursentencingmemorandumneednotinclude  p thosesortofarguments.Allitreallyneedstosayisthat,whilethedefendantrecognizesthe H EleventhCircuitsholdinginPopeandrecognizesthecourtsobligationtofollowtheprecedent   establishedbytheEleventhCircuit,thedefendant,nonetheless,contendsthatthecourtshould  imposealessersentenceonthebasisoftheSentencingCommissionsfindingsandthattheD.C.  CircuitCourtofAppealsin_Pickett_hascorrectlydecidedtheissue. X    Jim_Skuthan_,whoistheChiefAssistantFederalPublicDefenderintheMiddleDistrictof  FloridacametoGainesvillein2006andmadeapresentationaboutsentencingmemoranda.At  theendofhispresentation,hewonderedaloudwhethertherewouldbepostconvictionclaimsof ` ineffectiveassistanceofcounselbaseduponclaimsthatdefensecounselfailedtomakethesort 8  ofargumentstypicallyfoundinagoodsentencingmemorandum.Theanswertothatquestion  ` isntinyet,butitisclearthatinmanycasesthebestpracticeinfederalcourtincludesthe  8  preparationofasentencingmemorandum.Thatiswhyyoullfindtheminthecasesofthemost   prominentdefendants,theJeffrey_Skillings_,theJack_Abramoffs_,andthe Scooter_Libbys_Ԁofthe   world.Itisthebestpracticebecausesentencingmemorandafiledsufficientlyinadvanceof#XXX X# XXXXthe p sentencinghearingreachthejudgewhenheorsheisreachinginitialconclusionsaboutthe H appropriatesentence.Sentencingmemoranda,too,helplawyersorganizeandthinkthroughthe  p issues,provideajudgewhoisinclinedtoimposealessersentencewiththecarefulanalysisand H presentationoffactsthatheorshewillneedtojustifythesentence,andremindallinvolvedwhat   wassaidnotlongaftertheSupremeCourtissuedtheBookerdecision#XXX Xk# XXXXԀbyJudgeAdlemanin  #XXX Xߋ#UnitedStatesv._Ranum_,353F.Supp.2d984,987(E.D._Wisc_.2005) XXXX:#XXX XҌ# XXXXԀ  #XXX X#Sentencingwillbehardernowthanitwasjustafewmonthsago.District X  Courtscannotjustaddupfiguresandpickanumberwithinanarrowrange. D! Rather,theymustconsideralloftheapplicablefactors,listencarefullyto 0"  defenseandgovernmentcounsel,andsentencethepersonbeforethemasan #l! individual.Bookerisnotaninvitationtodobusinessasusual. $X" XXRandy_Murrell_ %0!$ March29,_2007_ &!% _   `     h      p _