Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_14-cr-00504/USCOURTS-cand-3_14-cr-00504-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Osmin Antonio Lopez-Otero
Defendant
USA
Plaintiff

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

USA,

Plaintiff,

v.

OSMIN ANTONIO LOPEZ-OTERO,

Defendant.

Case No. 14-cr-00504-JSC-1 

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR 

EARLY TERMINATION OF

PROBATION

Re: Dkt. No. 12

Defendant Osmin Lopez-Otero pled guilty and was convicted of carrying and storing an 

open container of alcohol on a motor vehicle in violation of 36 C.F.R. § 4.14(b). The Court 

adopted the parties’ recommended sentence, and sentenced Mr. Lopez-Otero to three years of 

probation among other terms. Having now completed 16 months of the 36-month term, he moves 

for termination of his probation. After carefully considering his petition, and having had the 

benefit of oral argument on July 28, 2016, at which Mr. Lopez-Otero was present, the Court 

DENIES the request.

DISCUSSION

A trial judge may terminate a previously-ordered term of probation for a misdemeanor 

conviction at any time after considering the factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). 18 U.S.C. §

3564(c). Probation may be terminated if the court “is satisfied that such action is warranted by the 

conduct of the defendant and the interest of justice.” 18 U.S.C. § 3564(c). The trial court “enjoys 

discretion to consider a wide range of circumstances when determining whether to grant early 

termination.” United States v. Emmett, 749 F.3d 817, 819 (9th Cir. 2014).

After considering the section 3553(a) factors, the Court finds that early termination of 

probation is not in “the interest of justice.” At the time of the offense at issue, Defendant was in 

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

his early 20’s. Although he was driving, his blood alcohol was greater than the legal limit, he had 

an open container of alcohol in the car, and his passenger was not wearing a seatbelt. He was 

stopped on a Sunday afternoon in July in the Presidio National Park, an area teeming with people. 

The nature and circumstances of his offense weigh in favor of his remaining on probation so that 

the Court can be assured that when he finally finishes his probationary term he will not again pose 

a danger to the public. See 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(1). Three years of probation gives the Probation 

Department and the Court sufficient time to determine if Defendant has needs that require greater 

intervention, especially given his youth at the time of his offense and that it involved violations of 

the law other than solely driving with an excess blood alcohol level. Further, Defendant has 

offered evidence that prior to his conviction he did not do much other than work and “partying’ on 

his days off,” but that since his conviction he has changed his ways. (Dkt. No. 13-4.) This change 

in behavior—while applauded and expected—does not mean that probation is unnecessary; to the 

contrary, it suggests being on probation has had a salutary effect on Defendant. See 18 U.S.C. §

3553(a)(2).

Defendant’s citation to non-binding policy documents is not persuasive. This Court must 

follow 18 U.S.C. § 3564(c) and the factors set forth in section 3553(a). Having done so, the Court 

finds that the sentence it originally imposed on Defendant remains consistent with the section 

3553(a) factors and in the interest of justice and that Defendant’s compliance with the terms of his 

probation does not suggest otherwise. Accordingly, the motion to terminate probation early is 

DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 3, 2016

JACQUELINE SCOTT CORLEY

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 3:14-cr-00504-JSC Document 17 Filed 08/03/16 Page 2 of 2