Document: 112 S.Ct. 1840 504 U.S. 181 118 L.Ed.2d 524 Harold Ray WADE, Petitionerv.UNITED STATES. No. 91-5771. Argued March 23, 1992. Decided May 18, Syllabus After his arrest on, inter alia, federal drug charges, petitioner Wade gave law enforcement officials information that led them to another dealer. Subsequently, he pleaded guilty the and District Court sentenced him 10-year minimum sentence required by 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(B) United States Sentencing Commission, Guidelines Manual (USSG). The court refused Wade's request be reduced below reward for substantial assistance Government, holding 18 3553(e) USSG 5K1.1 empower district courts make such a reduction only if Government files motion requesting departure. of Appeals affirmed, rejecting arguments erred in absence deprived it authority reduce lower was authorized enquire into Government's motives failing file motion. Held: 1. Federal have review refusal substantial-assistance grant remedy they find based on an unconstitutional motive. Since parties assume statutory provisions pose identical equally burdensome obstacles, this is not decide whether "implements" thereby supersedes or separate obstacles. In both provisions, condition limiting court's gives power, duty, Nonetheless, prosecutor's discretion when exercising power subject constitutional limitations can enforce. Thus, defendant would entitled relief prosecution suspect reason as defendant's race religion. However, neither claim merely provided nor additional but generalized allegations improper motive will entitle even discovery evidentiary hearing. A has right latter procedures makes threshold showing Pp. 184-186. 2. failed raise He never alleged pointed evidence tending show reasons. And argues no avail that, because erroneously believed impermissible charge could state relief, thwarted attempt violated rights withholding arbitrarily bad faith. While move rationally related any legitimate end, record here shows support frustration, presented rise level warranting judicial enquiry. response invitation what introduce claim, explained extent Government. This necessary, sufficient, decision may been simply its rational assessment cost benefit flow from moving. 186-187. 936 F.2d 169 (CA4 1991), affirmed. SOUTER, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. J. Matthew Martin, Hillsborough, N.C., petitioner. Robert A. Long, Jr., Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice SOUTER 1 Section Title Code empowers courts, "[u]pon Government," impose reflect "substantial investigation person who committed offense." Similarly, (Nov. 1991) (USSG), permits go under assistance" case presents question violations. We hold may, raised review. 2 On October 30, 1989, police searched house petitioner, Wade, discovered 978 grams cocaine, two handguns more than $22,000 cash, arrested Wade. aftermath search, due course, grand jury indicted distributing cocaine possessing with intent distribute it, violation 841(a)(1); conspiring do these things, 846; using carrying firearm during relation crime, 924(c)(1). all four counts. 3 presentence report put sentencing range offenses at 97-121 months, added mandatory sentence, 841(b)(1)(B), narrowing actual 120-121 see 5G1.1(c)(2). also stated Guideline 2K2.4(a) 924(c) 5-year gun count. At hearing Court, lawyer urged counts responded had filed contemplated minimum, ruled without motion, beneath minimum. got 180 months prison. 4 Fourth Circuit, argued error say 10 years convictions. lost argument, 169, 171 (1991), well back-up least filing saying enquiry intrude unduly upon discretion, id., 172. granted certiorari, 502 ----, 635, 116 653 now affirm. full text this: 5 "Limited Authority Impose Sentence Below Statutory Minimum.—Upon shall established statute so offense. Such imposed accordance guidelines policy statements issued Commission pursuant section 994 title 28, Code." 3553(e). 6 relevant portion 5K1.1: 7 "Substantial Assistance Authorities (Policy Statement) 8 "Upon government stating offense, depart guidelines." 5K1.1. 9 Because criminal statutes carry sentences, implicates apparently where, here, same all, See Brief Petitioner 9, n. 2; 11, are not, therefore, called 3553(e), v. Ah-Kai, 951 490, 493-494 (CA2 1991); Keene, 933 711, 713-714 (CA9 Rodriguez-Morales, 958 1441, 1443 (CA8 1992). concedes, matter interpretation, imposes depart, 9-10, does argue otherwise respect Government-motion requirement itself unconstitutional, superseded agreement behalf cf. Santobello New York, 404 257, 262-263, 92 495, 498-499, 30 427 (1971); Conner, 930 1073, 1075-1077 (CA4), cert. denied, 420, 440 (1991). position consistent view, which we think clearly correct, substantially assisted. 11 nonetheless argues, again agree, why should treat differently other decisions, see, e.g., Wayte States, 470 598, 608-609, 105 1524, 1531-1532, 84 547 (1985), prosecutor say, 12 It follows Nor See, Redondo-Lemos, 955 1296, 1302-1303 1992); Jacob, 781 643, 646-647 1986); Gallegos-Curiel, 681 1164, 1169 1982) (Kennedy, J.); Berrios, 501 1207, 1211 1974). Indeed, concedes unless showing." 26. 13 one. alleged, much less claimed show, reasons Instead, quite different relief. Hence, seeks order remand allow develop "arbitrarily" "in faith." 25. This, says, did refusing "factors objective," Reply 4, although specifically identify factors. 14 As 26 (citing Orleans Dukes, 297, 303, 96 2513, 2515-2516, 49 511 (1976) (per curiam )), Chapman 500 ---- - 111 1919, 114 argument still avail. frustration trying plead adequate expressly invited were conduct issue. App. 10. response, counsel Ibid. enough, necessary sufficient failure acknowledge appreciate help, Cf. Doe, 290 U.S.App.D.C. 65, 70, 934 353, 358, 268, 221 (1991); La Guardia, 902 1010, 1016 (CA1 1990). 15 clear, then, present record, judgment must 16 Affirmed.

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