Source: http://ca.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20120322_0003962.ECA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2016-10-27 23:22:25
Document Index: 588789537

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2241', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2241', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2254', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255', '§ 2255']

Movant is a federal prisoner, proceeding without counsel, with a motion to vacate, set aside, or correct his sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 filed September 15, 2011. (Dkt. No. 109.) Movant challenges his conviction for conspiring to manufacture marijuana. Movant is serving a sentence of 60 months imprisonment. Movant argues that a two-level sentencing enhancement for possession of a firearm should be removed from the presentence report ("PSR") because this enhancement was never charged.
After carefully considering the record, the undersigned recommends that movant's motion be dismissed for the reasons stated herein.
At the outset, the undersigned clarifies that the pending motion is brought pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255. Movant's motion is titled, "Petition for Order Directing Amendment to Pre-Sentence Report (Rule 32 FR Crim. P.)" (Dkt. No. 109.) On September 21, 2011, the Honorable Lawrence K. Karlton construed the motion as a request for federal habeas corpus. (Dkt. No. 108.) Although Judge Karlton did not state under which federal habeas statute he construed this action as having been brought, i.e., 28 U.S.C. §§ 2241 or 2255, it is clear that this action is brought pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255.
Motions contesting the legality of federal sentences are properly brought in 28 U.S.C. § 2255 motions. Hernandez v. Campbell, 204 F.3d 861, 864 (9th Cir. 2000). Motions challenging the execution of federal sentences are properly brought in 28 U.S.C. § 2241 motions. (Id.). The undersigned finds that the claim raised in the instant action challenges the legality of movant's sentence. Moreover, the undersigned has found numerous Ninth Circuit cases treating claims challenging errors in PSRs as having been properly brought pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255. For example, in United States v. Keller, 902 F.2d 1391, 1393-94 (9th Cir. 1990), the Ninth Circuit considered a § 2255 motion raising a claim that the PSR was inaccurate. For these reasons, the undersigned clarifies that movant's motion is brought pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255.
On March 8, 2012, movant was granted thirty days to inform the court whether he objected to the recharacterization of his motion as having been brought pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255. See Castro v. United States, 540 U.S. 375 (2003) (a court must first warn the litigant about the consequences of recharacterizing a pleading as a § 2255 motion). (Dkt. No. 129.) In this order, movant was granted the opportunity to file an amended § 2255 motion raising all of the claims he intended to assert. (Dkt. No. 129.) On March 19, 2012, movant filed a response to the March 8, 2012 order indicating that he did not object to the characterization of his motion as having been brought pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255. (Dkt. No. 130.) Movant did not file an amended motion.
A. Non-Constitutional Sentencing Error
Respondent first argues that movant's claim is waived because he is challenging a non-constitutional sentencing error.
Non-constitutional sentencing errors raised in motions brought pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 are waived if such errors were not challenged in an earlier proceeding. United States v. Schlesinger, 49 F.3d 483, 485 (9th Cir. 1995); United States v. Keller, 902 F.2d 1391, 1393-94 (9th Cir. 1990) (appellant who did not contest accuracy of PSR prior to filing section 2255 motion waives right to raise the issue through a section 2255 motion). Section 2255 movants waive the right to object in collateral proceedings unless they make a proper objection before the district court or in a direct appeal from the sentencing decision. Schlesinger, 49 F.3d at 483; Keller, 902 F.2d at 1393.
The undersigned agrees with respondent that movant's claim raises a non-constitutional sentencing error. For the reasons stated herein, the undersigned also finds that movant did not raise this claim in an earlier proceeding. Movant did not appeal. There is no evidence that movant raised this claim before the district court. The plea agreement, signed by movant, states that the parties agreed that movant was in possession of a firearm at the time of his arrest. (Dkt. No. 118-5 at 7.) The presentence report, filed under seal, states that firearms were found on properties owned by movant. (Dkt. No. 121-1.) The presentence report also states that the government and movant stipulated to several guideline variables, including "possession of a firearm: 2." (Id. at 6.) At the change of plea hearing, movant did not raise this issue. (Dkt. No. 118-6.) Movant also did not raise this issue at sentencing. (Dkt. No. 118-8.)
For the reasons discussed above, movant's motion should be dismissed because he is raising a non-constitutional sentencing issue that was not previously raised.
Respondent argues that movant's claim is barred by the statute of limitations.
Respondent argues that the limitations period began to run on the date on which the judgment of conviction became final. A judgment of conviction becomes final "upon the expiration of the time during which [the defendant] could have sought review by direct appeal." United States v. Schwartz, 274 F.3d 1220, 1223 (9th Cir. 2001). Under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 4(b)(1), a criminal defendant has 14 days to file a notice of appeal after the entry of judgment.
In the instant case, judgment was entered on January 28, 2010. Movant did not appeal. Therefore, movant's conviction became final fourteen days later on February 11, 2010. Movant had one year from that date to file a timely motion pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255. The instant action, filed September 15, 2011, is not timely. For these reasons, the undersigned also recommends that movant's motion be dismissed because it is barred by the statute of limitations.
C. Collateral Waiver
Respondent next argues that this action is barred because in the plea agreement, movant waived his right to file a motion pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255. The plea agreement states that movant agreed not to file a motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255. (Dkt. No. 118-5 at 9.)
A defendant may waive the statutory right to bring a § 2255 action challenging the length of his sentence. United States v. Pruitt, 32 F.3d 431, 433 (9th Cir. 1994); United States v. Abarca, 985 F.2d 1012, 1014 (9th Cir. 1992). The only claims that cannot be waived are claims that the waiver itself was involuntary or that ineffective assistance of counsel rendered the plea involuntary. See Washington v. Lampert, 422 F.3d 864, 871 (9th Cir. 2005) (holding that a plea agreement that waives the right to file a federal habeas petition pursuant to § 2254 is unenforceable with respect to an ineffective assistance of counsel claim that challenges the voluntariness of the waiver); Pruitt, 32 F.3d at 433 (expressing doubt that a plea agreement could waive a claim that counsel erroneously induced a defendant to plead guilty or accept a particular plea bargain).
Movant's § 2255 motion does not allege that his waiver of the right to file the § 2255 motion was involuntary or that his plea was involuntary due to ineffective assistance of counsel. In the reply to respondent's opposition, movant argues that his counsel was ineffective for failing to challenge the PSR on the grounds raised in the instant action. (Dkt. No. 128 at 4-10.) However, despite being granted the opportunity to do so (dkt. No. 129), movant did not file an amended § 2255 raising an ineffective assistance of counsel claim. (Dkt. no. 130.)
Because this action is proceeding on the original § 2255 motion, which does not raise a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, the undersigned finds that the instant action is barred pursuant to movant's waiver of his right to file a § 2255 motion in the plea agreement.
Respondent further argues that movant's motion should be denied on the merits. The undersigned need not reach this issue because movant's motion should be dismissed for the three reasons discussed above.
1. Movant's September 15, 2011 motion to vacate, set aside, or correct his sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 (Dkt. No. 109) be dismissed; and
2. The Clerk of the Court be directed to close the companion civil case No. 2: 11-cv-2524 LKK KJN P.