Source: http://www.ussc.gov/guidelines/2015-guidelines-manual/archive/2006-chap6
Timestamp: 2016-08-29 23:34:08
Document Index: 451854947

Matched Legal Cases: ['§6', '§ 3593', '§ 3553', '§6', '§6', '§6', '§6', '§ 3553', '§6', '§6', '§6', '§6']

2006 CHAP6 | United States Sentencing Commission
2006 CHAP6
CHAPTER SIX - SENTENCING PROCEDURES, PLEA AGREEMENTS, AND CRIME
VICTIMS’ RIGHTSHistorical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective
November 1, 2006 (see Amendment 694).PART A - SENTENCING PROCEDURESIntroductory CommentaryThis Part addresses sentencing procedures that are applicable in
all cases, including those in which guilty or nolo contendere pleas
are entered with or without a plea agreement between the parties,
and convictions based upon judicial findings or verdicts. It sets
forth the procedures for establishing the facts upon which the
sentence will be based. Reliable fact-finding is essential to
procedural due process and to the accuracy and uniformity of
sentencing.Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987.§6A1.1. Presentence Report (Policy Statement)(a) The probation officer must conduct a presentence investigation
and submit a report to the court before it imposes sentence unless—
(1) 18 U.S.C. § 3593(c) or another statute requires otherwise; or (2) the court finds that the information in the record enables it
to meaningfully exercise its sentencing authority under 18 U.S.C.
§ 3553, and the court explains its finding on the record. Rule 32(c)(1)(A), Fed. R. Crim. P.(b) The defendant may not waive preparation of the presentence
report.CommentaryA thorough presentence investigation ordinarily is essential in
determining the facts relevant to sentencing. Rule 32(c)(1)(A)
permits the judge to dispense with a presentence report in certain
limited circumstances, as when a specific statute requires or when
the court finds sufficient information in the record to enable it
to exercise its statutory sentencing authority meaningfully and
explains its finding on the record.Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective
June 15, 1988 (see Appendix C, amendment 58); November 1, 1989 (see
Appendix C, amendment 293); November 1, 1997 (see Appendix C,
amendment 574); November 1, 2004 (see Appendix C, amendment 674).§6A1.2. Disclosure of Presentence Report; Issues in Dispute (Policy
Statement)(a) The probation officer must give the presentence report to the
defendant, the defendant’s attorney, and an attorney for the
government at least 35 days before sentencing unless the defendant
waives this minimum period. Rule 32(e)(2), Fed. R. Crim. P.(b) Within 14 days after receiving the presentence report, the
parties must state in writing any objections, including objections
to material information, sentencing guideline ranges, and policy
statements contained in or omitted from the report. An objecting
party must provide a copy of its objections to the opposing party
and to the probation officer. After receiving objections, the
probation officer may meet with the parties to discuss the
objections. The probation officer may then investigate further and
revise the presentence report accordingly. Rule 32(f), Fed. R.
Crim. P.(c) At least 7 days before sentencing, the probation officer must
submit to the court and to the parties the presentence report and
an addendum containing any unresolved objections, the grounds for
those objections, and the probation officer’s comments on them. Rule 32(g), Fed. R. Crim. P.Background: In order to focus the issues prior to sentencing, the
parties are required to respond in writing to the presentence
report and to identify any issues in dispute. See Rule 32(f), Fed.
R. Crim. P.Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective
June 15, 1988 (see Appendix C, amendment 59); November 1, 1991 (see
Appendix C, amendment 425); November 1, 1997 (see Appendix C,
amendment 574); November 1, 2004 (see Appendix C, amendment 674).§6A1.3. Resolution of Disputed Factors (Policy Statement)(a) When any factor important to the sentencing determination is
the only reliable way to resolve disputed issues. See, e.g.,
United States v. Jimenez Martinez, 83 F.3d 488, 494-95 (1st Cir.
requisite findings of fact regarding drug quantity); see also,
United States v. Fatico, 603 F.2d 1053, 1057 n.9 (2d Cir. 1979),
cert. denied, 444 U.S. 1073 (1980). The sentencing court must
U.S. 1038 (1990). Reliable hearsay evidence may be considered. United States v. Petty, 982 F.2d 1365 (9th Cir. 1993), cert.
denied, 510 U.S. 1040 (1994); United States v. Sciarrino, 884 F.2d
identity and there is sufficient corroboration by other means. United States v. Rogers, 1 F.3d 341 (5th Cir. 1993); see also
United States v. Young, 981 F.2d 180 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 508
November 1, 2004 (see Appendix C, amendment 674).§6A1.4. Notice of Possible Departure (Policy Statement)Before the court may depart from the applicable sentencing
guideline range on a ground not identified for departure either in
the presentence report or in a party’s prehearing submission, the
court must give the parties reasonable notice that it is
contemplating such a departure. The notice must specify any ground
on which the court is contemplating a departure. Rule 32(h), Fed.
R. Crim. P.CommentaryBackground: The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure were amended,
effective December 1, 2002, to incorporate into Rule 32(h) the
holding in Burns v. United States, 501 U.S. 129, 138-39 (1991). This policy statement parallels Rule 32(h), Fed. R. Crim. P.Historical Note: Effective November 1, 2004 (see Appendix C,
amendment 674). §6A1.5. Crime Victims’ Rights (Policy Statement)In any case involving the sentencing of a defendant for an offense
amendment 694). PART B - PLEA AGREEMENTSIntroductory CommentaryPolicy statements governing the acceptance of plea agreements under
Rule 11(c), Fed. R. Crim. P., are intended to ensure that plea
negotiation practices: (1) promote the statutory purposes of
sentencing prescribed in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a); and (2) do not
perpetuate unwarranted sentencing disparity.These policy statements make clear that sentencing is a judicial
function and that the appropriate sentence in a guilty plea case is
to be determined by the judge. The policy statements also ensure
that the basis for any judicial decision to depart from the
guidelines will be explained on the record.Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective
November 1, 2004 (see Appendix C, amendment 674).§6B1.1.Plea Agreement Procedure (Policy Statement) (a) The parties must disclose the plea agreement in open court when
November 1, 2004 (see Appendix C, amendment 674).§6B1.2. Standards for Acceptance of Plea Agreements (Policy
October 27, 2003 (see Appendix C, amendment 651).§6B1.3. Procedure Upon Rejection of a Plea Agreement (Policy
Statement)If the court rejects a plea agreement containing provisions of the
type specified in Rule 11(c)(1)(A) or (C), the court must do the
following on the record and in open court (or, for good cause, in
camera)—(a) inform the parties that the court rejects the plea agreement;(b) advise the defendant personally that the court is not required
to follow the plea agreement and give the defendant an opportunity
to withdraw the plea; and (c) advise the defendant personally that if the plea is not
withdrawn, the court may dispose of the case less favorably toward
the defendant than the plea agreement contemplated.Rule 11(c)(5), Fed. R. Crim. P.CommentaryThis provision implements the requirements of Rule 11(c)(5). It
assures the defendant an opportunity to withdraw his plea when the
court has rejected a plea agreement.Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective
November 1, 2004 (see Appendix C, amendment 674).§6B1.4. Stipulations (Policy Statement)(a) A plea agreement may be accompanied by a written stipulation of