Opinion ID: 591761
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Alleged Due Process Error:

Text: 3 Longeway alleges that because the police had the power to determine his sentence by choosing between a state or federal forum his due process rights were violated. Under the facts as stipulated to by both parties, the state and local police agencies referred the case to the United States Attorney's Office for possible initiation of criminal charges. The decision for referral was based solely on the fact that the conduct charged was subject to more severe penalties under federal law than under Michigan law. 4 This Court recently addressed this issue in United States v. Allen, 954 F.2d 1160 (6th Cir.1990). In Allen, as in the present case, federal charges were brought subsequent to an investigation conducted solely by state enforcement officers. This type of referral is clearly permissible provided that it is not motivated based on the defendant's race, sex, religion, or exercise of a statutory or constitutional right. Allen, 954 F.2d at 1166. No claim of such an impermissible purpose has been raised, and in fact the parties stipulated to the absence of such. Therefore, based on this Court's recent affirmation of broad prosecutorial discretion absent rubber stamping, the referral does not violate Longeway's due process rights. Id.