Opinion ID: 2996703
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Governmental Discretion

Text: Even if Emerson had not waived his right to appeal his sentence, he has no cause to complain. Under the terms of the agreement, the government retained “sole discretion” as to whether to file a Rule 35 motion. (Brief for Appellee at app. B8.) In considering such agreements, the Supreme Court has upheld the government’s discretion unless the refusal to file the motion was based on religious or racial grounds, or if the refusal “was not rationally related to any legitimate government end.” Wade v. United States, 504 U.S. 181, 185-86 (1992). Emerson does not argue that the decision was motivated by improper racial or religious motivations but instead argues that it was not rationally related to any legitimate governmental end. Emerson points out that the government offered inconsistent reasons for its decision not to request the downward departure when it initially stated that he had lied, and then later, that he had not provided substantial assistance. Emerson is also miffed at the government’s slow and seemingly disorganized manner of handling the motion for downward departure. Although the government No. 03-1622 5 could have been more attentive to Emerson’s situation, this does not meet the high standard necessary to show an absence of a rational basis. By the nature of the plea agreement, the government must make a judgment call as to whether “substantial assistance” has been rendered. Given the discretion afforded to the government and its explanation for its decision, it is of little importance that the government provided differing reasons for not recommending a downward departure. Emerson failed to demonstrate that the government’s actions were not rationally related to a legitimate end. For this reason, we AFFIRM. A true Copy: Teste: ________________________________ Clerk of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit USCA-02-C-0072—11-18-03