Opinion ID: 76426
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Nature of the Underlying Offense

Text: 20 A brief review of how the relevant guideline has evolved confirms that the district court lacked the authority to depart downward 8 or more levels on these facts. 21 Section 2L1.2(b)(1) used to require that the offense level be increased by 16 if the defendant had a prior conviction for any aggravated felony. U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A) (2000). Because the seriousness of the prior aggravated felony could vary greatly, the commentary contained a note suggesting that downward departures might be warranted in some of the less serious cases. Id. cmt. n. 5. In response to this disparity, the Sentencing Commission modified the guideline. 22 Section 2L1.2(b)(1) now distinguishes among assorted types of aggravated felonies. See U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2(b)(1) (2002). Most significantly, the section currently distinguishes between aggravated felonies like burglary that are also defined as crimes of violence and less serious aggravated felonies that are not. Compare id. § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A)(ii), with id. § 2L1.2(b)(1)(C). For the sake of convenience, we refer to these categories as crimes of violence and simple aggravated felonies, respectively. 23 If the prior conviction is for a crime of violence, the base sentencing level is increased by 16 levels. Id. § 2L1.2(b)(1)(A)(ii). If, however, the prior conviction is for a simple aggravated felony — i.e., one that is not a crime of violence —the increase is only 8 levels. Id. § 2L1.2(b)(1)(C). 24 When the Sentencing Commission modified § 2L1.2(b)(1) to expressly distinguish between crimes of violence and simple aggravated felonies, it also removed the note concerning downward departures because it determined that the amended graduation of increases negated the need for the departure provision. U.S.S.G. supp. to app. C., amend. 632, at 218-19 (2002). Given that Saucedo-Patino fails to otherwise advance a valid basis for departing, see infra Parts III.B-C, if we were to affirm the grant of the 8-level downward departure here, our only basis for doing so would be the nature of the underlying offense. Saucedo-Patino would then be sentenced as if he had been convicted of only a simple aggravated felony instead of a crime of violence. Given that the Commission chose to distinguish between these two categories — by requiring increases of 8 and 16 levels, respectively — we must enforce the distinction. Thus, we hold that, regardless of the circumstances, a sentencing court lacks the authority to treat a crime of violence as if it were not, in fact, a crime of violence. More specifically, on these facts, a sentencing court is categorically prohibited from departing downward 8 or more levels where its only basis for doing so is the nature of the underlying offense. 4 25