Opinion ID: 71989
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Departure Because Phillips Received Lenient Treatment for

Text: 25 the Aggravated Assault Conviction 26 The only other reason for departing downward that might be inferred from the district court's explanation is that Phillips had received lenient treatment for his aggravated assault conviction. Twice, the district court noted that a probated sentence for an aggravated assault conviction was unusual. From that, it could be inferred the district court thought that the lenient sentence that Phillips received for his prior conviction was less serious than that imposed for similar crimes and departed downward for that reason. Such an approach would conflict with § 4A1.3, which explains that an upward departure may be appropriate where the defendant had previously received an extremely lenient sentence for a serious offense. Because the guidelines contemplate an upward departure for prior lenient treatment, the district court abused its discretion in departing downward for that reason, if that was the reason.