Opinion ID: 694796
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: analysis

Text: 5 Review of a sentence imposed under the Sentencing Guidelines is limited to cases where the sentence is (a) in violation of the law, (b) a result of the incorrect application of the guidelines, (c) greater than the sentence specified in the applicable range, or (d) plainly unreasonable and imposed for an offense for which there is no guideline. 18 U.S.C. Sec. 3742 (a). Thus, [a]bsent an error of law or a misapplication of the guidelines, this court lacks jurisdiction to review sentences within the appropriate guidelines range. United States v. Solis, 923 F.2d 548, 551 (7th Cir. 1991). Bremner contends the sentence violated the law because the district court considered unreliable and prejudicial evidence submitted with an untimely objection to the presentencing report. 6 A defendant does not have a constitutional right to a specific sentence or to the lowest possible sentence. However, he is entitled to only to have his sentence correctly determined in accordance with the applicable law and based upon reliable evidence. United States v. Urrego-Linares, 879 F.2d 1234, 1239 (4th Cir. 1989) (citing Townsend v. Burke, 334 U.S. 736, 68 S. Ct. 1252 (1948)), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 943 (1989); United States v. Musa, 946 F.2d 1297, 1306 (7th Cir. 1991) (There is no question but that a criminal defendant has a due process right to be sentenced on the basis of accurate information); see also United States v. McDavid, 41 F.3d 841 (2d Cir. 1995); United States v. Curran, 926 F.2d 59, 61 (1st Cir. 1991). Thus, we have jurisdiction to review whether the district court sentenced Bremner based in part on unreliable information.
7 The sentencing court may use all the information it possesses in imposing sentences, and may appropriately conduct an inquiry broad in scope, largely unlimited either as to the kind of information it may consider or the source from which it may come. United States v. Blackwell, Nos. 94-1404, 94-2118, slip op. at  3, 5-6 (7th Cir. March 1, 1995); United States v. Klund, 37 F.3d 1249, 1251 (7th Cir. 1994). While a defendant must be given the opportunity to rebut evidence presented at a sentencing hearing, Blackwell, supra, here, Bremner had such an opportunity. He objected in writing to the government's objection prior to the sentencing hearing and refused the district court's offer to continue the proceedings. Mere violation of the local rules does not mandate reversal. Accord Panozzo v. Rhoades, 905 F.2d 135, 140 (7th Cir. 1990) (local rules do not act as a ratchet tightening the due process clause). 8 Bremner also argues that the evidence was not reliable. However, Bremner did not object to the veracity of the evidence presented by the government, only to its timeliness. Thus, the standard of review is for plain error. United States v. Lampkins, Nos. 94-1748, 94-1752, 94-1761, slip op. at 2 (Jan. 18, 1995), pet. for cert. filed, (March 2, 1995) (No. 94-8268); United States v. Barker, 27 F.3d 1287, 1291 (7th Cir. 1994). Bremner contends the evidence was not reliable because (a) it was not submitted to the test of a trial, (b) it was used to show that Bremner lied to the probation officer, and (c) it did not necessarily establish that Bremner lied in fact. There is no basis for finding facts from a sentencing hearing unreliable based on the first reason, see Blackwell, supra (sentencing court has broad power to hear evidence), and there is no logic in finding facts unreliable based on the latter two reasons. 9 AFFIRMED.