Opinion ID: 694891
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Extraordinary Family Ties

Text: 11 Finally, Collingwood contends his counsel was ineffective because he failed to argue for a downward departure for extraordinary family ties. Family ties and responsibilities are not ordinarily relevant to sentencing decisions. U.S.S.G. Sec. 5H1.6, p.s. Neither the defendant's past efforts to keep his family together nor the likely disruptive effect of his incarceration justifies downward departure. United States v. Miller, 991 F.2d 552 (9th Cir. 1993). 12 Collingwood's attorney argued adjustments for role and acceptance of responsibility, while referencing facts pertinent to a departure for family ties. The district court, however, specifically stated a departure was inappropriate in this case, rendering a family ties departure unlikely. Counsel was not deficient, nor was Collingwood prejudiced by his decision not to pursue such a departure. See Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687-90. 13 Accordingly, Collingwood's ineffective assistance of counsel claim lacks merit. 14 AFFIRMED.