Opinion ID: 154185
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Application of 18 U.S.C. Section(s) 3553

Text: 10 Mr. Burdex next submits that the sentencing court failed to adequately consider his need for post-incarceration drug treatment, and thus imposed a sentence which was excessive and greater than necessary, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Section(s) 3553(a)(2)(D). We find this argument unpersuasive. 11 18 U.S.C. Section(s) 3553(a) does not provide Mr. Burdex with any specific right to post-incarceration drug treatment. Section 3553(a) provides in relevant part: 12 The court shall impose a sentence sufficient, but not greater than necessary, to comply with the purposes set forth in paragraph (2) of this subsection. The court, in determining the particular sentence to be imposed, shall consider -- 13 . . . 14 (2) the need for the sentence imposed -- 15 . . . 16 (D) to provide the defendant with needed educational or vocational training, medical care, or other correctional treatment in the most effective manner . . . . 17 18 U.S.C. Section(s) 3553(a)(2)(D). Other factors to be considered pursuant to section 3553(a) when imposing a sentence are: the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant, 18 U.S.C. Section(s) 3553(a)(1); the seriousness of the offense, see 18 U.S.C. Section(s) 3553(a)(2)(A); deterrence, see 18 U.S.C. Section(s) 3553(a)(2)(B); protection of the public, see 18 U.S.C. Section(s) 3553(a)(2)(C); the kinds of sentences available, 18 U.S.C. Section(s) 3553(a)(3); the guidelines and policy statements issued by the Sentencing Commission, see 18 U.S.C. 3553(a)(4)-(5); unwarranted sentence disparities, see 18 U.S.C. 3553(a)(6); and restitution to victims, see 18 U.S.C. Section(s) 3553(a)(7). 18 We have previously held that the sentencing court is not required to consider individually each of the factors listed in 18 U.S.C. 3553(a) before issuing a sentence. See Lee, 957 F.2d at 774-75 (citing United States v. Graves, 914 F.2d 159, 160 (8th Cir. 1990)). A sentencing court need only give the reasons for its action as required by 18 U.S.C. Section(s) 3553(c). 1 Thus, when imposing a sentence, a district court need only consider 18 U.S.C. Section(s) 3553(a) en masse and state its reasons for imposing a given sentence. See id. at 775; see also Blackston, 940 F.2d at 893-94. Here, the sentencing court clearly satisfied its duty under Section(s) 3553(a) and (c). The sentencing court noted that the sentencing range applicable to Mr. Burdex under Chapter 7 was eight to fourteen months. The court then stated: 19 The Court has considered the Guideline range and finds it is insufficient to address the seriousness of the defendant's conduct. Specifically, the recommend[ed] Guideline range does not address adequately the gravity of the defendant's past criminal conduct (i.e., Criminal History Category VI), nor the fact that the defendant possessed cocaine less than two months after being released on supervision. 20 Aplt's Br. Attach. A at 2 (emphasis added). The failure to discuss drug treatment specifically is not sufficient to invalidate the sentence under 18 U.S.C. Section(s) 3553(a) and (c). See Lee, 957 F.2d at 774-75; Blackston, 940 F.2d at 893-94.