Opinion ID: 712913
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Proposed Rehabilitation

Text: 21 The court found that Barton had made efforts at rehabilitation of such a degree and nature as to warrant consideration as a ground for departure. Its findings of fact regarding Barton's potential rehabilitation rested on Dr. Klein's letter, which stated: 22 Though never completely without risk, it is my clinical impression that continued intensive therapy combined with the limiting effects of having been caught and sanctioned by society will significantly decrease [Barton's] risk of recidivism. 23 Among those who enter psychiatric treatment, Mr. Barton possesses a high degree of motivation. He reflects distress about his psychological state and he demonstrates motivation by attempting to make the changes necessary to conform his behavior within legal bounds as well as pursuing a higher level of health. I believe he will be compliant to treatment and to all other rehabilitative recommendations. 24 The court also cited the difficulty of Barton's decision publicly to acknowledge his disorder as well as his commitment to overcoming his condition. 25 A court may depart from the applicable guideline range in view of the defendant's efforts toward rehabilitation. See United States v. Maier, 975 F.2d 944, 948-49 (2d Cir.1992) (approving reduction of a sentence to probation in light of defendant's extraordinary efforts at overcoming her addiction to heroin); see 18 U.S.C. § 3553(b). An individual convicted of receiving child pornography may be entitled to a downward departure in light of his or her rehabilitative efforts, provided those efforts are extraordinary. See Studley, 907 F.2d at 259; United States v. Williams, 65 F.3d 301, 305 (2d Cir.1995) (A tentative step towards rehabilitation is not usually enough to warrant a downward departure.). We approved a downward departure in Maier only after the district court had 26 conscientiously examined all of the pertinent circumstances, including the nature of the defendant's addiction, the characteristics of the program she has entered, the progress she is making, the objective indications of her determination to rehabilitate herself, and her therapist's assessment of her progress toward rehabilitation and the hazards of interrupting that progress. 27 975 F.2d at 948-49. 28 The evidence does not sustain the court's finding that Barton has made extraordinary efforts at rehabilitation. The fact that Barton has sought rehabilitation of his own volition does not of itself justify a reduction in sentence. See United States v. Monk, 15 F.3d 25, 28 (2d Cir.1994). Although the support from Barton's colleagues and community may improve his chance at rehabilitation, see United States v. Neiman, 828 F.Supp. 254, 255 (S.D.N.Y.1993), that does not constitute an extraordinary circumstance meriting departure. Dr. Klein cited no objective indications of [Barton's] progress towards overcoming his condition. United States v. Williams, 37 F.3d 82, 86 (2d Cir.1994). A downward departure was inappropriate on this record.