Opinion ID: 1347595
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Defendant's Low Level of Sophistication in Committing Crime

Text: [7] We next consider whether the trial court properly considered Alexander's low level of sophistication in committing the crime to be a substantial and compelling reason for downward departure from the standard sentence range. The term low level of sophistication is too indeterminate [20] to be analytically useful. On the record before us, however, it is clear the trial court's use of this term reflected its finding the defendant's involvement in the transaction was very minor. Applying the 2-part Grewe test, we find that the defendant's low level of involvement is indeed a substantial and compelling reason justifying departure from the standard sentence range. First, the Legislature has not already necessarily considered the specific gradations in the defendant's level of involvement in establishing the standard sentence for violation of RCW 69.50.401(a)(1)(i)(A). In contrast to the reasons considered by this court in Pascal and Nordby, the level of involvement is neither a statutory element of the crime defined by RCW 69.50.401(a)(1)(i)(A) nor an element considered in computing the standard sentence range under RCW 9.94A.370(1). In addition, we find that, as with the amount of controlled substance delivered, a low level of involvement exhibited in committing a crime is not a characteristic inherent in all crimes defined by RCW 69.50.401(a)(1)(i)(A). Alexander's low level of involvement in committing the crime thus distinguishes his crime from other crimes of the same statutory class. Because this reason satisfies both elements of the Grewe test, we conclude a defendant's low level of involvement in committing a crime may in some instances justify a departure from the standard sentence range under RCW 9.94A.120(2). [21] Once a valid mitigating factor is identified by the trial court, the purposes section of RCW 9.94A.010 may properly be considered by the court in fashioning an appropriate sentence. [22] The trial court in this case did precisely that, indicating that given the mitigating circumstance attending the crime, the SRA's concern with proportionality and just punishment would be better served by a sentence below the standard range. See J. and Sentence, at 2. C