Opinion ID: 3037834
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Trial, Conviction, and Sentencing

Text: After a brief bench trial, the district court adjudged Jose a juvenile delinquent on June 2, 2005. Sentencing was set for July 11, 2005. A Presentence Report (“PSR”) was filed on June 17, 2005. According to the PSR, Jose did well in school, never used drugs, and worked on occasion for his father. He had no prior criminal or juvenile convictions. Jose told the probation officer that, while he knew he was involved in some illegal activity, he believed that he was picking up illegal visas in San Ysidro. He stressed that he did not know that the 4-Runner contained illegal drugs, and expressed remorse for getting involved in illegal activity. The PSR concluded that a custodial sentence was not needed to protect the community or to promote a respect for the law. Instead, the Probation Office believed that Jose was “capable of rehabilitation without a custodial sanction,” and recommended that Jose be sentenced to five years probation. Id. The Probation Office assured the court that such a sentence “[would] not diminish the seriousness of the offense. The juvenile understands the seriousness of his actions and has learned from this experience.” Id. Despite the PSR’s recommendation, the court sentenced Jose to serve an additional ten months custody in a juvenile detention facility. Given the substantial quantity of drugs involved, the court found that probation was not a deterrent and that the rehabilitative aims of the JDA would best be served by imposing ten months of detention. Jose filed a timely notice of appeal. UNITED STATES v. JOSE (JUVENILE) 7203