Opinion ID: 691066
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Constitutionality of the Guidelines

Text: 49 Thomas argues that the sentencing guidelines adopt a policy of simple uniformity. According to Thomas, this uniformity violates the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments by creating disparity and disproportionate sentences, which trial courts may no longer correct. 50 Review of Thomas's arguments on this issue is hampered by his failure to enunciate reasons to support his contentions and his failure to provide citations to authority. Most of Thomas's arguments, however, were disposed of by the Supreme Court in Mistretta v. United States, 488 U.S. 361, 109 S.Ct. 647, 102 L.Ed.2d 714 (1989), and by this court in United States v. Allen, 873 F.2d 963 (6th Cir.1989). Mistretta held that the Sentencing Reform Act was not an unconstitutional delegation of legislative authority and that it and the sentencing guidelines do not violate the constitutional principle of separation of powers. Allen held that there is no constitutional right to individualized sentencing. 51 Thomas might also be arguing that his sentence is so disproportionate as to violate the cruel and unusual punishment clause of the Eighth Amendment. This argument cannot succeed. Federal courts will not engage in a proportionality analysis except in cases where the penalty imposed is death or life in prison without possibility of parole. See Solem v. Helm, 463 U.S. 277, 103 S.Ct. 3001, 77 L.Ed.2d 637 (1983); Rummel v. Estelle, 445 U.S. 263, 100 S.Ct. 1133, 63 L.Ed.2d 382 (1980); United States v. Dumas, 934 F.2d 1387 (6th Cir.1990). 52 We see no constitutional violation here, and thus affirm the district court's decision.