Opinion ID: 738505
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Policy Justifications

Text: 53 Our conclusion that conduct underlying dismissed counts may be considered when determining whether to depart from the applicable Sentencing Guidelines range comports with the policies underlying the Guidelines themselves. The Guidelines are, at bottom, a modified real offense system. See 1994 U.S.S.G. chap. 1, pt. A, intro. comment. 4(a). More specifically, they are a mix of a charge offense system and a pure real offense system in that it bases a sentence on both the formal offense of conviction and on the actual conduct of the defendant. See Stephen Breyer, The Federal Sentencing Guidelines and the Key Compromises Upon Which They Rest, 17 Hofstra L.Rev. 1, 8-12 (1988). Therefore, it is clear that the Guidelines envisioned that sentencing courts would consider at least some conduct for which a defendant was not actually charged. 54 We are unconvinced by Baird's argument that use of conduct underlying dismissed counts will deny defendants the benefit of the plea agreement bargain, nor, as we explained, see supra part II, section D, do we find persuasive the contention that without that benefit there will be no incentive for defendants to plea bargain. In the usual case, the plea agreement makes clear that the sentencing court is not bound by the agreement. Within statutory bounds, the sentencing court has great discretion. If a defendant is sentenced to a term of imprisonment within the maximum set out in the plea agreement, it is difficult to see the grounds on which a defendant can rest a complaint; the defendant got what he bargained for. 14 55 At all events, the incentive to plea bargain remains. The defendant can limit the sentencing court's discretion by bargaining to plead guilty only to charges with lower statutory maxima. Of course, the court may reject that plea agreement. And, if the defendant pled pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11(e)(1)(A)--which allows the government to dismiss charges--or 11(e)(1)(C)--which allows the government and defendant to agree on a specific sentence--he can withdraw his plea. 15 Moreover, the Sentencing Guidelines allow for an adjustment of offense level for the acceptance of responsibility, see 1994 U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1, and courts routinely make this adjustment for defendants who plead guilty.