Opinion ID: 529914
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Constitutional Challenges to Sentencing Guidelines

Text: 30 All of the defendant's challenges to the guidelines were held in abeyance pending the Supreme Court decision in Mistretta v. United States, --- U.S. ----, 109 S.Ct. 647, 102 L.Ed.2d 714 (1989). The guidelines were upheld in Mistretta against challenges that the Sentencing Commission was constituted in violation of the established doctrine of separation of powers, and that Congress delegated excessive authority to the Commission to structure the Guidelines. 109 S.Ct. at 653. We express no opinion on the merits of the defendant's due process and eighth amendment arguments not addressed by the Supreme Court and direct the district court to address the defendant's challenges which are now reviewable. Thereafter, the defendant (or the government) may bring an appeal from the district court's resolution of these issues.