Opinion ID: 60846
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Separation of Powers Doctrine

Text: Lee argues additionally that, by subjecting enhancements to prosecutorial 10 discretion, and depriving district courts of the ability to impose any other sentence absent further action by the prosecutor, §§ 841 and 851 give prosecutors the power to alter the penalty attached to a particular offense, and therefore unlawfully delegate the judicial function of sentencing to the executive branch. We have held that the discretion conferred upon a prosecutor under § 851 to determine whether a particular defendant will be subject to the statutory maximum “is an integral feature of the criminal justice system, and is appropriate, so long as it is not based upon improper factors.” United States v. Cespedes, 151 F.3d 1329, 1333 (11th Cir. 1998) (quoting United States v. LaBonte, 520 U.S. 751, 117 S. Ct. 1673 (1997)). In light of our established precedent, we conclude that the district court did not plainly err in enhancing Lee’s sentence under § 841 and § 851. For the abovestated reasons, we affirm Lee’s conviction and sentence. AFFIRMED. 11