Opinion ID: 40788
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: standard of review

Text: 5 As Robles-Vertiz raised his Booker claim for the first time in his supplemental petition for certiorari, we review it only in the presence of extraordinary circumstances. 4 Although we have yet to define the precise contours of extraordinary circumstances, we know that this standard is more onerous than the plain error standard. 5 It follows, then, that if Robles-Vertiz cannot meet the requirements of plain error review, he certainly cannot satisfy the requirements of extraordinary circumstances review. 6 And, Robles-Vertiz cannot meet the requisites of plain error review because he has failed to show that the error in his case affected his substantial rights. We therefore need not address whether extraordinary circumstances exist. 6 Under plain error review, we will not remand for resentencing unless there is (1) error, (2) that is plain, and (3) that affects substantial rights. 7 If the circumstances in a case meet all three criteria, we may exercise our discretion to notice the error only if it seriously affects the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings. 8 Under Booker, a district court's sentencing of a defendant under the formerly-mandatory Sentencing Guidelines (1) constitutes error (2) that is plain. 9 Whether the error affects substantial rights is a more complex inquiry in which the defendant bears the burden of proof. He will carry this burden only if he can show[] that the error `must have affected the outcome of the district court proceedings.' 10 That may be shown, in turn, by the defendant's demonstrat[ion of] a probability `sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.' 11 To demonstrate such a probability, the defendant must identify in the record an indication that the sentencing judge — sentencing under an advisory [Guidelines] scheme rather than a mandatory one — would have reached a significantly different result. 12 By all accounts, this burden is difficult 13 — but not impossible 14 — to meet.