Opinion ID: 42949
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Acceptance of Responsibility Reduction

Text: 23 Sanchez-Ruedas also contends that the district court erred in denying him a two-level reduction for acceptance of responsibility. A district court's determination as to whether a defendant has accepted responsibility is afforded great deference on review. United States v. Chapa-Garza, 62 F.3d 118, 122 (5th Cir. 1995) (citing United States v. Franks, 46 F.3d 402, 405 (5th Cir.1995)); U.S.G.G. § 3E1.1 n. 5. Indeed, the ruling should not be disturbed unless it is without foundation. United States v. Roberson, 872 F.2d 597, 610 (5th Cir.1989). Moreover, the defendant bears the burden of proving entitlement to a decrease in offense level for acceptance of responsibility. United States v. Tello, 9 F.3d 1119, 1124 (5th Cir.1993). 24 The relevant sentencing guideline provision, section 3E1.1, provides for reduction of the offense level if the defendant clearly demonstrates acceptance of responsibility for his offense. The commentary to that section advises that this adjustment is not intended to apply to a defendant who puts the government to its burden of proof at trial by denying the essential factual elements of guilt, is convicted, and only then admits guilt and expresses remorse. U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1(a) cmt. n. 2. This court has accordingly only reversed a district court's denial of this award in cases where the defendant never contested factual guilt. See, e.g., United States v. Washington, 340 F.3d 222 (5th Cir.2003) (reversing where the defendant signed a confession and was attempting only to suppress evidence). 25 In this case, Sanchez had a trial on the merits and a bite at the acquittal cherry. Moreover, he was warned by both the district court and his attorney that proceeding to trial would cost him the very reduction he now seeks on appeal. Because there is some foundation for the district court's ruling, we affirm the denial of the reduction. 5