Opinion ID: 2671020
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Primer on Career Offender Guidelines

Text: Before we delve into the merits of Martin's claimed errors, we pause to say a little more on the relevant law. According to § 4B1.1, a defendant sentenced in federal court should be treated as a career offender if: (1) the defendant was at least eighteen when she committed the instant offense; (2) the instant offense is either a crime of violence or a controlled substance offense; and (3) she has at least two prior felony convictions of either a crime of violence or a controlled substance offense. U.S.S.G. § 4B1.1(a).6 To have two prior felony convictions for purposes of career offender status, not only must a defendant have at least two felony convictions of either a crime of violence or a controlled substance offense under her belt, but the sentences for these felony convictions must be such as to be counted separately under the provisions of § 4A1.1(a), (b), or (c). U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2(c). Prior sentences imposed in unrelated cases are to be counted 6 Prongs one and two are not at issue in this case; there is no dispute that Martin's March 28, 2007 offense constituted a controlled substance felony offense or that she was eighteen when she committed it. As for prong three, there is also no disagreement that her prior felony convictions are convictions for controlled substance offenses. The only issue is whether they should effectively be considered one conviction. -11- separately, while [p]rior sentences imposed in related cases are to be treated as one sentence for purposes of § 4A1.1(a), (b), and (c). Id. § 4A1.2(a)(2). Although seemingly straightforward, what counts as a related case versus an unrelated case can get tricky. According to § 4A1.2's accompanying commentary, for prior sentences to be related -- and thus treated as one for purposes of career offender status -- the underlying offenses must have either occurred on the same occasion, been part of a single common scheme or plan, or been consolidated for trial or sentencing. Id. § 4A1.2, cmt. n.3.7 As we referenced, the part of a single common scheme or plan conception is what is germane to this case. With the relevant law sketched, we proceed to our analysis.