Opinion ID: 3209137
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: General Policy Supporting Explanation

Text: We recognize the need for a district court to create a meaningful basis for appellate review and to promote the perception of fairness, especially when a defendant is initially sentenced. See Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 50 (2007). These interests, however, can be satisfied without discussing each and every argument raised by a defendant. Here it is apparent that the district courts -8- were aware of the broad, policy-based arguments urged by the defendants, discussing only a few of them. We recognize that other circuits have imposed greater burdens on district courts, requiring them to provide some basis for their ruling. The majority of cases, however, only go so far as to require a judge to give some explanation of the decision, not to explicitly reject the defendant’s nonfrivolous arguments. See, e.g., United States v. Howard, 644 F.3d 455, 459-61 (6th Cir. 2011); United States v. Burrell, 622 F.3d 961, 964 (8th Cir. 2010); United States v. Marion, 590 F.3d 475, 478 (7th Cir. 2009). But see United States v. Trujillo, 713 F.3d 1003, 1009 (9th Cir. 2013). Providing a reason for the decision is an entirely different proposition than addressing every argument set forth by a defendant. While providing a rationale for the court’s decision certainly aids in appellate review, we find no basis to impose upon the district court a requirement to address every nonfrivolous, material argument raised by the defendant. Here, it is apparent that the district courts were not persuaded by the general and largely policy-based arguments of the defendants, discussing only a few. Such an approach does not constitute an abuse of discretion. AFFIRMED. -9-