Opinion ID: 165851
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Did the Error Affect the Proceeding's Integrity, Fairness or Public Reputation?

Text: 116 We have discretion to correct an error that satisfies the first three prongs of the plain error test if that error also affects the integrity, fairness, or public reputation of judicial proceedings. See United States v. Cotton, 535 U.S. 625, 631-32, 122 S.Ct. 1781, 152 L.Ed.2d 860 (2002). Where only non-constitutional Booker error is at issue, this standard is especially demanding. We will not notice non-constitutional Booker error unless the defendant establishes the error is particularly egregious and that our failure to correct it would result in a miscarriage of justice. 11 Gonzalez-Huerta, 403 F.3d at 736. However, in cases containing constitutional Booker error, we conduct the analysis less rigidly, meaning we do not require the exceptional showing required to remand a case of non-constitutional error. Dazey, 403 F.3d at 1178. 117 Evidence that would tend to support an exercise of our discretion under this standard might include, for example: (a) a sentence increased substantially based on a Booker error, see Clifton, 406 F.3d 1173, 1181, 2005 WL 941581, at ; (b) a showing that the district court would likely impose a significantly lighter sentence on remand, see id. at 1184, 2005 WL 941581, at ; (c) a substantial lack of evidence to support the entire sentence the Guidelines required the district court to impose, see id. at 1181-82, 2005 WL 941581, at -; (d) a showing that objective consideration of the § 3553(a) factors warrants a departure from the sentence suggested by the Guidelines, see United States v. Trujillo-Terrazas, 405 F.3d 814, 821, 2005 WL 880896,  (10th Cir. Apr.13, 2005); or (e) other evidence peculiar to the defendant that demonstrates a complete breakdown in the sentencing process, see Clifton, 406 F.3d 1173, 2005 WL 941581, at . 118 To the contrary, a generalized assertion of error anchored solely to a Sixth Amendment violation or mandatory application of the Guidelines does not meet this standard. Furthermore, we are less likely to exercise our discretion to notice constitutional Booker error where the defendant failed to contest the judge-found facts on which the sentence was enhanced before the district court. Cf. Dazey, 403 F.3d at 1178 (emphasizing that defendant vigorously contested judge-found facts in deciding to remand). 119 Turning to this case, we hold that even if Dowlin could establish her substantial rights were affected by the sentencing error, she has failed to meet her burden under the fourth prong of our plain error analysis. Although our review is less rigid because constitutional Booker error occurred, and the Booker error increased Dowlin's sentence range, Dowlin has pointed to nothing in the record that casts doubt on the fairness of her sentence. As discussed above, Dowlin did not object to the facts on which her sentence was enhanced, the record contains ample evidence supporting the sentence imposed, and she has not identified mitigating evidence the district court did not consider at sentencing which might justify a lower sentence. Further, the statement of the court recognizing its limited discretion under the mandatory Guidelines does not indicate an inclination to impose a lighter sentence if the case were remanded. Finally, there is nothing peculiar about the facts of Dowlin's case to show a breakdown in the sentencing process. The facts of the case establish that Dowlin's conduct warranted the sentence imposed. 120 In sum, Dowlin's sentence is not plainly erroneous and should not be remanded for resentencing.