Opinion ID: 608197
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Maximum Sentence Authorized.

Text: 16 Avery argues that the maximum sentence authorized, even if he were found to be a career criminal, was 12 years. He relies on 18 U.S.C. § 3559(a) which provides as follows: 17 (a) Classification--an offense that is not specifically classified by a letter grade in the section defining, is classified if the maximum term of imprisonment authorized is ... 18 (3) less than 25 years but 10 or more years as a Class C felony. 19 The maximum term for a Class C felony is not more than 12 years. 18 U.S.C. § 3581(b). The Sentencing Commission was directed by the Congress to assure that the Guidelines specified a sentence to a term of imprisonment at or near the maximum authorized for categories of defendants [who are career criminals]. 28 U.S.C. § 994(h). It is Avery's argument that the maximum term authorized is 12 years. 20 Avery's argument ignores the second part of 18 U.S.C. § 3559. Subsection b provides: An offense classified under subsection (a) carries all the incidents assigned to the applicable letter designation, except that the maximum term of imprisonment is the term authorized by the law describing the offense. Section 3559(b) obviously qualifies § 3559(a). The statute describing the offense of bank robbery provides that the maximum imprisonment is not more than 20 years. 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a). The district court sentenced Avery within the limit provided by this statute. United States v. Schiffbauer, 956 F.2d 201, 203 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, U.S. ----, 113 S.Ct. 274, 121 L.Ed.2d 202 (1992). 21 AFFIRMED.