Opinion ID: 754768
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Defendant's Acceptance of Responsibility

Text: 23 Scott next contends that the district court erred in refusing to grant her a two-level downward adjustment of her base offense level, despite the fact that she accepted responsibility for her actions. Scott argues that the court's refusal runs contrary to the dictates of the Sentencing Guidelines, which provide that a defendant who clearly demonstrates acceptance of responsibility for her actions will be eligible for a two-level decrease in base offense level. U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1(a). The trial judge denied Scott's request because he determined that Scott failed to admit her culpable conduct even after trial, despite her ability to do so. In fact, Scott only expressed remorse over her actions upon her incarceration. 24 Generally, [w]hether a defendant has fully accepted responsibility for his offense is a finding of fact to be made by the trial court, and is based largely on the district judge's determinations regarding the defendant's credibility and conduct.... United States v. Schaefer, 107 F.3d 1280, 1289 (7th Cir.1997). As a result, this Court reviews trial court determinations concerning whether to credit a defendant for accepting responsibility under the deferential clearly erroneous standard. See United States v. Boatner, 99 F.3d 831, 839 (7th Cir.1996) (citation omitted). Defendants who fail to demonstrate that the district court's reasons for denying a reduction in base offense level were without foundation will not succeed on appeal. See United States v. Panadero, 7 F.3d 691, 694 (7th Cir.1993) (citation omitted). 25 Scott contends that due to the verdict's effect on her mental condition, she was unable to express remorse for her actions. Scott claims she is entitled to the reduction because in the interim, she has accepted responsibility to the extent of her ability. Scott relies on United States v. Braxton, 903 F.2d 292 (4th Cir.1990), overturned on other grounds, 500 U.S. 344, 111 S.Ct. 1854, 114 L.Ed.2d 385 (1991), to support her contention. In Braxton, the trial court denied a schizophrenic defendant's request for a reduction in offense level on the grounds that even though the defendant had accepted responsibility to the extent possible for assault and use of a firearm, he failed to rehabilitate himself after the crime. See id. at 295-96. The Fourth Circuit reversed as a matter of law, holding only that the district judge erred by taking rehabilitation into consideration in his decision. See id. at 296. Thus, the Braxton court did not hold that defendants who are incapable of fully accepting responsibility are entitled to a reduction, as Scott would have us believe. See id. That is, the Fourth Circuit ultimately did not reverse the district court's refusal to grant the offense level reduction. See id. 26 The trial judge ruled that Scott was not entitled to the reduction in offense level because she neither admitted guilt nor expressed remorse about anything other than her imprisonment, and we agree. After initially admitting her involvement in the Alvarez and Bridges conspiracies, Scott denied guilt by seeking to suppress the confession, claiming she could not remember the substance of her oral and written statements to the police. Scott's denial is typical of behavior which is excluded from protection under section 3E1.1 of the Guidelines. The offense level reduction 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, Application Note 2. Also, Scott's pretrial statements and conduct belie her supposed acceptance of responsibility. Scott attempted to disassociate herself from Alvarez after her pre-trial release, she failed to surrender voluntarily or cooperate with police, she took no steps towards rehabilitation, and she made no restitution. Furthermore, Scott put the Government to its proof at trial, maintaining her innocence throughout. District courts will rarely grant an offense level reduction to a defendant who goes to trial. See United States v. Corral-Ibarra, 25 F.3d 430, 439-40 (7th Cir.1994). The reduction for a timely acceptance of responsibility was not adopted with the idea that a defendant might lessen his or her sentence with a last minute, formalistic demonstration of remorse after the government has been forced to expend a great deal of time and resources in gathering an overwhelming case. United States v. Tolson, 988 F.2d 1494, 1499 (7th Cir.1993) (citation omitted).