Opinion ID: 582662
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Basis for an upward departure from category VI

Text: 49 The guidelines identify prior consolidated sentences for independent crimes committed on different occasions as one possible justification for an upward departure based on the inadequacy of a defendant's criminal history category. See U.S.S.G. § 4A1.3(b). The commentary accompanying section 4A1.2 counsels that 50 [t]he court should be aware that there may be instances in which this definition [of related cases] is overly broad and will result in a criminal history score that underrepresents the seriousness of the defendant's criminal history and the danger that he presents to the public. For example, if the defendant commits a number of offenses on independent occasions separated by arrests, and the resulting criminal cases are consolidated and result in a combined sentence of eight years, counting merely three points for this factor will not adequately reflect either the seriousness of the defendant's criminal history or the frequency with which he commits crimes. In such circumstances, the court should consider whether departure is warranted. See § 4A1.3. 51 U.S.S.G. § 4A1.2, comment. (n. 3). 5 See also United States v. Bishop, 921 F.2d 1068, 1071-72 (10th Cir.1990) (holding that upward departure under section 4A1.3 was justified on the basis of prior consolidated sentences), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 111 S.Ct. 2034, 114 L.Ed.2d 119 (1991); United States v. Ocasio, 914 F.2d 330, 335-36 (1st Cir.1990) (same). 52