Opinion ID: 462475
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Objections to Sentence

Text: 41 Lamp, who faced a maximum possible sentence of twenty-five years in prison, was given a twelve-year term. He argues that this sentence was disproportionate under Solem v. Helm, 463 U.S. 277, 103 S.Ct. 3001, 77 L.Ed.2d 637 (1983). In Solem, the Supreme Court held that a defendant was unconstitutionally sentenced to life imprisonment without parole, under an habitual-offender statute, following conviction for passing a bad check. Lamp's sentence was certainly not disproportionate within the meaning of Solem v. Helm, which recognized that: In view of the substantial deference that must be accorded legislatures and sentencing courts, a reviewing court rarely will be required to engage in extended analysis to determine that a sentence is not constitutionally disproportionate. 463 U.S. at 290 n. 16, 103 S.Ct. at 3009 n. 16. See also Whitmore v. Maggio, 742 F.2d 230 (5th Cir.1984). 42 Eberwine and Yuretich argue that the sentencing judge employed a mechanical sentencing policy that violated United States v. Cavazos, 530 F.2d 4 (5th Cir.1976), and United States v. Hartford, 489 F.2d 652 (5th Cir.1974). This argument is predicated on a remark made by the sentencing judge when he explained why he was rejecting Yuretich's plea for probation. He remarked that he could not recall ever declining to impose a prison sentence on someone who had been convicted of lying to a grand jury and went on to explain why he considered this such a serious offense. 43 In Cavazos the judge acknowledged that he refused to consider probation for persons convicted of certain offenses. In Hartford the judge automatically imposed a maximum statutory sentence on persons convicted of certain offenses. Here, the sentencing judge certainly considered giving Yuretich probation; there is no rule that forbids a judge from observing that he has not yet found probation appropriate for a certain category of offenses. We find no defect in the sentence.