Opinion ID: 1849967
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Sentencing Departures

Text: The state relies in part on the analogy to the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines to argue that factors that do not justify a downward departure under the guidelines should not be considered sufficient to supply manifest injustice under Rule 15.07. Circumstances involving employment or family status are specifically excluded from consideration in making a downward departure in sentencing. Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines II.D.1. If such factors do not support a sentencing departure, which only indirectly interferes with the prosecutor's charging function, they should likewise provide no support for the acceptance of a plea to a lesser charge, which directly interferes with the charging function. We conclude that the standard of proof required to establish a manifest injustice under Rule 15.07 is at least as high as that required under Rule 15.05, which necessitates a showing of abuse of prosecutorial discretion. We hold that the factors relied upon by the district court here do not establish an abuse of prosecutorial discretion. Reversed and remanded.