Court Opinion

ID: 9484495
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 09:55:07.692173+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:50:16.849613
License: Public Domain

•BRIGHT, Senior Circuit Judge,
concurring separately.
Although the district judge did not commit error in this case, the underlying circumstances disclosed by the PSR might justify a sentence below the guideline range and a waiver of any fine because of family hardship.
This was Vidrickson’s first conviction. The record shows he has met his substantial family obligations and has maintained a good employment record. His employer wrote the court that Vidricksoh is:
‘one of the best salesman employees that has ever worked for his company. His work habits and attendance have been excellent, his sales ability is top notch. His attention to detail and thoroughness concerning his job is the best. He is very reliable. I can always depend on him to get the job done. He is well liked and very respected by all the customers he calls on. He is truly an asset to the company.’
Sent.Tr. at 4.
The family will need to sell assets to pay the assessed fine. Vidrickson’s incarceration reduces the monthly cash flow to his wife and children from $2,550 to something less than $800 per month and makes it impossible for him to comply with his child support obligation of $225 per month. It takes no stretch of the imagination to conclude the family assets will soon be exhausted for simple living expenses, not to mention the outstanding bills from Mrs. Vidrickson’s prior serious illness.5 But this result follows from a rigid application of the sentencing guidelines.
Vidrickson seems unlikely to repeat his offense. Many people will suffer because of his sentence. Because of extreme hardship to the family, the court could justify a downward departure from the guideline range and a waiver of the fine without sacrificing society’s interest in the punishment of the offender.

. Although the trial court directed that the fine might be paid in installments, nevertheless the assets would need to be sold not only to pay the fine but to sustain the family during incarceration. Considering Mrs. Vidrickson’s meager income, the reserve will soon be exhausted.