Court Opinion

ID: 663996
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2012-04-16 07:24:39+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:15:12.452118
License: Public Domain

17 F.3d 396
NOTICE: Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3 provides that dispositions other than opinions or orders designated for publication are not precedential and should not be cited except when relevant under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, or collateral estoppel.UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee,v.Aaron Lamont CARTER, Defendant-Appellant.
No. 93-30204.
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
Submitted Dec. 20, 1993.*Decided Jan. 7, 1994.

Before:  SNEED, NOONAN, and TROTT, Circuit Judges.

1
MEMORANDUM**

2
Aaron Lamont Carter appeals his 84-month sentence following a guilty plea to knowingly distributing a substance containing cocaine base in violation of 21 U.S.C. Sec. 841(a).  Carter contends the district court erred by refusing to depart downward based upon his alleged overrepresented criminal history category.  Specifically, he argues that the district court erroneously concluded that a departure would be meaningless because the applicable sentencing ranges overlapped, and thus failed to exercise its discretion.  We disagree and dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction.

3
We lack jurisdiction to review a district court's discretionary refusal to depart downward from the Guidelines.   United States v. Robinson, 958 F.2d 268, 272 (9th Cir.1992).

4
At sentencing, the district court allowed defense counsel to argue in support of a downward departure, afforded Carter his right of allocution, and concluded that "I do not feel the criminal history is overstated....  I decline that kind of departure."

5
Because the court exercised its discretion by refusing to depart from the Guidelines, we lack jurisdiction to review this decision.  See id.

6
DISMISSED.

*
 The panel unanimously finds this case suitable for decision without oral argument.  Fed.R.App.P. 34(a);  9th Cir.R. 34-4

**
 This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as provided by 9th Cir.R. 36-3