Court Opinion

ID: 9498350
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 17:15:18.831724+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:58:46.985335
License: Public Domain

GRUENDER, Circuit Judge,
concurring.
I concur in the judgment of the Court and all parts of the opinion except for that part of the opinion expressing concern that the district court’s “alternate sentence was not accompanied by any discussion of the statutory factors or their relationship to the sentence imposed.” Supra p. 6. In my opinion, the sentencing record as a whole reflects that the district court adequately complied with 18 U.S.C. § 3553(c).
The Court is certainly correct that “[ejven after Booker, 18 U.S.C. § 3553(c) requires the district court to state its reasons for the imposition of a particular sentence.” Supra p. 6. Also after Booker, “[t]he appropriate guidelines range ... remains the critical starting point for the imposition of a sentence under § 3553(a).” United States v. Mashek, 406 F.3d 1012, 1016 n. 4 (8th Cir.2005). There is no question that the district court announced, in open court, how it arrived at Engler’s guidelines range. See 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(4). Further, when the district court pronounced its initial guidelines sentence, it referred to the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant. See 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(1). In other places during Engler’s sentencing, the concepts of drug addiction and treatment, § 3553(a)(2)(D), the seriousness of the offense, § 3553(a)(2)(A), and the kinds of sentences available, § 3553(a)(3), were discussed. I readily concede that the district court did not repeat these points when it pronounced the alternative discretionary sentence, but such an exercise would have been redundant. Indeed, Engler did not challenge on appeal the sufficiency of the district court’s statement of reasons for the sentence imposed.
After Booker, it is especially critical that a sentencing court provide a statement of reasons for its sentence when the sentence involves a guidelines departure or when the court varies from the .appropriate advisory sentencing guidelines range based on *698one or more of the factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). This approach reflects the fact that many of the § 3553(a) factors are accounted for by the sentencing guidelines, see 28 U.S.C. § 994 (setting forth considerations for the Sentencing Commission in establishing sentencing guidelines), as well as the fact that a “sentence imposed ... consistent with the now-advisory guidelines ... is generally indicative of reasonableness.” United States v. Shannon, 414 F.3d 921, 924 (8th Cir.2005). Of course, when a party makes a specific argument for a departure or variance, the district court should provide specific reasons for its ruling on that argument to facilitate appellate review.