Home > 108th Congressional Public Laws > Pub.L. 108-022 To provide for the use and distribution of certain funds awarded to the Gila River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and for other purposes. ...Pub.L. 108-022 To provide for the use and distribution of certain funds awarded to the Gila River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and for other purposes. ...
``Under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 3553(b)(2), the sentencing court may impose a
sentence below the range established by the applicable guidelines only
if the court finds that there exists a mitigating circumstance of a
kind, or to a degree, that--
``(1) has been affirmatively and specifically identified as a
permissible ground of downward departure in the sentencing
guidelines or policy statements issued under section 994(a) of
title 28, United States Code, taking account of any amendments
to such sentencing guidelines or policy statements by act of
Congress;
``(2) has not adequately been taken into consideration by the
Sentencing Commission in formulating the guidelines; and
``(3) should result in a sentence different from that described.
[[Page 117 STAT. 669]]
The grounds enumerated in this Part K of chapter 5 are the sole grounds
that have been affirmatively and specifically identified as a
permissible ground of downward departure in these sentencing guidelines
and policy statements. Thus, notwithstanding any other reference to
authority to depart downward elsewhere in this Sentencing Manual, a
ground of downward departure has not been affirmatively and specifically
identified as a permissible ground of downward departure within the
meaning of section 3553(b)(2) unless it is expressly enumerated in this
Part K as a ground upon which a downward departure may be granted.''.
(2) At the end of part K of chapter 5, add the following:
``Sec. 5K2.22 Specific Offender Characteristics as Grounds for
Downward Departure in child crimes and
sexual offenses (Policy Statement)
``In sentencing a defendant convicted of an offense under section 1201
involving a minor victim, an offense under section 1591, or an offense
under chapter 71, 109A, 110, or 117 of title 18, United States Code, age
may be a reason to impose a sentence below the applicable guideline
range only if and to the extent permitted by Sec. 5H1.1.
``An extraordinary physical impairment may be a reason to impose a
sentence below the applicable guideline range only if and to the extent
permitted by Sec. 5H1.4. Drug, alcohol, or gambling dependence or abuse
is not a reason for imposing a sentence below the guidelines.
(3) Section 5K2.20 is amended by striking ``A'' and
inserting ``Except where a defendant is convicted of an offense
under section 1201 involving a minor victim, an offense under
section 1591, or an offense under chapter 71, 109A, 110, or 117
of title 18, United States Code, a''.
(4) Section 5H1.6 is amended by inserting after the first
sentence the following: ``In sentencing a defendant convicted of
an offense under section 1201 involving a minor victim, an
offense under section 1591, or an offense under chapter 71,
109A, 110, or 117 of title 18, United States Code, family ties
and responsibilities and community ties are not relevant in
determining whether a sentence should be below the applicable
guideline range.''.
(5) Section 5K2.13 is amended by--
(A) striking ``or'' before ``(3)''; and
(B) replacing ``public'' with ``public; or (4) the
defendant has been convicted of an offense under chapter
71, 109A, 110, or 117 of title 18, United States
Code.''.
(c) Statement of Reasons for Imposing a Sentence.--Section 3553(c)
of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``described.'' and inserting ``described,
which reasons must also be stated with specificity in the
written order of judgment and commitment, except to the extent
that the court relies upon statements received in camera in
accordance with Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 32. In the
event that the court relies upon statements received in camera
in accordance with Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 32 the
court shall state that such statements were so received and that
it relied upon the content of such statements.'';
(2) by inserting ``, together with the order of judgment and
commitment,'' after ``the court's statement of reasons''; and
[[Page 117 STAT. 670]]
(3) by inserting ``and to the Sentencing Commission,'' after
``to the Probation System''.
(d) Review of a Sentence.--
(1) Review of departures.--Section 3742(e)(3) of title 18,
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(3) is outside the applicable guideline range, and
``(A) the district court failed to provide the
written statement of reasons required by section
3553(c);
``(B) the sentence departs from the applicable
guideline range based on a factor that--
``(i) does not advance the objectives set
forth in section 3553(a)(2); or
``(ii) is not authorized under section
3553(b); or
``(iii) is not justified by the facts of the
case; or
``(C) the sentence departs to an unreasonable degree
from the applicable guidelines range, having regard for
the factors to be considered in imposing a sentence, as
set forth in section 3553(a) of this title and the
reasons for the imposition of the particular sentence,
as stated by the district court pursuant to the
provisions of section 3553(c); or''.
(2) Standard of review.--The last paragraph of section
3742(e) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking
``shall give due deference to the district court's application
of the guidelines to the facts'' and inserting ``, except with
respect to determinations under subsection (3)(A) or (3)(B),
shall give due deference to the district court's application of
the guidelines to the facts. With respect to determinations
under subsection (3)(A) or (3)(B), the court of appeals shall
review de novo the district court's application of the
guidelines to the facts''.
(3) Decision and disposition.--
(A) The first paragraph of section 3742(f) of title
18, United States Code, is amended by striking ``the
sentence'';
(B) Section 3742(f)(1) of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by inserting ``the sentence'' before
``was imposed'';
(C) Section 3742(f)(2) of title 18, United States
Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(2) the sentence is outside the applicable guideline range
and the district court failed to provide the required statement
of reasons in the order of judgment and commitment, or the
departure is based on an impermissible factor, or is to an
unreasonable degree, or the sentence was imposed for an offense
for which there is no applicable sentencing guideline and is
plainly unreasonable, it shall state specific reasons for its
conclusions and--
``(A) if it determines that the sentence is too high
and the appeal has been filed under subsection (a), it
shall set aside the sentence and remand the case for
further sentencing proceedings with such instructions as
the court considers appropriate, subject to subsection
(g);
``(B) if it determines that the sentence is too low
and the appeal has been filed under subsection (b), it
shall set aside the sentence and remand the case for
further sentencing proceedings with such instructions as
the court considers appropriate, subject to subsection
(g);''; and
[[Page 117 STAT. 671]]
(D) Section 3742(f)(3) of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by inserting ``the sentence'' before
``is not described''.
(e) Imposition of Sentence Upon Remand.--Section 3742 of title 18,
United States Code, is amended by redesignating subsections (g) and (h)
as subsections (h) and (i) and by inserting the following after
subsection (f):
``(g) Sentencing Upon Remand.--A district court to which a case is
remanded pursuant to subsection (f)(1) or (f)(2) shall resentence a
defendant in accordance with section 3553 and with such instructions as
may have been given by the court of appeals, except that--
``(1) In determining the range referred to in subsection
3553(a)(4), the court shall apply the guidelines issued by the
Sentencing Commission pursuant to section 994(a)(1) of title 28,
United States Code, and that were in effect on the date of the
previous sentencing of the defendant prior to the appeal,
together with any amendments thereto by any act of Congress that
was in effect on such date; and
``(2) The court shall not impose a sentence outside the
applicable guidelines range except upon a ground that--
``(A) was specifically and affirmatively included in
the written statement of reasons required by section
3553(c) in connection with the previous sentencing of
the defendant prior to the appeal; and
``(B) was held by the court of appeals, in remanding
the case, to be a permissible ground of departure.''.
(f) Definitions.--Section 3742 of title 18, United States Code, as
amended by subsection (e), is further amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(j) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) a factor is a `permissible' ground of departure if
it--
``(A) advances the objectives set forth in section
3553(a)(2); and
``(B) is authorized under section 3553(b); and
``(C) is justified by the facts of the case; and
``(2) a factor is an `impermissible' ground of departure if
it is not a permissible factor within the meaning of subsection
(j)(1).''.
(g) Reform <<NOTE: 28 USC 994 note.>> of Guidelines Governing
Acceptance of Responsibility.--Subject to subsection (j), the Guidelines
Manual promulgated by the Sentencing Commission pursuant to section
994(a) of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 3E1.1(b)--
(A) by inserting ``upon motion of the government
stating that'' immediately before ``the defendant has
assisted authorities''; and
(B) by striking ``taking one or more'' and all that
follows through and including ``additional level'' and
insert ``timely notifying authorities of his intention
to enter a plea of guilty, thereby permitting the
government to avoid preparing for trial and permitting
the government and the court to allocate their resources
efficiently, decrease the offense level by 1 additional
level'';
(2) in the Application Notes to the Commentary to section
3E1.1, by amending Application Note 6--
(A) by striking ``one or both of''; and
[[Page 117 STAT. 672]]
(B) by adding the following new sentence at the end:
``Because the Government is in the best position to
determine whether the defendant has assisted authorities
in a manner that avoids preparing for trial, an
adjustment under subsection (b) may only be granted upon
a formal motion by the Government at the time of
sentencing.''; and
(3) in the Background to section 3E1.1, by striking ``one or
more of''.
(h) Improved Data Collection.--Section 994(w) of title 28, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(w)(1) <<NOTE: Deadline. Reports.>> The Chief Judge of each
district court shall ensure that, within 30 days following entry of
judgment in every criminal case, the sentencing court submits to the
Commission a written report of the sentence, the offense for which it is
imposed, the age, race, sex of the offender, and information regarding
factors made relevant by the guidelines. The report shall also include--
``(A) the judgment and commitment order;
``(B) the statement of reasons for the sentence imposed
(which shall include the reason for any departure from the
otherwise applicable guideline range);
``(C) any plea agreement;
``(D) the indictment or other charging document;
``(E) the presentence report; and
``(F) any other information as the Commission finds
appropriate.
``(2) The Commission shall, upon request, make available to
the House and Senate Committees on the Judiciary, the written
reports and all underlying records accompanying those reports
described in this section, as well as other records received
from courts.
``(3) The Commission shall submit to Congress at least
annually an analysis of these documents, any recommendations for
legislation that the Commission concludes is warranted by that
analysis, and an accounting of those districts that the
Commission believes have not submitted the appropriate
information and documents required by this section.
``(4) The Commission shall make available to the Attorney
General, upon request, such data files as the Commission may
assemble or maintain in electronic form that include any
information submitted under paragraph (1). Such data files shall
be made available in electronic form and shall include all data
fields requested, including the identity of the sentencing
judge.''.
(i) Sentencing <<NOTE: 28 USC 994 note.>> Guidelines Amendments.--
(1) Subject to subsection (j), the Guidelines Manual promulgated by the
Sentencing Commission pursuant to section 994(a) of title 28, United
States Code, is amended as follows:
(A) Application Note 4(b)(i) to section 4B1.5 is amended to
read as follows:
``(i) In general.--For purposes of subsection
(b), the defendant engaged in a pattern of
activity involving prohibited sexual conduct if on
at least two separate occasions, the defendant
engaged in prohibited sexual conduct with a
minor.''.
(B) Section 2G2.4(b) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
[[Page 117 STAT. 673]]
``(4) If the offense involved material that portrays
sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence,
increase by 4 levels.
``(5) If the offense involved--
``(A) at least 10 images, but fewer than 150,
increase by 2 levels;
``(B) at least 150 images, but fewer than 300,
increase by 3 levels;
``(C) at least 300 images, but fewer than 600,
increase by 4 levels; and
``(D) 600 or more images, increase by 5 levels.''.
(C) Section 2G2.2(b) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(6) If the offense involved--
``(A) at least 10 images, but fewer than 150,
increase by 2 levels;
``(B) at least 150 images, but fewer than 300,
increase by 3 levels;
``(C) at least 300 images, but fewer than 600,
increase by 4 levels; and
``(D) 600 or more images, increase by 5 levels.''.
(2) The Sentencing Commission shall amend the Sentencing Guidelines
to ensure that the Guidelines adequately reflect the seriousness of the
offenses under sections 2243(b), 2244(a)(4), and 2244(b) of title 18,
United States Code.
(j) Conforming <<NOTE: 28 USC 994 note.>> Amendments.--
(1) Upon enactment of this Act, the Sentencing Commission
shall forthwith distribute to all courts of the United States
and to the United States Probation System the amendments made by
subsections (b), (g), and (i) of this section to the sentencing
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