Opinion
Case No. 12-20039
07-01-2012
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. ROBERT SIMPSON Defendant.
Judge Robert H. Cleland
ORDER SETTING SENTENCING AND DEADLINE DATES
AND IMPOSING OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
The Defendant having been convicted and referred to the Probation Department for the preparation of a Presentence Report (PSR), IT IS ORDERED as follows: 1) Sentence will be imposed on OCTOBER 30, 2012 at 2:00 PM. If a custodial sentence is imposed, the defendant must be prepared to submit to custody on the day of sentencing. 2) On or before SEPTEMBER 11, 2012, the PSR must be submitted to counsel by the Probation Officer for review and possible objections. 3) On or before SEPTEMBER 25, 2012, any PSR objection must be stated to the Probation Officer (but cannot be filed on the docket). In stating an objection, counsel must use a format substantially similar to the attached Addendum. A purported PSR objection originating in a letter, an e-mail, a "sentencing memorandum," etc., will be rejected by the Probation Officer and returned to the party who provided it. 4) On or before OCTOBER 9, 2012, the proposed final form of the PSR must be delivered to the court by the Probation Department. 5) Not later than OCTOBER 16, 2012, any request by either party for a departure or variance from the Guidelines range must be presented in the form of a motion with a supporting brief. 6) Not later than SEVEN DAYS before sentencing, any opposition to the other party's motion for departure or variance motion must be filed. 7) A Sentencing Memorandum is optional, but due SEVEN DAYS before sentencing. 8) Counsel must provide a copy of any motion, opposition to a motion, and memorandum to the Probation Officer. 9) Allocution at sentencing will ordinarily not exceed ten minutes for Defendant's counsel, ten minutes for Defendant and ten minutes for government counsel.
A sentencing memorandum is often superfluous in light of a motion for variance, and more important in the absence of such a motion. Memoranda are ordinarily reviewed by the court in the few days leading to sentencing. Do not use a sentencing memorandum as a substitute for a motion for a USSG departure or 18 USC §3553(a)(2) variance in sentence.
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Robert H. Cleland
United States District Judge
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was served upon counsel of record on July 1, 2012, by electronic and/or ordinary mail.
Lisa Wagner
Case Manager
SAMPLE
PRESENTENCE REPORT ADDENDUM
Defendant's name:
Docket #:
Date:
Objection #:
Page #:
Paragraph #:
Line(s) #:
Section I: Defendant's/Government's objection:
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Attorney's signature
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I affirm the truth of every factual statement above.
Defendant's signature
Section II: Probation officer's comments:
Instructions for counsel
(Do not replicate instructions on the Addendum to be submitted)
1) Provide all objections directly to the Probation Officer, and do not file them on the docket.
2) Any objection or claim that a guideline or application note has been incorrectly applied or omitted must be accompanied by a clear explanation. Saying only that "the defendant disputes" a fact without providing an alternate explanation or reference to specific evidence is generally unavailing.
3) Do not use the Addendum format or the formal "objection" process to merely
• point out a minor factual error, i.e., those that have no effect on guideline calculations nor forms the basis for a departure. Such claims may be presented to the Probation Officer by letter or memorandum.
• argue a mechanical result or an alternate guideline calculation that depends on the resolution of a challenged factual item.
• react to required PSR comments such as factors for possible departure. Such matters may be presented to the court in the form of a sentencing memorandum.
4) When a party has presented a material objection that has not been accepted by the Probation Officer and remains for resolution by the court, any opposition must expressed in writing whether or not the court specifically orders a response. Always provide a copy to the Probation Officer. Responses should correspond to the numbering of the objection(s) and clearly explain the party's position in reaction to the objection.