Opinion
CRIMINAL NO. 1:02-132-CMC.
June 17, 2011
OPINION and ORDER
This matter is before the court on Defendant's letter requesting termination of supervised release. The Clerk is directed to file this letter as of the filing date of this Order.
The United States Probation Office has notified this court by letter that it opposes the request at this time, but that it recommends that Defendant be placed on minimum risk supervision. The Government has indicated that it opposes Defendant's request.
Title 18 United States Code Section 3583(e) provides that
The court may, after considering the factors set forth in section 3553(a)(1), (a)(2)(B), (a)(2)(C), (a)(2)(D), (a)(4), (a)(5), (a)(6), and (a)(7) —
(1) terminate a term of supervised release and discharge the defendant released at any time after the expiration of one year of supervised release, pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure relating to the modification of probation, if it is satisfied that such action is warranted by the conduct of the defendant released and the interest of justice. . . .
Considerations contained in § 3553 include, inter alia, the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant; the ability to afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct; the need to protect the public from further crimes of the defendant; and the need to provide the defendant with needed educational or vocational training, medical care, or other correctional treatment in the most effective manner. 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
"The plain language of the statute illustrates that § 3583(e), in the typical case, allows a conduct-based inquiry into the continued necessity for supervision after the individual has served one full year on supervised release." United States v. Pregent, 190 F.3d 279, 282-83 (4th Cir. 1999). However, the statute
is not exclusively limited to considerations of conduct. The language of the statute notes that the district court `may' terminate supervised release `if it is satisfied that such action is warranted by the conduct of the defendant released and the interest of justice.' The phrase `the interest of justice' does give the district court latitude to consider a broad range of factors in addition to an individual's behavior in considering whether to terminate the supervised release period.Id. at 283 (citation omitted).
While it appears Defendant's behavior since his release has been productive and positive, the court declines to terminate Defendant's supervised release at this time. Defendant's offense of conviction occurred while he was on parole for another offense. Additionally, Defendant has only served two of the eight years of supervised release which was ordered at his original sentencing. However, based upon the recommendation of the United States Probation Office, the court directs that Defendant be placed on minimum risk supervision.
Defendant's request for termination of supervision is, therefore, denied. IT IS SO ORDERED.