United States v. Robinson

Opinions of the United
2008 Decisions States Court of Appeals
for the Third Circuit
9-26-2008
USA v. Robinson
Precedential or Non-Precedential: Non-Precedential
Docket No. 06-4833
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NOT PRECEDENTIAL
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
No. 06-4833
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
v.
DAVID ROBINSON,
Appellant
____________
On Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
(D.C. No. 04-cr-00655)
District Judge: Honorable Berle M. Schiller
____________
Submitted Under Third Circuit L.A.R. 34.1(a)
September 12, 2008
____________
Before: SLOVITER, FUENTES and ALDISERT, Circuit Judges
(Filed: September 26, 2008)
____________
OPINION
ALDISERT, Circuit Judge
Appellant David Robinson contends that his sentence of 151 months of
imprisonment, five years of supervised release, restitution in the amount of $5,886 and a
special assessment of $400 is unreasonable and that his case should be remanded for
resentencing. Robinson contends that his sentence is unreasonable because the District
Court erred by (1) not adequately considering the statutory sentencing factors in 18
U.S.C. § 3553(a); (2) not offering an adequate explanation of its reasons for imposing this
particular sentence as required by § 3553(c); and (3) incorrectly classifying him as a
career offender. Robinson also contends the District Court erred by denying his request
for a downward departure from the sentencing guidelines. We will affirm.
I.
The burden to show unreasonableness rests on the party challenging the sentence,
and this Court gives deference to a district court’s judgment on whether sentencing was
reasonable under § 3553(a). United States v. Cooper, 437 F.3d 324, 330 (3d Cir. 2006). A
district court need not state on the record that it has explicitly considered each of the §
3553(a) factors nor explicitly record its consideration of each factor. Instead, “the record
must demonstrate that the trial court gave meaningful consideration to the § 3553(a)
factors.” Id. at 329.
Robinson contends that the District Court unduly focused on § 3553(a)(4). It is
clear, however, that the District Court also considered other factors. See App. 58-64. For
example, the District Court considered “the nature and circumstances of the offense and
the history and characteristics of the defendant,” 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(1); “the need for the
sentence imposed to reflect the seriousness of the offense, promote respect for the law,
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and to provide just punishment,” id. § 3553(a)(2)(A); “the need for the sentence imposed
to afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct,” id. § 3553(a)(2)(B); “the need for the
sentence imposed to provide the defendant with the needed . . . medical care, or other
correctional treatment in the most effective manner,” id. § 3553(a)(2)(D); and “the need
to protect the public from further crimes of the defendant,” id. § 3553(a)(2)(C). Based on
the District Court’s treatment of the factors and the deference due the District Court, we
are satisfied that the District Court adequately considered the § 3553(a) factors.
II.
Robinson also contends that the District Court did not fulfill the requirements of §
3553(c). Section 3553(c) requires a district court to “state in open court the reasons for its
imposition of a particular sentence.” 18 U.S.C. § 3553(c). This Court has found the
requirement satisfied “when a district court indicates the applicable Guideline range, and
how it was chosen.” United States v. Georgiadis, 933 F.2d 1219, 1223 (3d Cir. 1991). If
the range exceeds 24 months, the district court must state “the reason for imposing a
sentence at a particular point within the range.” 18 U.S.C. § 3553(c)(1).
The District Court explained that it was imposing a sentence consistent with the
guidelines and reflective of the § 3553(a) factors, with a focus on Robinson’s failure to
capitalize on the opportunities given through lenient sentences for his previous crimes.
See App. 60. Accordingly, we are satisfied that the District Court fulfilled the
requirements of § 3553(c).
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III.
Robinson also contends that his sentence is unreasonable because the District
Court incorrectly found him to be a career offender. In his brief on appeal, however,
Robinson concedes that he qualifies under the sentencing statute as a career offender.
Appellant’s Br. at 31. Given Robinson’s criminal history, we are satisfied with the
District Court’s finding that Robinson was a career offender.
IV.
Finally, Robinson contends that the District Court erred in denying a downward
departure from the sentencing guidelines. We decline to review this claim because we
lack jurisdiction to review a district court’s decision to deny a downward departure.
Cooper, 437 F.3d at 332-333.
*****
We have considered all of the contentions presented by the parties and conclude
that no further discussion is necessary.
The judgment of the District Court will be affirmed.
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