United States v. Daniel Joseph Bell

ORDER

The memorandum disposition filed November 24, 1992 is redesignated as a per curiam opinion.

OPINION

Daniel Joseph Bell (Bell) appeals the sentence, imposed pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 924 (e), upon his guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922 (g)(1). We vacate the sentence and remand for resentencing.

The sentence enhancement was predicated on four felony convictions: three first degree burglary convictions in Oregon in 1981 and 1985, and one second degree burglary conviction in Washington in 1987. Bell was discharged from the three Oregon convictions in August 1989, and his civil rights were thereupon restored. Or.Rev.Stat. § 137.281 (1987).

A conviction for which a defendant has had his civil rights restored may not be counted as a predicate conviction. 18 U.S.C. § 921 (a)(20). To determine whether a particular civil right has been restored, the sentencing court must look to the whole of state law at the time of the restoration, without regard to whether state law subsequently changed that right. United States v. Cardwell, 967 F.2d 1349, 1350-51 (9th Cir.1992). When Bell’s civil rights were restored, discharged felons could…