Yazzie

United States v. Yazzie

Good Law
32 F. App'x 489
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth CircuitApril 15, 2002No. 01-10396; D.C. No. CR-00-00780-PGRCalifornia255 words

Opinion

Lead Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

John H. Yazzie appeals his sentence of five months and one day imposed following his guilty plea to interstate transportation of stolen property, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2314 . Yazzie contends that we have jurisdiction to review the district court’s denial of a downward departure because the district court judge applied an incorrect definition of aberrant behavior and relied on improper factual findings. This contention lacks merit.

We lack jurisdiction to review a district court’s discretionary decision to deny a motion for downward departure from the applicable guideline range. See United *490 States v. Morales, 898 F.2d 99, 102-103 (9th Cir.1990). The decision is reviewable only if the district court indicated that it did not have the legal authority to depart. See United States v. Berger, 103 F.3d 67, 70 (9th Cir.1996) (stating that the district court’s decision to deny a downward departure is considered discretionary unless the district court indicates that it believes it can not depart as a matter of law).

The record before us does not contain any indication that the district court believed it could not depart as a matter of law. Id. We conclude from…

Sign in to read the full opinion

Create a free account to read the complete opinion text, citation history, and good-law status for this case.