Torres-Acosta

United States v. Torres-Acosta

Good Law
153 F. App'x 986
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth CircuitNovember 14, 2005No. 04-10487California288 words

Opinion

Lead Opinion

MEMORANDUM *

1. Ricardo Torres-Acosta’s argument that the sentencing enhancement for his prior crimes violates his Sixth Amendment rights “is foreclosed ... [because] Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466 , 120 S.Ct. 2348 , 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000) carves out an exception for proving the fact of prior conviction.” United States v. Brown, 417 F.3d 1077,1078-79 (9th Cir.2005).

2. The district court’s denial of Torres-Acosta’s request for an additional reduction for acceptance of responsibility did not constitute plain error under the separation of powers doctrine or the due process clause. See United States v. Ayarza, 874 F.2d 647, 653 (9th Cir.1989); see also United States v. Murphy, 65 F.3d 758, 762, 764 (9th Cir.1995).

3. The government’s decision to decline to file a motion for the additional one-level adjustment for acceptance of responsibility was not plainly erroneous. See United States v. Awad, 371 F.3d 583, 587 (9th Cir.2004) (concluding under an analogous Guidelines section that the government has no duty to make such a motion).

4. The judgment correctly stated a violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326 (a) as enhanced by 8 U.S.C. § 1326 (b)(2). Because no separate violation was…

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.