United States v. Hodges, 110 F.3d 250 (5th Cir. 1997). · Go Syfert
United States v. Hodges, 110 F.3d 250 (5th Cir. 1997). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“the psr does not make a recommendation regarding a fine, but rather states that 'it would be difficult' for the defendant to pay, and notes that if the defendant found gainful employment upon release from prison, his ability to pay would be increased.”
18 citation events (11 in the last 25 years) across 2 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: United States v. Jose Pacheco-Alvarado (ca5, 2015-03-30)
Top citers, strongest first. 15 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) United States v. Jose Pacheco-Alvarado (2×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
5th Cir. · 2015 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the psr does not make a recommendation regarding a fine, but rather states that 'it would be difficult' for the defendant to pay, and notes that if the defendant found gainful employment upon release from prison, his ability to pay would be increased.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In Re: Mitchell
5th Cir. · 2001 · confidence medium
United States v. Hodges, 110 F.3d 250, 251-52 (5th Cir. 1997) (applying United States v. Altamirano, 11 F.3d 52, 54 (5th Cir. 1993) (neither federal sentencing guidelines nor the Constitution categorically prohibit the imposition of a fine when the defendant is indigent)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Mitchell
5th Cir. · 2001 · confidence medium
United States v. Hodges, 110 F.3d 250, 251-52 (5th Cir. 1997) (applying United States v. Altamirano, 11 F.3d 52, 54 (5th Cir. 1993) (neither federal sentencing guidelines nor the Constitution categorically prohibit the imposition of a fine when the defendant is indigent)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Anderson
5th Cir. · 2000 · confidence medium
United States v. Hodges, 110 F.2d 250, 251-252 (5th Cir. 1997).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Maracalin
5th Cir. · 1997 · confidence medium
That portion of the judgment imposing the fine is VACATED and the case is REMANDED to the district court for further proceedings. 7 United States v. Fair, 979 F.2d 1037, 1041 (5th Cir. 1992) 8 United States v. Hodges, 110 F.3d 250, 252 (5th Cir. 1997) 9 United States v. Altimirano, 11 F.3d 52 (5th Cir. 1993) 10 See Hodges at 252 . 4
cited Cited "see" United States v. Stephen Brum
5th Cir. · 2011 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Hodges, 110 F.3d 250, 252 (5th Cir.1997); United States v. Martinez, 151 F.3d 384, 396 (5th Cir.1998).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Jarman
5th Cir. · 2006 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Hodges, 110 F.3d 250, 251 (5th Cir.1997).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Contreras
5th Cir. · 2004 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Hodges, 110 F.3d 250, 251 (5th Cir.1997).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Martinez
5th Cir. · 2004 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Hodges, 110 F.3d 250, 251 (5th Cir.1997).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Rubio-Hernandez
5th Cir. · 2003 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Hodges, 110 F.3d 250, 251 (5th Cir. 1997).
cited Cited "see" United States v. Rubio-Hernandez
5th Cir. · 2003 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Hodges, 110 F.3d 250, 251 (5th Cir.1997).
discussed Cited "see" United States v. Mier
5th Cir. · 2001 · signal: see · confidence high
In assessing a fine, the district court did not depart from the PSR and the imposition thereof was not plainly erroneous. 8 Mier has failed to demonstrate any error in the sentence or sentencing procedure and, accordingly, the sentence is AFFIRMED. 6 See § 5E1.2(a). 7 United States v. Landerman, 167 F.3d 895 (5th Cir. 1999). 8 Id. at 899-900 ; see United States v. Hodges, 110 F.3d 250 (5th Cir. 1997). 3
cited Cited "see" United States v. Crosslin
5th Cir. · 1998 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Hodges, 110 F.3d 250, 251 (5th Cir. 1997).
examined Cited "see" UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. JOANN WINTER; DENNIS WAYNE LANG; WILLIAM MARK LAWRENCE; CHARLES EMERY WITHEE; and JOSEPH WALLACE RIDGEWAY, also known as Joey Ridgeway (3×)
unknown court · signal: see · confidence high
Analysis “[S]pecific findings are necessary if the court adopts a PSR's findings, but then decides to depart from the PSR's recommendation on fines or cost of incarceration.” United States v. Fair, 979 F.2d 1037, 1040 (5th Cir. 1992); see United States. v. Hodges, 110 F.3d 250, 251 (5th Cir. 1997).
cited Cited "see, e.g." United States v. William L. Bauer
7th Cir. · 1997 · signal: see also · confidence medium
United States v. Fair, 979 F.2d 1037, 1041 (5th Cir.1992); see also United States v. Hodges, 110 F.3d 250, 251 (5th Cir.1997).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
United States
v.
Hodges
96-30715.
Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Apr 3, 1997.
110 F.3d 250
1997 WL 151756
Wisdom, Jolly, Benavides.
Published
WISDOM, Circuit Judge:

James Kevin Hodges pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to[*251] do bodily harm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 113(a)(3). He was sentenced to twenty-seven months imprisonment, followed by three years supervised release. The district court also imposed a $10,000 fine. The defendant appeals his sentence, as well as the fine.

I.

Hodges argues that the district court erred by increasing his offense level by two, pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 2A2.2(b)(l). This section permits the increase at issue where the defendant engaged in more than minimal planning prior to committing the crime.

“Review of sentences imposed under the guidelines is limited to a determination whether the sentence was in violation of law, as a result of an incorrect application of the guideline, or was outside of the applicable guideline range and was unreasonable.” [1]

For offenses involving aggravated assault, § 2A2.2(b)(l) provides for a two level increase if the assault involved more than minimal planning. The application notes to § 2A2.2 cross-reference the commentary to § 1B1.1 for a definition of “more than minimal planning”. Application note 1(f) to 1B1.1 defines “more than minimal planning” as “more planning than is typical for commission of the offense in a simple form.” The district court’s finding of “more than minimal planning” is reviewed for clear error. [2] Given the information in the presentencing investigation report (PSR), and Hodges’ failure to rebut such findings, we find no such error. [3] The sentence is affirmed.

II.

The defendant also maintains that, because he is insolvent, the district court’s imposition of a $10,000 fine was error. We agree.

In United States v. Fair, we held that a defendant could rely on the PSR to establish his inability to pay a fine. [4] We also stated that “when a sentencing court adopts a PSR which recites facts showing limited or no ability to pay a fine the government must come forward with evidence showing that a defendant can in fact pay a fine before one can be imposed.” [5] The present case falls squarely within this rule. The district court adopted the findings of the PSR. The PSR indicates that the defendant has $50 in the bank. This amount, balanced against the defendant’s $61,399 of unsecured debt, leaves the defendant with a net worth of -$61,349. The PSR also indicates that the defendant’s monthly income, derived from his spouse’s salary, is $1,410. This amount is completely consumed by $2,879 of necessary living expenses, resulting in a monthly net loss of $1,469. Clearly this shows at least a limited ability to pay a fine, if not a total inability. The PSR does not make a recommendation regarding a fine, but rather states that “it would be difficult” for the defendant to pay, and notes that if the defendant found gainful employment upon release from prison, his ability to pay would be increased.

In such a situation, Fair dictates that the government must come forward with evidence to show the defendant’s ability to pay a fine. The government did not do so and, as a result, the court made no specific findings as required by Fair. Consequently, we cannot uphold the district court’s imposition of the fine.

It has been suggested that our decision in United States v. Altamirano [6] allows a district court to impose a fine in a case such as the one at bar, and is thus inconsistent with[*252] Fair. This is not so. Altamirano simply stands for the proposition that neither the Constitution nor any other federal law categorically prohibits the imposition of a fine where a defendant is found to be indigent. [7] That principle does not affect the rules set out in Fair regarding what findings must be made before a district court may impose a fine. The holding in Fair is narrow — where a district court adopts, and a defendant relies upon, a PSR showing limited ability to pay, the government must come forward with evidence and the court must make specific findings before a fine may be imposed. Altamirano holds that, in general, a finding of indigency does not absolutely preclude the imposition of a fine. In other words, upon remand, the district court may make specific findings that the defendant is indigent, but nonetheless properly impose a fine under Altamirano. Specific findings are necessary, however, to satisfy the requirements of Fair.

For the foregoing reasons, the defendant’s sentence to incarceration is AFFIRMED. The portion of the judgement imposing the fine is VACATED and the case is REMANDED to the district court for further findings.

1

. United States v. Matovsky, 935 F.2d 719, 721 (5th Cir.1991).

2

. United States v. Clements, 73 F.3d 1330, 1341 (5th Cir.1996).

3

. The PSR generally bears sufficient indicia of reliability to be considered as evidence by the district court in resolving disputed facts relative to sentencing. United States v. Brown, 54 F.3d 234, 242 (5th Cir.1995). As such, the court is free to adopt facts in the PSR without further inquiry if the facts had an adequate evidentiary basis and the defendant does not present evidence to refute them. United States v. Puig-Infante, 19 F.3d 929, 943 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 864, 115 S.Ct. 180, 130 L.Ed.2d 115 (1994).

4

. 979 F.2d 1037, 1041 (5th Cir.1992).

6

. 11 F.3d52 (5th Cir. 1993).

7

. Id. at 54.