At page 834 Due process requirements for challenging sentencing information66 citing cases“a defendant challenging information used in sentencing must show such information is (1) false or unreliable, and (2) demonstrably made the basis for the sentence.”
- United States v. Eric Evans, No. 19-10027 (9th Cir. Sept. 24, 2019).unpublished(A defendant challenging information used in sentencing must show such information is . . . demonstrably made the basis for the sentence.)
- United States v. Grant, No. 23-2525 (9th Cir. Dec. 24, 2024).unpublished“At sentencing[,] judges may consider a wide variety of information that could not be considered at trial.” United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir. 1986).
- United States v. Grant, No. 23-2525 (9th Cir. Oct. 24, 2024).unpublished“At sentencing[,] judges may consider a wide variety of information that could not be considered at trial.” United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir. 1986).
- United States v. Kielan Franklin, 18 F.4th 1105 (9th Cir. 2021).publishedWe then said that “[w]e will find an abuse of discretion if the defendant shows that the district court relied on materially false or unreliable information,” ibid. (citing United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir. 1986)), but w…
- United States v. Bryan Haskell, No. 21-30012 (9th Cir. Oct. 20, 2021).unpublished(defendant challenging information used in sentencing must show such information is false or unreliable)
- United States v. Dan Petri, 731 F.3d 833 (9th Cir. 2013).publishedA At sentencing, the district court has at its disposal “a wide variety of information that could not be considered at trial.” United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. Dan Petri, 706 F.3d 1178 (9th Cir. 2013).publishedA At sentencing, the district court has at its disposal “a wide variety of information that could not be considered at trial.” United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. Lugiai, 89 F. App'x 123 (9th Cir. 2004).unpublished“A defendant challenging information used in sentencing must show that such information is (1) false or unreliable, and (2) demonstrably made the basis for the sentence.” United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. Nye, 81 F. App'x 633 (9th Cir. 2003).unpublished“A defendant challenging information used in sentencing must show such information is (1) false or unreliable, and (2) demonstrably made the basis for the sentence.” United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- Dzul v. State, 56 P.3d 875 (Nev. 2002).published (holding that "a court cannot condition leniency upon a defendant's refusal to admit to a crime not charged)
Show 56 more citing cases
- United States v. Ramos-Oseguera, 120 F.3d 1028 (9th Cir. 1997).publishedUnited States v. Ayers, 924 F.2d 1468, 1481 (9th Cir.1991); United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- 97 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 6013, 97 Daily Journal D.A.R. 9887 United States of Am. v. Julio Cesar Ramos-Oseguera, AKA Jesse Sotero Ramos-Oseguera, AKA Placo Maria De Lourdes Reyes-Sandoval, AKA Ana Roberto Ramirez, AKA Carlos Montoy, AKA Prado Samuel Robles-Lopez, 120 F.3d 1028 (9th Cir. 1997).publishedUnited States v. Ayers, 924 F.2d 1468, 1481 (9th Cir.1991); United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986). 68 Contrary to Reyes's contention, the court did not believe that it could not consider the letters.
- United States v. Fred Robbin, AKA Farid Robin Abuseraj, 87 F.3d 1325 (9th Cir. 1996).unpublishedA sentence within the statutory limits "is ordinarily not reviewable unless there exist constitutional concerns." United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986). 11 At sentencing, the district court may violate a defendant's due…
- United States v. Gunther Thimm, 83 F.3d 430 (9th Cir. 1996).unpublished(judge's failure to comply with Fed.R.Crim.Proc. 32(c)(3)(D) and make findings as to disputed information required a remand for resentencing)
- United States v. Peter L. Galloway, 83 F.3d 429 (9th Cir. 1996).unpublished See Hanna, 49 F.3d at 577 ; United States v. Huckins, 53 F.3d 276, 279 (9th Cir.1995); United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986); see also Ponce, 51 F.3d at 828 (district court abused its discretion by basing its decision o…
- John G. Fairservice v. Jack McCormick Warden, Montana State Prison, 28 F.3d 105 (9th Cir. 1994).unpublished United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986); Farrow v. United States, 580 F.2d 1339, 1359 (9th Cir.1978). 5 At Fairservice's sentencing hearing, the prosecution introduced evidence, over the objections of the defense, of Fair…
- United States v. James L. Beasley, Jr., 2 F.3d 1158 (9th Cir. 1993).unpublished"A defendant challenging information used in sentencing must show such information is (1) false or unreliable, and (2) demonstrably made the basis for the sentence." United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. Jose Delacruz Trujillo, 996 F.2d 1229 (9th Cir. 1993).unpublishedUnited States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. Robert M. Petty, United States of Am. v. Melvin L. Dewitt, United States of Am. v. Pasqual Debraine, United States of Am. v. Jordan Rodrigues Quintal, Jr., 982 F.2d 1365 (9th Cir. 1993).publishedUnited States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. Robert George White, 990 F.2d 1266 (9th Cir. 1993).unpublishedUnited States v. Ayers, 924 F.2d 1468, 1481 (9th Cir.1991); United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. Reginald Fulton, 987 F.2d 631 (9th Cir. 1993).published“A defendant challenging information used in sentencing must show that such information is (1) false or unreliable, and (2) demonstrably made the basis for the sentence.” United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986), quoted in…
- United States v. Petty, 982 F.2d 1365 (9th Cir. 1993).publishedUnited States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. Timothy M. Henderson, 978 F.2d 716 (9th Cir. 1992).unpublishedUnited States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. Terry James Kohl, 972 F.2d 294 (9th Cir. 1992).publishedUnited States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. David McHenry United States of Am. v. John Gulde, 974 F.2d 1031 (9th Cir. 1992).publishedUnited States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. David McHenry United States of Am. v. John Gulde, 952 F.2d 328 (9th Cir. 1991).publishedUnited States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. Steven Lee Moore, 951 F.2d 364 (9th Cir. 1991).unpublishedUnited States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986). 4 Reliance by the trial judge on materially false or unreliable information in sentencing violates the defendant's due process rights.
- United States v. Frierson, Jerome, 945 F.2d 650 (3d Cir. 1991).published In United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986), for example, the Ninth Circuit held that a "court cannot condition leniency upon a defendant's refusal to admit to a crime not charged." 33 Finally, the Supreme Court's interpre…
- United States v. Hardy Jones, 907 F.2d 929 (9th Cir. 1990).publishedGuidelines § 6A1.3(b) provides that the court “shall resolve disputed sentencing factors in accordance with Rule 32(a)(1), Fed.R.Crim.P.” Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 32(c)(3)(D) “helps to ensure that due process is achieved at sente…
- United States v. Mario Minota Carvajal, 905 F.2d 1292 (9th Cir. 1990).publishedWe have consistently held that “[a] defendant challenging information used in sentencing must show such information is (1) false or unreliable, and (2) demonstrably made the basis for the sentence.” United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 8…
- United States v. Angel Fernandez-Angulo, 897 F.2d 1514 (9th Cir. 1990).published None is made here. 25 I would affirm the judgment of the district court and "remand in order to insure compliance with Rule 32" as interpreted by the panel. 1 United States v. Kerr, 876 F.2d 1440, 1445 (9th Cir.1989); United States v. Baro…
- United States v. Mickey Turner, United States of Am. v. Kenneth Raven Beler, United States of Am. v. Anthony Lee Smith, 898 F.2d 705 (9th Cir. 1990).published “Violations of a defendant’s due process rights occur when a court relies on materially false or unreliable information in sentencing.” United States v. Columbus, 881 F.2d 785, 787 (9th Cir.1989); United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834…
- United States v. Paul Roberson, 896 F.2d 388 (9th Cir. 1990).published(relying on Ibarra, 737 F.2d at 827 (citing Farrow v. United States, 580 F.2d 1339, 1359 (9th Cir.1978) (en banc)))
- United States v. Patrick Arthur Castro, United States of Am. v. Herbert Thomas Cotter, 887 F.2d 988 (9th Cir. 1989).publishedUnited States v. Meyers, 847 F.2d 1408, 1416 (9th Cir.1988); United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. Dario Restrepo, 883 F.2d 781 (9th Cir. 1989).published United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. Paul Savas Columbus, 881 F.2d 785 (9th Cir. 1989).publishedSee, e.g., United States v. Monaco, 852 F.2d 1143, 1149 (9th Cir.1988), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 109 S.Ct. 864 , 102 L.Ed.2d 988 (1989); United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986); see also 18 U.S.C. § 3577 .
- United States v. Douglas R. Kerr, 876 F.2d 1440 (9th Cir. 1989).published United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- Fed. Trade Comm'n v. Am. Nat'l Cellular, & Michael G. Godfree, 868 F.2d 315 (9th Cir. 1989).publishedUnited States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. Heubel, Mario Vito, 864 F.2d 1104 (3d Cir. 1989).published(court cannot condition leniency upon a defendant’s refusal to admit to a crime not charged)
- United States v. Angel Fernandez-Angulo, 863 F.2d 1449 (9th Cir. 1988).publishedUnited States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. Yarbrough, 852 F.2d 1522 (9th Cir. 1988).publishedUnited States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. Yarbrough, 852 F.2d 1522 (9th Cir. 1988).publishedUnited States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- Scott A. Walker v. Roger Endell, Dir., of the Alaska Dep't of Corr., 850 F.2d 470 (9th Cir. 1988).publishedBrothers, 817 F.2d at 1390 . *477 The due process clause prohibits a trial judge from enhancing a sentence based on materially false or unreliable information, United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986), or based on a convic…
- United States v. Anthony Meyers, A/K/A Tony Meyers, 847 F.2d 1408 (9th Cir. 1988).publishedUnited States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. Frank Citro, 842 F.2d 1149 (9th Cir. 1988).publishedUnited States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. Frank Martinez, 837 F.2d 861 (9th Cir. 1988).publishedUnited States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- Dewey E. Coleman v. Henry Risley, Warden, Montana State Prison, & Michael T. Greely, Attorney Gen. for the State of Montana, 839 F.2d 434 (9th Cir. 1988).published United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986) (citing authorities).
- United States v. Joseph Orville Youpee, 836 F.2d 1181 (9th Cir. 1988).publishedUnited States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986).
- United States v. Steven Max Safirstein, 827 F.2d 1380 (1st Cir. 1987).published See United States v. Grayson, 438 U.S. 41, 50 , 98 S.Ct. 2610, 2615 , 57 L.Ed.2d 582 (1978) (quoting United States v. Tucker, 404 U.S. 443, 446 (1972)); United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 833 (9th Cir.1986).
- Scott A. Walker v. Roger Endell, Dir., of the Alaska Dep't of Corr., 828 F.2d 1378 (9th Cir. 1987).publishedThe due process clause prohibits a trial judge from enhancing a sentence based on materially false or unreliable information, United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 834 (9th Cir.1986), or based on a conviction infected by constitutional er…
- United States v. Priscilla Hull, 792 F.2d 941 (9th Cir. 1986).published
- United States v. Guy Robin Edwards, 800 F.2d 878 (9th Cir. 1986).published
- United States v. Adolf Meyer, 802 F.2d 348 (9th Cir. 1986).published
- United States v. Michael Paris, 812 F.2d 471 (9th Cir. 1987).published
- United States v. James Stanley Koenig, 813 F.2d 1044 (9th Cir. 1987).published
- United States v. Wilfried Van Cauwenberghe, 814 F.2d 1329 (9th Cir. 1987).published
- United States v. Robert Pablo Salas, 824 F.2d 751 (9th Cir. 1987).published
- United States v. Michael Paris, 827 F.2d 395 (9th Cir. 1987).published
- United States v. Wilfried Van Cauwenberghe, 827 F.2d 424 (9th Cir. 1987).published
- United States v. Randall Paul Evans, 962 F.2d 15 (9th Cir. 1992).unpublished
- United States v. Juan Carlos Romero, Jose Luis Bantula, Antonio Avana, Humberto Arias, 972 F.2d 1347 (9th Cir. 1992).unpublished
- United States v. Amelia Ibal Bernal, 12 F.3d 1108 (9th Cir. 1993).unpublished
- United States v. Scott Nepoleon Moore, 47 F.3d 1177 (9th Cir. 1995).unpublished
- Reginald Q. Coleman v. United States, 108 F.3d 337 (9th Cir. 1997).unpublished
- Bauer v. State, 1999 MT 185, 983 P.2d 955.published
- United States v. Reginald Coleman, 33 F.3d 60 (9th Cir. 1994).unpublished
At page 833 SKOPIL, Circuit Judge. Defendant-appellant Edward Messer, Jr. (“Messer”) appeals his maximum sentence he received after pleading guilty to income tax evasion.…1 citing case
- United States v. Steven Max Safirstein, 827 F.2d 1380 (1st Cir. 1987).published See United States v. Grayson, 438 U.S. 41, 50 , 98 S.Ct. 2610, 2615 , 57 L.Ed.2d 582 (1978) (quoting United States v. Tucker, 404 U.S. 443, 446 (1972)); United States v. Messer, 785 F.2d 832, 833 (9th Cir.1986).
v.
Edward O. MESSER, Jr., Defendant-Appellant
Defendant-appellant Edward Messer, Jr. (“Messer”) appeals his maximum sentence he received after pleading guilty to income tax evasion. Messer contends the district court, in sentencing him, improperly relied on (1) unsubstantiated information in the presentence report; and (2) Messer’s unwillingness to disclose the source of his income. We are unable to determine from the record what reliance, if any, the district court gave to the contested information. We remand for compliance with Fed.R. Crim.P. 32(c)(3)(D). Inasmuch as the district court may have improperly conditioned leniency on Messer’s refusal to incriminate himself for crimes not charged, we reverse and remand for resentencing.
FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS BELOW
Messer was charged with two counts of criminal conduct pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 371 (1982) (conspiracy to defraud the United States government) and 26 U.S.C. § 7201 (1982) (income tax evasion). A plea agreement was reached in which the government agreed to' drop the conspiracy charge in exchange for a guilty plea for tax evasion. The agreement additionally provided, inter alia, the taxable income and taxes owing were disputed and the figures would be settled between Messer and the Internal Revenue Service.
During the presentence investigation, Messer’s probation officer asked Messer to state the amount and source of his income. On advice of counsel Messer declined to answer based on his fifth amendment right not to be compelled to incriminate himself. The presentence report alleged Messer made several trips between Florida and Montana on a chartered jet and engaged in several transactions involving large amounts of cash. The report concluded Messer could not have earned, in the jobs he held, the hundreds of thousands of dollars alleged in the indictment as taxable income. Based on these facts and Messer’s silence as to the source of his income, the report opined Messer’s undisclosed income was obtained as a result of illegal drug trafficking.
At the time of sentencing, defendant, through his counsel, asserted inaccuracies in the presentence report by objecting to the drug-trafficking allegation and opposing the probation office's assessment of the tax deficiency. Counsel explained the amount of taxable income was still disputed and was to be resolved between Messer and the Internal Revenue Service. The court was informed that Messer’s unwillingness to disclose the source of his income was based on Messer’s assertion of his fifth amendment rights. The records fail to reveal any court findings on the alleged inaccuracy in the presentence report.
The court sentenced Messer to the maximum five-year sentence. At sentencing the court indicated it had the power to lessen the sentence but would not exercise that power “if the attitude presently prevailed, continues to prevail.”
After sentencing Messer’s counsel requested and was granted an opportunity to speak with the district judge in chambers. The following day the court indicated counsel had argued that in light of the plea agreement the court should not have considered the presentence report’s theories on the amounts and sources of Messer’s income. The court admitted it did consider the amounts in the report in assessing punishment.
A hearing was held. Messer moved the court to allow him to withdraw his guilty plea, or alternatively, to set aside the sentence and to resentence him. Messer’s counsel explained Messer had been advised by counsel to make no statement to the presentence investigator regarding the amount or source of his income. Counsel contended to the court that Messer was improperly punished for asserting his fifth amendment privilege against self-incrimination.
During the hearing Messer testified he refused on counsel's advice to discuss with the investigator the source or amount of money. He also understood his plea was expressly not an admission to the amounts[*834] alleged in the indictment. On cross-examination, Messer was asked to name the source of his income. He again asserted his fifth amendment privilege. Upon further questioning he stated he owned a construction business.
The court denied Messer’s motions without explanation.
DISCUSSION
Sentencing is left to the sound discretion of the court and its decision is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Chiago, 699 F.2d 1012, 1014 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 854, 104 S.Ct. 171, 78 L.Ed.2d 154 (1983). A sentence which falls within statutory limits is ordinarily not reviewable unless there exist constitutional concerns. United States v. Tucker, 404 U.S. 443, 447, 92 S.Ct. 589, 591, 30 L.Ed.2d 592 (1972); United States v. Lemon, 723 F.2d 922, 932 (D.C.Cir.1983). Messer contends his sentence was imposed in violation of his fifth amendment rights of due process and against self-incrimination.
A. Due Process.
At sentencing judges may consider a wide variety of information that could not be considered at trial. Williams v. New York, 337 U.S. 241, 251, 69 S.Ct. 1079, 1085, 93 L.Ed. 1337 (1949). But when a trial judge relies on materially false or unreliable information in sentencing, the defendant’s due process rights are violated. United States v. Ruster, 712 F.2d 409, 412 (9th Cir.1983). A defendant challenging information used in sentencing must show such information is (1) false or unreliable, and (2) demonstrably made the basis for the sentence. United States v. Ibarra, 737 F.2d 825, 827 (9th Cir.1984) (citing Farrow v. United States, 580 F.2d 1339, 1359 (9th Cir.1978) (en banc)).
We have held Fed.R.Crim.P. 32(c)(3)(D) helps implement this due process standard. Ibarra, 737 F.2d at 827. The Rule requires that when a defendant challenges information in a presentence report, the district, court must make findings concerning the challenged information or state that no such findings are necessary because the court will not rely on the disputed information in sentencing. See United States v. Stewart, 770 F.2d 825, 832 (9th Cir.1985), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 106 S.Ct. 888, 88 L.Ed.2d 922 (1986). Because of the trial court’s failure to comply with the rule, it is impossible to determine whether the court relied upon the failure to reveal the defendant’s income or the income source or both in imposing the maximum sentence. The court’s failure to comply with the rule requires remand for resentencing. Id.; United States v. Petitto, 767 F.2d 607, 611 (9th Cir.1985).
B. Self-Incrimination.
Messer argues he was punished for asserting his fifth amendment right against self-incrimination. We conclude a court cannot condition leniency upon a defendant’s refusal to admit to a crime not charged. In Jones v. Cardwell, 686 F.2d 754, 755 (9th Cir.1982), a sentencing judge relied on a defendant’s confession during a presentence interview of additional criminal activity. We held that a sentencing judge’s broad discretion to consider information in imposing sentence does not extend to consideration of information obtained in violation of a defendant’s privilege against self-incrimination. Id. at 756. See also United States v. Pierce, 561 F.2d 735, 738 (9th Cir.1977) (voluntary guilty plea does not waive the right against self-incrimination for all prior activities of the defendant), cert. denied, 435 U.S. 923, 98 S.Ct. 1486, 55 L.Ed.2d 516 (1978). In United States v. Garcia, 544 F.2d 681, 685 (3d Cir.1976), the sentencing court conditioned leniency on a convicted drug possessor’s willingness to name his source. The court of appeals vacated the sentence, holding that a sentencing court may not force a defendant to waive fifth amendment protection as the price for leniency in sentencing. Id. See also United States v. Moody, 649 F.2d 124, 128 (2d Cir.1981) (court cannot by sentencing attempt to force the waiver of defendant’s fifth amendment rights).
[*835] CONCLUSION
We are unable to determine from the record whether the district court improperly relied on disputed information in the presentence report. We remand for compliance with Rule 32. Inasmuch as the court may have based its sentence on Messer’s refusal to admit to drug dealing, the sentence is vacated and the matter is remanded for resentencing.
REVERSED AND REMANDED.