United States v. Julius Stevens
Opinion
Julius Stevens appeals the denial of his pro se Rule 36 motion to correct his pre-sentence investigation report (PSI). Stevens argues that because a prior conviction for “Possession of Cannabis” listed in the criminal history section of his PSI was classified as a felony rather than a misdemeanor, he was incorrectly considered a career offender by the district court when it originally sentenced him.
We review legal issues presented in a Rule 36 motion to correct a judgment de novo. United States v. Portillo, 363 F.3d 1161, 1164 (11th Cir. 2004). Rule 36 allows a court to correct at any time “a clerical error in a judgment, order, or other part of the record, or correct an error in the record arising from oversight or omission.” Fed.R.Crim.P. 36. Rule 36 does not allow for a substantive correction or alteration to a criminal sentence. Portillo, 363 F.3d at 1164.
The district court correctly denied the Rule 36 motion. Even assuming the district court originally considered the “Possession of Cannabis” charge to be a felony, such a correction would not be clerical in nature. Rather, such a correction would result in a substantive alteration to a criminal sentence, particularly if it would change Stevens’ career offender status. Accordingly, Rule 36 was not the correct basis for Stevens’ requested relief, and we affirm.
AFFIRMED.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Julius STEVENS, A.K.A. Judog, Defendant-Appellant
- Status
- Unpublished