United States v. Medina-Hernandez
United States v. Medina-Hernandez
Opinion of the Court
ORDER AND MEMORANDUM
After oral argument in this appeal, we withdrew this case from submission and ordered supplemental briefing to address the effect on this case of our recent decision in United States v. Ruiz, 241 F.3d 1157 (9th Cir. 2001). That briefing has been completed, and this case is ordered resubmitted for decision contemporaneously with the filing of this memorandum.
Ruiz controls this case, and requires that we vacate the sentence of Medina-Hernandez and remand for further proceedings.
We conclude that Ruiz controls the merits of this appeal. Ruiz establishes that the condition was unconstitutional. See Ruiz, 241 F.3d at 1163-67.
The government contends that Medina-Hernandez, unlike Ruiz, was not otherwise eligible for the “fast-track” downward departure, but the record indicates that the district court based its ruling on Medina-Hernandez’s refusal to accept the condition of the plea agreement. The district court stated that the condition “was not an improper nor unethical nor unconstitutional paragraph for the government to insert in its tendered plea agreement and, therefore, [the court] declines to depart downward on the basis of 5K2 for that reason.” (Emphasis added). On this record, Medina-Hernandez is entitled to a hearing and to the district court’s consideration of relief for the prosecution’s unconstitutional action. See id. at 1169.
SENTENCE VACATED; REMANDED.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as may be provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.
. Medina-Hernandez has completed service of his fifteen-month sentence of imprisonment, but remains subject to a three-year period of supervised release.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff—Appellee v. Alejandro MEDINA-HERNANDEZ, Defendant—Appellant
- Status
- Published