United States v. Vizcarra
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM
We affirm the district court’s denial of defendants’ separate requests for continuances, the striking of Jack Perkett’s testimony, and the increase in Roberto Vizcarra’s sentence under 21 U.S.C. § 851. We remand so that the district court may determine whether to resentence the defendants under this court’s en banc decision in United States v. Ameline.
1. Defendants’ Requests for Continuances
The district court did not abuse its discretion by denying defendants’ eve-of-trial requests for continuances. Although the court did not make a detailed summary of reasons for its denial, the record reflects that over the life of the case the district court exercised care and patience with respect to the defendants’ rights.
The government’s Jencks Act material that Roberto Vizcarra wanted to investigate was tangential to the question of his guilt.
Jaime Vizcarra has not shown that he was entitled to a continuance in order to obtain new counsel. Jaime’s request, made on the eve of trial, was not timely, the court’s inquiry into Jaime’s request was adequate, and Jaime’s counsel attested that there was no conflict with his client and that he was ready for trial.
II. Striking of Jack Perkett’s Testimony
Neither defendant objected to the district court’s striking of Jack Perkett’s testimony. There was no plain error in striking Perkett’s testimony, particularly in light of the defense motion for mistrial on the ground that Perkett’s testimony was prejudicial. Perkett did not assert his privilege against self-incrimination or any other privilege in refusing to answer questions, and his testimony was not on a collateral matter.
III. Roberto’s Increased Sentence Under 21 U.S.C. § 851.
The district court did not commit plain error by not arraigning Roberto on the information charging the prior conviction for a drug offense under 21 U.S.C. § 851. Roberto had fair notice from the information and the presentence reports, and an opportunity to object and be heard, so there could be no prejudice from the absence of an arraignment. Because the information was filed more than five years after Roberto’s 1992 state conviction became final, there could be no plain error in treating Roberto as barred from challenging the validity of the prior conviction.
The district court also did not plainly err by sentencing Roberto under § 851 without a finding by the jury that he had a prior drug-related conviction. Almendarez-Torres v. United States establishes that no such finding is needed.
IV. Sentencing
We remand the sentences imposed in these cases to the district court, without vacating the sentences, to follow the procedure established in the en banc decision of
AFFIRMED IN PART, and REMANDED.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.
. United States v. Ameline, 409 F.3d 1073 (9th Cir. 2005) (en banc).
. See United States v. Garrett, 179 F.3d 1143, 1147 (9th Cir. 1999) (en banc).
. See United States v. Fowlie, 24 F.3d 1059, 1070 (9th Cir. 1994).
. See Garrett, 179 F.3d at 1144-45.
. See United States v. McKenna, 327 F.3d 830, 843 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 540 U.S. 941, 124 S.Ct. 359, 157 L.Ed.2d 254 (2003).
. See Morris v. Slappy, 461 U.S. 1, 12-14, 103 S.Ct. 1610, 75 L.Ed.2d 610 (1983); United States v. Schaff, 948 F.2d 501, 505 (9th Cir. 1991).
. See United States v. Montgomery, 998 F.2d 1468, 1478-79 (9th Cir. 1993); United States v. Lord, 711 F.2d 887, 892 (9th Cir. 1983).
. See United States v. Negrete-Gonzales, 966 F.2d 1277, 1280-81 (9th Cir. 1992).
. See 21 U.S.C. § 851(e).
. See Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 244, 118 S.Ct. 1219, 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998); see also United States v. Gutierrez-Cervantez, 132 F.3d 460, 462 (9th Cir. 1997).
. United. States v. Ameline, 409 F.3d 1073 (9th Cir. 2005) (en banc).
. United States v. Booker, — U.S. — , 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff—Appellee v. Roberto Rios VIZCARRA, Defendant—Appellant United States of America, Plaintiff—Appellee v. Jaime Rios VIZCARRA, Defendant—Appellant
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published