United States v. Thompson

SENTENCING MEMORANDUM

GERTNER, District Judge.

The Sentencing Guidelines permit a departure from the proscribed sentencing range when the Court finds “extraordinary” family obligations or an “extraordinary” employment record. The question raised by this case is what these concepts mean. What is the standard by which to judge “extraordinary” family obligations or an “extraordinary” work history? What class of defendants define “ordinary”? While the Sentencing Commission and the case law offer little guidance on the subject, one thing is clear: The baseline is not, nor should it be, “Ozzie and…