United States v. James Brown

Opinion for the Court filed by Senior Circuit Judge EDWARDS.

Dissenting opinion filed by Senior Circuit Judge SENTELLE.

EDWARDS, Senior Circuit Judgé:

The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, governing imposition of criminal sentences in federal courts, 18 U.S.C. § 3551 et seq., imposes certain “indispensable” procedural obligations on sentencing judges. In re Sealed Case, 527 F.3d 188, 191 (D.C.Cir.2008). Among these obligations are the requirements of 18 U.S.C. § 3553(c), which prescribe how trial judges must explain their sentencing decisions. See id.

The nature and degree of explanation required by…