Federal Judiciary

United States v. Morales, No. 09-CR-617-03 (JBW), 2010 WL 3781017 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 21, 2010)

Morales pled guilty to conspiring to import cocaine into the United States, for which he faced an advisory Guidelines range of imprisonment of between 37 and 46 months (inclusive of a four-point minimal role adjustment and a three-point acceptance of responsibilty adjustment).  The court sentenced him to five years probation.  Why?

The offense is a serious one.  Defendant appears to be contrite and has demonstrated that she understands the seriousness of the crime.  Defendant comes from a stable matriarchal family and has support from her extended family.  She has educated herself despite coming from deprived circumstances.  She was raised without a breadwinner in the family except for her mother, who was able to do only menial work because of her limited education.  Defendant has demonstrated her ability to hold down a job and had formerly been a productive member of society.