koon argued february decided june petitioners los angeles police officers acquitted state charges assault excessive use force beating suspect arrest convicted section violating victim constitutional rights color law although applicable sentencing guideline ussg section indicated imprisoned months district granted two downward departures range first based victim misconduct contributed significantly provoking offense second based combination four factors petitioners unusually susceptible abuse prison petitioners lose jobs precluded employment law enforcement petitioners subject successive state federal prosecutions petitioners posed low risk recidivism sentencing range departures months sentenced petitioner months ninth circuit reviewed departure decisions de novo rejected held appellate review de novo decision depart guideline sentencing range instead ask whether sentencing abused discretion pp although sentencing reform act requires district impose sentence within applicable guideline range ordinary case section eliminate district traditional sentencing discretion rather allows departure range finds exists aggravating mitigating circumstance kind degree adequately taken consideration sentencing commission formulating guidelines section commission formulated guideline apply heartland typical cases adequately conside atypical cases ussg ch pt intro comment commission prohibits consideration factors provides guidance factors likely make case atypical delineating certain encouraged bases departure others discouraged bases departure courts may depart basis encouraged factor applicable guideline already take factor account may depart basis discouraged factor encouraged factor already taken account however factor present exceptional degree way makes case different ordinary case guidelines mention factor must considering structure theory relevant individual guidelines guidelines whole decide whether factor sufficiently unusual take case guideline heartland bearing mind commission expectation departures based factors mentioned guidelines highly infrequent pp although section established limited appellate review sentencing decisions section direction give due deference district application guidelines facts demonstrates act intended vest appellate courts authority district sentencing decisions see williams deference due depends nature question presented departure decision cases due substantial deference embodies sentencing traditional exercise discretion see mistretta determine departure appropriate district must make refined assessment many facts bear outcome informed vantage point sentencing experience whether given factor present degree adequately considered commission whether discouraged factor nonetheless justifies departure present unusual exceptional way matters determined large part comparison facts guidelines cases district courts institutional advantage appellate courts making sorts determinations especially given see many guidelines cases considerations require adoption standard review de novo review see cooter gell hartmarx pp appeals erred rejecting certain downward departure factors relied upon district judge foregoing principles require reversal appellate rulings significant part pp victim misconduct encouraged basis departure ussg section district abuse discretion basing departure analysis departure factor showed correct understanding applying section guideline applicable section mechanical matter interpreting heartland recognized section incorporates guideline offense underlying section violation section aggravated assault thus creates guideline range heartland aggravated assault committed color law downward departure section justified punishment prescribed section contemplates unprovoked assaults cases like begins legitimate force response provocation becomes excessive appeals misinterpreted district found victim cause crime provoked also misinterpreted heartland applicable guideline range concentrating whether victim misconduct made unusual case excessive force pp rejects government contention four considerations underlying district second downward departure impermissible departure factors circumstances conclude factor must never considered usurp authority congress vested commission section compel result examination whether factor ever appropriate basis departure limited determining whether commission proscribed categorical matter factor consideration answer sentencing must determine whether factor occurring particular circumstances takes case outside applicable guideline heartland pp collateral employment consequences support second departure expected public official convicted using governmental authority violate person rights lose job barred similar employment future must concluded commission adequately considered consequences formulating ussg section thus career loss factor exists case take case section heartland pp low likelihood petitioners recidivism also inappropriate ground departure since commission specifically addressed factor formulating sentencing range petitioners criminal history category see section pp however district abuse discretion relying upon susceptibility abuse prison burdens successive prosecutions district finding case unusual due petitioners exceptional susceptibility abuse prison sort determination must accorded deference appeal moreover although consideration petitioners successive prosecutions incongruous dual responsibilities citizenship federal system conclude district abused discretion considering factor pp reviewing concludes district based departure valid invalid factors remand required unless reviewing determines district imposed sentence absent reliance invalid factors williams supra district stated none four factors standing alone justify second departure evident imposed sentence relied susceptibility abuse hardship successive prosecutions appeals therefore remand case district pp affirmed part reversed part remanded kennedy delivered opinion rehnquist scalia thomas joined part stevens joined part souter ginsburg breyer joined stevens filed opinion concurring part dissenting part souter filed opinion concurring part dissenting part ginsburg joined breyer filed opinion concurring part dissenting part ginsburg joined notice opinion subject formal revision publication preliminary print reports readers requested notify reporter decisions washington typographical formal errors order corrections may made preliminary print goes press end syllabus nos stacey koon petitioner laurence powell petitioner writs certiorari appeals ninth circuit june justice kennedy delivered opinion sentencing guidelines establish ranges criminal sentences federal offenses offenders district must impose sentence within applicable guideline range finds case typical one see section district courts may depart guideline range certain circumstances however see district departed downward eight levels appeals ninth circuit rejected district departure rulings published objection nine judges declined rehear case en banc case explore appropriate standards appellate review district decision depart guidelines evening march rodney king two friends sat king wife car altadena california city los angeles county drank malt liquor number hours king driving left altadena via major freeway king intoxicated california highway patrol officers observed king car traveling speed estimated excess officers followed king red lights sirens activated ordered loudspeaker pull continued drive highway patrol officers called radio help units los angeles police department joined pursuit one manned petitioner laurence powell trainee timothy wind king left freeway chase eight miles stopped entrance recreation area officers ordered king two passengers exit car assume felony prone lie stomachs legs spread arms behind backs king two friends complied king got car lie petitioner stacey koon arrived followed ted briseno roland solano officers los angeles police department sergeant koon took charge officers ordered king assume felony prone position king got hands knees lie officers powell wind briseno solano tried force king king resisted became combative officers retreated koon fired taser darts designed stun combative suspect king events occurred next captured videotape bystander videotape begins shows king rose ground charged toward officer powell powell took step used baton strike king side head king fell ground second videotape king attempted rise powell wind struck batons prevent second powell administered repeated blows king lower extremities one blows fractured king leg second powell struck king chest king rolled lay prone point officers stepped back observed king seconds powell began reach handcuffs sentencing phase district found powell longer perceived king threat point videotape briseno district words stomped king upper back neck king body writhed response powell wind began strike king series baton blows wind kicked upper thoracic cervical area six times king put hands behind back handcuffed baton blows fell intentions king officers various points contested trial noted petitioners guilt established powell radioed ambulance sent two messages communications network officers said ooops havent sic beaten anyone bad long time koon sent message police station said nit big time use force tased beat suspect chp pursuit big time king taken hospital treated fractured leg multiple facial fractures numerous bruises contusions learning king worked dodger stadium powell said king played little ball tonight rodney know played little ball played little hardball tonight hit quite home runs yes played little ball lost ibid august federal grand jury indicted four officers section charging violating king constitutional rights color oflaw powell briseno wind charged willful use unreasonable force arresting king koon charged willfully permitting officers use unreasonable force arrest trial district central district california jury convicted koon powell acquitted wind briseno consider district sentencing determinations sentencing guidelines district identifies base offense level assigned crime question adjusts level guidelines instruct determines defendant criminal history category ussg section coordinating adjusted offense level criminal history category yields appropriate sentencing range ibid district sentenced petitioners pursuant section sentencing commission guidelines manual ussg applies violations section section prescribes base offense level greater following plus offense level applicable underlying offense district found underlying offense aggravated assault carries base offense level ussg section added total increased offense level four petitioners used dangerous weapons section government asked also add four levels king serious bodily injury pursuant section found however king serious injuries sustained officers using lawful force trial government contended blows administered king fell ground seconds videotape violated section district found many blows may tortious criminal violations commence videotape briseno stomped king add two levels bodily injury pursuant section adjusted offense level totaled neither petitioner criminal record fell within criminal history category sentencing range offense level criminal history category guidelines months imprisonment rather sentencing petitioners term within guideline range however district departed downward eight levels departure determinations subject controversy granted departure victim wrongful conduct contributed significantly provoking offense behavior section policy statement supp cd cal also granted departure based combination four factors first result widespread publicity emotional outrage surrounded case petitioners particularly likely targets abuse prison second petitioners face proceedings lose positions police officers disqualified prospective employment field law enforcement suffer anguish disgrace deprivations entail third petitioners significantly burden ed subjected successive state federal prosecutions fourth petitioners violent dangerous likely engage future criminal conduct reason impose sentence reflects need protect public ibid concluded factors justified departure taken together although none sufficient standing alone departures yielded offense level sentencing range months imprisonment sentenced petitioner months imprisonment petitioners appealed convictions government appealed sentences arguing district erred granting downward departures failing adjust offense level upward serious bodily injury appeals affirmed petitioners convictions affirmed district refusal adjust offense level reversed district departure determinations last ruling us appeals reviewed de novo whether district authority depart reversed departure victim misconduct reasoning misbehavior suspects typical cases involving excessive use force police thus comprehended applicable guideline departure rejected factor cited acknowledging departure susceptibility abuse prison may appropriate instances police officers group susceptible prison abuse nevertheless said factor justify departure reliance solely hostility toward group defendant member provides unlimited rationale departing noted unlike cases defendant vulnerable prison abuse due physical characteristics control petitioners vulnerability stemmed public condemnation crimes petitioners collateral employment consequences first held consideration factor trial inconsistent sentencing goals section factor speak offender character nature seriousness offense legitimate sentencing concern noted societal consequences criminal conviction almost unlimited reliance create system sentencing boundless moral social psychological examinations required courts make third noted ease using factor justify departures based defendant status consideration ussg section never permitted basis departure final point appeals said factor troubling petitioners police officers held positions trust abused section guidelines increases rather decreases punishment abuse positions trust appeals next found successive state federal prosecutions downward departure factor deemed factor irrelevant sentencing goals section contradictory attorney general determination compelling federal interests warranted second prosecution rejected last departure factor well ruling low risk recidivism comprehended criminal history category double counted granted certiorari determine standard review governing appeals district decision depart sentencing ranges guidelines appellate review departure decision de novo instead ask whether sentencing abused discretion invoked wrong standard appeals erred rejecting certain downward departure factors relied upon district judge ii act eliminate district discretion however acknowledging wisdom even necessity sentencing procedures take account individual circumstances see section congress allows district courts depart applicable guideline range finds exists aggravating mitigating circumstance kind degree adequately taken consideration sentencing commission formulating guidelines result sentence different described section determine whether circumstance adequately taken consideration commission congress instructed courts consider sentencing guidelines policy statements official commentary sentencing commission ibid turning attention instructed guidelines manual learn commission adequately take account cases one reason another unusual ussg ch pt intro comment introduction guidelines explains commission intends sentencing courts treat guideline carving heartland set typical cases embodying conduct guideline describes finds atypical case one particular guideline linguistically applies conduct significantly differs norm may consider whether departure warranted ibid first difficult prescribe single set guidelines encompasses vast range human conduct potentially relevant sentencing decision commission also recognizes initial set guidelines need commission permanent body empowered law write rewrite guidelines progressive changes many years monitoring courts depart guidelines analyzing stated reasons decisions references thereto commission time able refine guidelines specify precisely departures permitted second commission believes despite courts legal freedom depart guidelines often guidelines offense offense seek take account factors commission data indicate made significant difference sentencing practice ibid sentencing courts left adrift however commission provides considerable guidance factors apt apt make case atypical listing certain factors either encouraged discouraged bases departure encouraged factors commission able take account fully formulating guidelines section victim provocation factor relied upon district case example encouraged downward departure factor section whereas disruption governmental function example encouraged upward departure factor section even encouraged factor always appropriate basis departure occasions applicable guideline taken encouraged factor account instance departure disruption governmental function ordinarily justified offense conviction offense bribery obstruction justice cases interference government function inherent offense ibid still may depart basis factor present degree substantially excess ordinarily involved offense section discouraged factors contrast ordinarily relevant determination whether sentence outside applicable guideline range ussg ch pt intro comment examples include defendant family ties responsibilities ussg section education vocational skills section military civic charitable public service record section commission view discouraged factors necessarily inappropriate bases departure says relied upon exceptional cases ussg ch pt intro comment commission treatment departure factors led judge breyer explain sentencing considering departure ask following questions features case potentially take outside guidelines heartland make special unusual case commission forbidden departures based features commission encouraged departures based features commission discouraged departures based features agree summary special factor forbidden factor sentencing use basis departure special factor encouraged factor authorized depart applicable guideline already take account special factor discouraged factor encouraged factor already taken account applicable guideline depart factor present exceptional degree way makes case different ordinary case factor present cf ibid factor unmentioned guidelines must considering structure theory relevant individual guidelines guidelines taken whole decide whether sufficient take case guideline heartland must bear mind commission expectation departures based grounds mentioned guidelines highly infrequent ussg ch pt background consider standard review iii much clear less clear standard review appeal government advocates de novo review saying like guidelines appellate review sentencing particular departure decisions intended reduce unjustified disparities sentencing view de novo review departure decisions necessary protect unwarranted disparities arising differing sentencing approaches individual district judges brief agree congress concerned sentencing disparities convinced congress intend establishing limited appellate review vest appellate courts authority district sentencing decisions indeed text section manifests intent district courts retain much traditional sentencing discretion section enacted provided appeals shall give due regard opportunity district judge credibility witnesses shall accept findings fact district unless clearly erroneous congress amended statute impose additional requirement courts appeals give due deference district application guidelines facts examining section williams stated follows although act established limited appellate review sentencing decisions alter appeals traditional deference district exercise sentencing discretion development guideline sentencing regime changed view except extent specifically directed statute role appellate substitute judgment sentencing appropriateness particular sentence quoting solem helm district retains much traditional discretion mean appellate review empty exercise congress directed courts appeals give due deference district application guidelines facts section deference due depends nature question presented district may owed deference instance claim appeal made sort mathematical error applying guidelines circumstances appellate good position consider question district first instance district decision depart guidelines contrast cases due substantial deference embodies traditional exercise discretion sentencing see mistretta noting although act makes guidelines binding sentencing courts preserves judge discretion depart guideline applicable particular case departure permitted certain aspects case must found unusual enough fall outside heartland cases guideline resolve question district must make refined assessment many facts bearing outcome informed vantage point experience criminal sentencing whether given factor present degree adequately considered commission whether discouraged factor nonetheless justifies departure present unusual exceptional way matters determined large part comparison facts guidelines cases district courts institutional advantage appellate courts making sorts determinations especially see many guidelines cases appellate courts example guidelines cases appealed letter pamela montgomery deputy general counsel sentencing commission mar ignore district special ordinariness unusualness particular risk depriving sentencing commission important source information namely reactions trial judge circumstances case rivera considerations like persuaded us adopt standard cooter gell hartmarx involved review district imposition rule sanctions pierce underwood involved review district determination equal access justice act section position substantially justified thereby precluding award attorneys fees government noted deference owed judicial actor better positioned another decide issue question pierce supra quoting miller fenton cooter gell supra furthermore adopted deferential review afford district necessary flexibility resolve questions involving multifarious fleeting special narrow facts utterly resist generalization quoting pierce supra like questions involved cases district departure decision involves consideration unique factors little susceptible useful generalization consequence de novo review unlikely establish clear guidelines lower courts government seeks avoid factual nature departure inquiry describing higher level generality linked closely questions law relevant question however government says whether particular factor within heartland general proposition brief whether particular factor within heartland given facts case example advance analysis much determine victim misconduct might justify departure aggravated assault cases district must determine whether misconduct occurred particular instance suffices make case atypical answer apt vary depending instance severity misconduct timing disruption causes considerations factual matters mean district courts confront questions law deciding whether depart present case example government argues district relied factors may considered case government quite correct whether factor permissible basis departure circumstances question law appeals need defer district resolution point little turns however whether label review particular question abuse discretion de novo abuse discretion standard mean mistake law beyond appellate correction cooter gell supra district definition abuses discretion makes error law departure decision occasional case may call legal determination mean consequence parts review must labeled de novo parts labeled abuse discretion see appeals apply unitary standard abuse discretion standard includes review determine discretion guided erroneous legal conclusions iv guidelines prescribe punishment single discrete statutory offense similar statutory offenses rather predictable fact patterns petitioners convicted violating section however statute unusual application many varied circumstances prohibits among things subjecting person color law deprivation rights privileges immunities secured protected constitution laws violation section arise myriad forms guideline applicable statute applies violation section regardless form takes ussg section section takes account different kinds conduct might constitute section violation instructing courts use base offense level greater plus offense level applicable underlying offense way section incorporates base offense level underlying offense consequence heartland section vary depending defendant conduct underlying offense aggravated assault adjusting offense level use dangerous weapon bodily injury see ussg section guideline incorporates another guideline incorporates well specific offense characteristics district added six levels required section section adds six levels account fact offense committed actual purported legal authority commentary section harm involved underlying conduct activity intended deprive person civil rights ibid incorporating introductory commentary section district analysis departure factor showed correct understanding applying section mechanical matter interpreting heartland summarizing king driving intoxicated fleeing police refusing obey officers commands attempting escape police custody district concluded downward departure pursuant section justified king provocative behavior eventually subsided recognizes time defendants conduct crossed line unlawfulness king longer resisting arrest posed objective threat defendants reasonable perception danger nevertheless incident escalated point indeed occurred king initial misconduct koon powell convicted conduct began legal use force resistant suspect subsequently crossed line unlawfulness matter seconds course dynamic arrest situation however convicted offenses fall guideline sections apply jailor correctional officer police officer state agent intentionally used dangerous weapon assault inmate without legitimate cause initiate use force two situations clearly different police officers always armed dangerous weapons may legitimately employ weapons administer reasonable force officer initial use force provoked lawful line legal arrest unlawful deprivation civil rights within aggravated assault guideline relatively thin stringent aggravated assault guideline along upward adjustments use deadly weapon bodily injury contemplates range offenses involving deliberate unprovoked assaultive conduct guidelines adequately account differences heartland offenses case hand ibid calculus reasonableness must embody allowance fact police officers often forced make circumstances tense uncertain rapidly evolving amount force necessary particular situation ibid quoting graham connor misinterpreted district opinion heartland applicable guideline range district observation incident occurred king misconduct alter ruling king provoked petitioners illegal use force outset analysis district stated finds considers mitigating circumstance king wrongful conduct contributed significantly provoking offense behavior later discussed king wrongdoing substantial role played bringing defendants unlawful conduct indeed finding king misconduct provoked lawful force unlawful force followed without interruption startling interpretation contrary ordinary understandings provocation response need immediately follow action order provoked commission recognized noted although victim misconduct rarely basis departure nonviolent offense extended course provocation harassment might lead defendant steal destroy property retaliation ussg section furthermore even immediate response required section occurred excessive force followed within seconds king misconduct appeals misinterpreted heartland section concentrating whether king misconduct made unusual case excessive force section covered punishment excessive force cases might well close question whether victim misconduct kind sufficient take case heartland section designed however incorporates guideline underlying offense section aggravated assault thus creates guideline range heartland aggravated assault committed color law district correct point guideline range applies government official assaults citizen without provocation well instances like begins legitimate force becomes excessive district abuse discretion differentiating classes cases concluding unprovoked assaults constitute relevant heartland victim misconduct encouraged ground departure district without question discretion conclude victim misconduct take aggravated assault case outside heartland section petitioners aggravated assaults committed color law change analysis appeals thought section explicitly enhances sentences official misconduct beyond civilian misconduct statement non sequitur section imposes increase regardless whether government official aggravated assault provoked unprovoked aggravated assault committed color law always punished severely ordinary aggravated assault district compare civilian offenders official offenders compared official offenders provoked official offenders correct inquiry punishment prescribed section contemplates unprovoked assaults consequence district abuse discretion departing downward king misconduct provoking wrong arguments however persuasive matter sentencing policy directed commission congress grant federal courts authority decide sorts sentencing considerations inappropriate every circumstance rather section instructs determining whether exists aggravating mitigating circumstance kind degree adequately considered commission consider sentencing guidelines policy statements official commentary sentencing commission guidelines however place essentially limit number potential factors may warrant departure burns commission set forth factors courts may consider circumstances made clear intend limit kinds factors whether mentioned anywhere else guidelines constitute grounds departure unusual case ussg ch pt intro comment thus courts conclude factor must considered circumstances transgress policymaking authority vested commission example helpful lara appeals second circuit upheld district downward departure based defendant potential victimization prison due diminutive size immature appearance bisexual orientation appeared response lara commission amended ussg section make hysicial appearance including physique discouraged factor ussg app amend effective commission see fit however prohibit consideration physical appearance cases address broader category susceptibility abuse prison urging us hold susceptibility abuse prison impermissible factor cases government us reject commission considered judgment favor government acknowledges much says position required section statute provides determining particular sentence imposed shall need sentence reflect seriousness offense promote respect law provide punishment offense afford adequate deterrence criminal conduct provide defendant needed educational vocational training medical care correctional treatment effective manner even text statute ambiguous reject government interpretation government section directs courts decide reference broad goals provision whether given factor ever appropriate sentencing considerationwould impose widespread judicial control sentencing policy turn nullify commission treatment particular departure factors determination exceptions departure factors ruled categorical basis sparse text section support implausible result congress created commission establish sentencing policies practices federal criminal justice system section congress instructed commission courts review revise guidelines periodically section result commission assumed role time refine guidelines specify precisely departures permitted ussg ch pt intro comment congress intended courts supervise commission treatment departure factors expect said clear way assume role conclude federal examination whether factor ever appropriate basis departure limited determining whether commission proscribed categorical matter consideration factor answer question sentencing must determine whether factor occurring particular circumstances takes case outside heartland applicable guideline turn four factors underlying district departure defendants koon powell subjected multiplicity adversarial proceedings lapd board rights charge koon powell felony conviction proceeding strip positions tenure koon powell disqualified lawenforcement careers combination additional proceedings loss employment tenure prospective disqualification field law enforcement anguish disgrace deprivations entail constitute substantial punishment addition sentence short koon powell police officers certain unique burdens flow convictions footnotes omitted nonetheless conclude district abused discretion considering petitioners career loss factor exists circumstances take case heartland ussg section noted section offenses may take variety forms must involve willful violations rights color law although cognizant deference owed district must conclude unusual public official convicted using governmental authority violate person rights lose job barred future work field indeed many public employees subject termination prevented obtaining future government employment following conviction serious crime whether crime relates employment see cal govt code ann section west conviction felony conviction misdemeanor involving moral turpitude constitutes cause dismissal section state personnel board may refuse declare eligible state employment one convicted felony convicted misdemeanor involving moral turpitude rev stat ann michie code section public officials convicted violating section done engage serious criminal conduct done color law sworn uphold expected government official subject consequences petitioners faced violating section conclude consequences adequately considered commission formulating section however provision symmetrical lower limit range criminal history category set first offender lowest risk recidivism therefore departure lower limit guideline range criminal history category basis adequacy criminal history appropriate ussg section petitioners successive prosecutions true consideration factor incongruous dual responsibilities citizenship federal system instances successive state federal prosecutions violate double jeopardy clause heath alabama nonetheless district abuse discretion determining federal conviction following state acquittal based underlying conduct significantly burden ed defendants state trial lengthy toll took beyond cognizance district appeals identified wrong standard review erred well finding victim misconduct justify departure susceptibility prison abuse burdens successive prosecutions relied upon departure sentencing determinations well within sound discretion district district abuse discretion relying two factors forming departure career loss low recidivism risk reviewing concludes district based departure valid invalid factors remand required unless determines district imposed sentence absent reliance invalid factors williams district stated none four factors standing alone justify departure evident imposed sentence relied susceptibility abuse prison hardship successive prosecutions appeals therefore remand case district judgment appeals affirmed part reversed part case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered justice stevens concurring part dissenting part opinion district abuse discretion relied unusual collateral employment consequences faced petitioners result convictions therefore except part otherwise complete endorsement opinion also note understand opinion foreclose district basing downward departure aggregation factors might insufficient justify departure justice souter justice ginsburg joins concurring part dissenting part agree way today opinion describes district tasks sentencing guidelines role appeals reviewing sentences part company applying standard two specific points affirm appeals rejection downward departures based susceptibility abuse prison successive prosecution otherwise attribute element irrationality commission heartland concept accordingly join opinion except part majority notes ante congress grant federal courts authority decide sorts sentencing considerations inappropriate every circumstance fact congress allowed district courts depart guidelines finds exists aggravating mitigating circumstance kind degree adequately taken consideration sentencing commission formulating guidelines result sentence different described section see also ante discussing departures commission quotes language section stating hen finds atypical case may consider whether departure warranted sentencing guidelines manual ch pt intro comment ussg thus congress commission envisioned departures require unusual factual circumstance justified factual difference result different sentence departures words must consistent rational normative order consideration susceptibility abuse prison district departed downward believed widespread publicity emotional outrage surrounded case outset addition petitioners status police officers lead find koon powell particularly likely targets abuse incarceration supp cd cal district concluded petitioners subject abuse simply former police officers large part degree publicity condemnation surrounding crime reasoning overlooks fact publicity stemmed remarkable brutality petitioners proven behavior misfortune precisely documented film allow departure basis reason effect serious crime widespread consequent publicity condemnation less one punished egregious act less culpable offender terminology guidelines reasoning take heartland domain less deplorable acts might come within statute moral irrationality attributed heartland scheme however rewarding relatively severe offender hardly contemplation commission discouraged downward departures susceptibility prison abuse even nonculpable reason unusual hysical appearance including physique ussg section see also ante ussg ch pt intro comment discussing principle deserts commission describes concept punishment scaled offender culpability resulting harms appeals appreciated significance requisite moral calculus wrote ny public outrage direct result petitioners criminal acts incongruous inappropriate reduce petitioners sentences specifically individuals society condemned acts criminal abuse trust society placed appeals affirmed point believe also abuse discretion district depart downward successive prosecutions cases facial showings state system malfunctioned petitioners acquitted case one charge received verdict without something one accept district conclusion demonstration clear miscarriage justice caused result state trial simply federal prosecutors proving cases proved conduct constituting crimes petitioners prosecuted unsuccessfully state see powell superior cal app cal rptr noting petitioners charged inter alia assault force likely produce great bodily injury cal penal code ann section officer unnecessarily assaulting beating person violation section cal pen code section every public officer color authority without lawful necessity assaults beats person commits offense cal pen code section every person commits assault upon person another means force likely produce great bodily injury commits offense ante observing petitioners tried state assault deadly weapon excessive use force police officer tried federal willfully using willfully allowing others use unreasonable force arresting king stating underlying conduct involved cases facial showing resulting identity factual predicates state federal prosecutions might cases overcome demonstrating say crucial witness state unavailable state trial one fault evidence overcome consequence reading guidelines suggest profit state malfunctions get benefit downward departure attribute normative irrationality heartland concept sense irrationality sure different presupposed district analysis issue susceptibility abuse prison incongruity produced downward departures need depend defendant responsibility particular malfunction state system fact remains normatively obtuse sentencing scheme reward defendant whose federal prosecution justified solely obtained advantage injustice produced failure state system course say succession state federal prosecutions may never justify downward departure comparison state federal verdicts relation factual predicates indicates incongruity downward departure federal sentencing well consistent application rational heartland concept cases justice breyer justice ginsburg joins concurring part dissenting part join opinion exception part agree justice souter conclusion respect section record support departures based upon either simple fact two prosecutions risk mistreatment prison view relevant guideline ussg section encompasses possibility double prosecution guideline applies various civil rights statutes congress enacted part provide federal forum protection constitutional rights state law enforcement efforts proved inadequate see ngiraingas sanchez monroe pape screws rutledge concurring result promulgating guidelines commission examined many hundreds criminal statutes code ussg pt intro comment likely aware legislative purpose centrality purpose commission likely awareness considerations justice souter mentions ante lead conclude basis statute guideline section commission considered double prosecution case one ordinarily within outside civil rights guideline heartland reason simple double prosecution without support departure see section departures permitted circumstances adequately taken consideration commission emphasis added departure basis potential mistreatment prison presents closer question nonetheless differences prison treatment fairly point frequent use factor basis departure undermine uniformity guidelines seek reason others justice souter mentions ante believe guidelines embody awareness potentially harsh lenient treatment prison thereby permitting departure basis truly unusual case even affording district due deference section find record anything sufficiently unusual compared say policemen imprisoned civil rights violations justify departure footnotes together powell also certiorari although essential analysis note passing unusual extent outside publicity probably irrelevant prison environment given amount outside publicity prison inmates quickly learn new arrivals including former police officers crimes convicted requirement normative order course say anything one way considering exceptionally unusual physical appearance basis anticipate abuse true factually successive federal prosecutions state proceedings occur rarely even criminal civil rights prosecutions commission civil rights guarding guardians noting police misconduct cases brought year march september seven successive prosecutions authorized davis practice successive prosecutions conduct remain rarities figures however demonstrate convictions successive federal prosecutions section reason subject discretion depart downward take account normative ordering discussed