2009 FEDERAL SENTENCING GUIDELINES MANUAL
CHAPTER SIX - PART A - SENTENCING PROCEDURES
§6A1.4. Notice of Possible Departure (Policy Statement)
Before the court may depart from the applicable sentencing guideline range on a ground not identified for departure either in the presentence report or in a party’s prehearing submission, the court must give the parties reasonable notice that it is contemplating such a departure. The notice must specify any ground on which the court is contemplating a departure. Rule 32(h), Fed. R. Crim. P.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 2004 (see Appendix C, amendment 674).
Commentary
Background: The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure were amended, effective December 1, 2002, to incorporate into Rule 32(h) the holding in Burns v. United States, 501 U.S. 129, 138–39 (1991). This policy statement parallels Rule 32(h), Fed. R. Crim. P.