CHAPTER 235 —APPEAL
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1984—
§3731. Appeal by United States
In a criminal case an appeal by the United States shall lie to a court of appeals from a decision, judgment, or order of a district court dismissing an indictment or information or granting a new trial after verdict or judgment, as to any one or more counts, or any part thereof, except that no appeal shall lie where the double jeopardy clause of the United States Constitution prohibits further prosecution.
An appeal by the United States shall lie to a court of appeals from a decision or order of a district court suppressing or excluding evidence or requiring the return of seized property in a criminal proceeding, not made after the defendant has been put in jeopardy and before the verdict or finding on an indictment or information, if the United States attorney certifies to the district court that the appeal is not taken for purpose of delay and that the evidence is a substantial proof of a fact material in the proceeding.
An appeal by the United States shall lie to a court of appeals from a decision or order, entered by a district court of the United States, granting the release of a person charged with or convicted of an offense, or denying a motion for revocation of, or modification of the conditions of, a decision or order granting release.
The appeal in all such cases shall be taken within thirty days after the decision, judgment or order has been rendered and shall be diligently prosecuted.
The provisions of this section shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645,
Historical and Revision Notes
1948 Act
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §682 (Mar. 2, 1907, ch. 2564,
The word "dismissing" was substituted for "sustaining a motion to dismiss" in two places for conciseness and clarity, there being no difference in effect of a decision of dismissal whether made on motion or by the court sua sponte.
Minor changes were made to conform to Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. The final sentence authorizing promulgation of rules is omitted as redundant.
1949 Act
This section [section 58] corrects a typographical error in the second paragraph of
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2002—First par.
1994—Second par.
1986—Fifth par.
1984—First par.
Third par.
1971—First par.
Second par.
Such first and second pars. superseded former first eight pars. Pars. one through four had provided for appeal from district courts to Supreme Court from decision or judgment setting aside, or dismissing any indictment or information, or any count thereof and from decision arresting judgment of conviction for insufficiency of indictment or information, where such decision or judgment was based upon invalidity or construction of the statute upon which the indictment or information was founded and for an appeal from decision or judgment sustaining a motion in bar, where defendant had not been put in jeopardy. Pars. five through eight provided for appeal from district courts to a court of appeals where there were no provisions for direct appeal to Supreme Court from decision or judgment setting aside, or dismissing any indictment or information, or any count thereof and from decision arresting a judgment of conviction, and from an order, granting a motion for return of seized property or a motion to suppress evidence, made before trial of a person charged with violation of a Federal law, if the United States attorney certified to the judge who granted the motion that the appeal was not taken for purpose of delay and that the evidence was a substantial proof of the charge pending against the defendant.
Third par.
Fourth par.
Fifth par.
1968—
1949—Act May 24, 1949, substituted "invalidity" for "validity" after "upon the" in second par., and conformed language of fifth, tenth, and eleventh pars. to the changed nomenclature of the courts.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Savings Provision
§3732. Taking of appeal; notice; time—(Rule)
See Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
Taking appeal; notice, contents, signing; time, Rule 37(a).
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645,
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Rule 37 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure was abrogated Dec. 4, 1967, eff. July 1, 1968, and is covered by Rule 3, Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
§3733. Assignment of errors—(Rule)
See Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
Assignments of error on appeal abolished, Rule 37(a)(1).
Necessity of specific objection in order to assign error in instructions, Rule 30.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645,
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Rule 37 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure was abrogated Dec. 4, 1947, eff. July 1, 1968, and is covered by Rule 3, Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
§3734. Bill of exceptions abolished—(Rule)
See Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
Exceptions abolished, Rule 51.
Bill of exceptions not required, Rule 37(a)(1).
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645,
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Rule 37 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure was abrogated Dec. 4, 1967, eff. July 1, 1968, and is covered by Rule 3, Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
§3735. Bail on appeal or certiorari—(Rule)
See Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
Bail on appeal or certiorari; application, Rules 38(c) and 46(a)(2).
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645,
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Rule 38(c) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure was abrogated Dec. 4, 1967, eff. July 1, 1968, and is covered by rule 9, Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
Rule 46 was amended as part of the Bail Reform Act in 1966 and in 1972, and some provisions originally contained in Rule 46 are covered by this chapter, see Notes of Advisory Committee on Rules and Amendment notes under Rule 46, this Appendix.
§3736. Certiorari—(Rule)
See Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
Petition to Supreme Court, time, Rule 37(b).
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645,
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Rule 37 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure was abrogated Dec. 4, 1967, eff. July 1, 1968. Provisions of such former rule for certiorari are covered by rule 19 et seq. of the Rules of the United States Supreme Court.
§3737. Record—(Rule)
See Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
Preparation, form; typewritten record, Rule 39(b).
Exceptions abolished, Rule 51.
Bill of exceptions unnecessary, Rule 37(a)(1).
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645,
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Rules 37 and 39 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure were abrogated Dec. 4, 1967, eff. July 1, 1968, and are covered by Rule 10, Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
§3738. Docketing appeal and record—(Rule)
See Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
Filing record on appeal and docketing proceeding; time, Rule 39(c).
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645,
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Rule 39 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure was abrogated Dec. 4, 1967, eff. July 1, 1968, and is covered by Rules 10 to 12, Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
§3739. Supervision—(Rule)
See Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
Control and supervision in appellate court, Rule 39(a).
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645,
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Rule 39 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure was abrogated Dec. 4, 1967, eff. July 1, 1968, and is covered by Rule 27, Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
§3740. Argument—(Rule)
See Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
Setting appeal for argument; preference to criminal appeals, Rule 39(d).
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645,
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Rule 39 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure was abrogated Dec. 4, 1967, eff. July 1, 1968, and is covered by Rule 34, Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
§3741. Harmless error and plain error—(Rule)
See Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
Error or defect as affecting substantial rights, Rule 52.
Defects in indictment, Rule 7.
Waiver of error, Rules 12(b)(2) and 30.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645,
§3742. Review of a sentence
(a)
(1) was imposed in violation of law;
(2) was imposed as a result of an incorrect application of the sentencing guidelines; or
(3) is greater than the sentence specified in the applicable guideline range to the extent that the sentence includes a greater fine or term of imprisonment, probation, or supervised release than the maximum established in the guideline range, or includes a more limiting condition of probation or supervised release under section 3563(b)(6) or (b)(11) 1 than the maximum established in the guideline range; or
(4) was imposed for an offense for which there is no sentencing guideline and is plainly unreasonable.
(b)
(1) was imposed in violation of law;
(2) was imposed as a result of an incorrect application of the sentencing guidelines;
(3) is less than the sentence specified in the applicable guideline range to the extent that the sentence includes a lesser fine or term of imprisonment, probation, or supervised release than the minimum established in the guideline range, or includes a less limiting condition of probation or supervised release under section 3563(b)(6) or (b)(11) 1 than the minimum established in the guideline range; or
(4) was imposed for an offense for which there is no sentencing guideline and is plainly unreasonable.
The Government may not further prosecute such appeal without the personal approval of the Attorney General, the Solicitor General, or a deputy solicitor general designated by the Solicitor General.
(c)
(1) a defendant may not file a notice of appeal under paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (a) unless the sentence imposed is greater than the sentence set forth in such agreement; and
(2) the Government may not file a notice of appeal under paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (b) unless the sentence imposed is less than the sentence set forth in such agreement.
(d)
(1) that portion of the record in the case that is designated as pertinent by either of the parties;
(2) the presentence report; and
(3) the information submitted during the sentencing proceeding.
(e)
(1) was imposed in violation of law;
(2) was imposed as a result of an incorrect application of the sentencing guidelines;
(3) is outside the applicable guideline range, and
(A) the district court failed to provide the written statement of reasons required by section 3553(c);
(B) the sentence departs from the applicable guideline range based on a factor that—
(i) does not advance the objectives set forth in section 3553(a)(2); or
(ii) is not authorized under section 3553(b); or
(iii) is not justified by the facts of the case; or
(C) the sentence departs to an unreasonable degree from the applicable guidelines range, having regard for the factors to be considered in imposing a sentence, as set forth in
(4) was imposed for an offense for which there is no applicable sentencing guideline and is plainly unreasonable.
The court of appeals shall give due regard to the opportunity of the district court to judge the credibility of the witnesses, and shall accept the findings of fact of the district court unless they are clearly erroneous and, except with respect to determinations under subsection (3)(A) or (3)(B), shall give due deference to the district court's application of the guidelines to the facts. With respect to determinations under subsection (3)(A) or (3)(B), the court of appeals shall review de novo the district court's application of the guidelines to the facts.
(f)
(1) the sentence was imposed in violation of law or imposed as a result of an incorrect application of the sentencing guidelines, the court shall remand the case for further sentencing proceedings with such instructions as the court considers appropriate;
(2) the sentence is outside the applicable guideline range and the district court failed to provide the required statement of reasons in the order of judgment and commitment, or the departure is based on an impermissible factor, or is to an unreasonable degree, or the sentence was imposed for an offense for which there is no applicable sentencing guideline and is plainly unreasonable, it shall state specific reasons for its conclusions and—
(A) if it determines that the sentence is too high and the appeal has been filed under subsection (a), it shall set aside the sentence and remand the case for further sentencing proceedings with such instructions as the court considers appropriate, subject to subsection (g);
(B) if it determines that the sentence is too low and the appeal has been filed under subsection (b), it shall set aside the sentence and remand the case for further sentencing proceedings with such instructions as the court considers appropriate, subject to subsection (g);
(3) the sentence is not described in paragraph (1) or (2), it shall affirm the sentence.
(g)
(1) In determining the range referred to in subsection 3553(a)(4), the court shall apply the guidelines issued by the Sentencing Commission pursuant to
(2) The court shall not impose a sentence outside the applicable guidelines range except upon a ground that—
(A) was specifically and affirmatively included in the written statement of reasons required by section 3553(c) in connection with the previous sentencing of the defendant prior to the appeal; and
(B) was held by the court of appeals, in remanding the case, to be a permissible ground of departure.
(h)
(i)
(j)
(1) a factor is a "permissible" ground of departure if it—
(A) advances the objectives set forth in section 3553(a)(2); and
(B) is authorized under section 3553(b); and
(C) is justified by the facts of the case; and
(2) a factor is an "impermissible" ground of departure if it is not a permissible factor within the meaning of subsection (j)(1).
(Added
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 3563(b)(6) or (b)(11), referred to in subsecs. (a)(3) and (b)(3), was renumbered section 3563(b)(5) or (b)(10) by
The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, referred to in subsec. (c), are set out in the Appendix of this title.
Constitutionality
For information regarding the constitutionality of certain provisions of this section, as added and amended by section 401(d)(2), (e) of
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (e)(3).
"(A) the factors to be considered in imposing a sentence, as set forth in
"(B) the reasons for the imposition of the particular sentence, as stated by the district court pursuant to the provisions of section 3553(c); or".
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(1).
Subsec. (f)(2).
"(A) if it determines that the sentence is too high and the appeal has been filed under subsection (a), it shall set aside the sentence and remand the case for further sentencing proceedings with such instructions as the court considers appropriate;
"(B) if it determines that the sentence is too low and the appeal has been filed under subsection (b), it shall set aside the sentence and remand the case for further sentencing proceedings with such instructions as the court considers appropriate;".
Subsec. (f)(3).
Subsecs. (g) to (i).
Subsec. (j).
1994—Subsec. (b).
1990—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (g).
1988—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
"(A) the sentence specified in the applicable guideline to the extent that the sentence includes a greater fine or term of imprisonment or term of supervised release than the maximum established in the guideline, or includes a more limiting condition of probation or supervised release under section 3563(b)(6) or (b)(11) than the maximum established in the guideline; and
"(B) the sentence specified in a plea agreement, if any, under Rule 11(e)(1)(B) or (e)(1)(C) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure; or".
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3).
"(A) the sentence specified in the applicable guideline to the extent that the sentence includes a lesser fine or term of imprisonment or term of supervised release than the minimum established in the guideline, or includes a less limiting condition of probation or supervised release under section 3563(b)(6) or (b)(11) than the minimum established in the guideline; and
"(B) the sentence specified in a plea agreement, if any, under Rule 11(e)(1)(B) or (e)(1)(C) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure; or".
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsecs. (f), (g).
Subsec. (h).
1987—Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (e)(2).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A), (B).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (f).
1986—Subsec. (e)(1).
Subsec. (e)(2)(A).
Subsec. (e)(2)(B).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Words "Magistrate Judge" and "United States magistrate judge" substituted for "Magistrate" and "United States magistrate", respectively, in subsec. (g) pursuant to section 321 of
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Amendment by
Effective Date
Section effective Nov. 1, 1987, and applicable only to offenses committed after the taking effect of this section, see section 235(a)(1) of