United States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Gilbert Espinoza-saenz, Defendant-appellant, 129 F.3d 131 (10th Cir. 1997)

ORDER AND JUDGMENT^* 

After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously to grant the parties' request for a decision on the briefs without oral argument. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(f); 10th Cir. R. 34.1.9. The case is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.

Defendant appeals the district court's discretionary denial of a downward departure from the guideline mandated sentence to home detention due to his physical condition. See U.S.S.G. § 5H1.4. Defendant's counsel has filed a brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), in which he states the appeal is frivolous because this court lacks jurisdiction to decide an appeal from the district court's discretionary refusal to grant a downward departure. Counsel has also filed a motion to withdraw pursuant to Anders and 10th Cir. R. 46.4.2.

Defendant was provided with a copy of counsel's Anders brief and allowed "to raise any points that he chooses." Anders, 386 U.S. at 744. He alleges, without providing support, that this court has jurisdiction to decide whether a district court's discretionary denial of a motion for downward departure was proper. Also, he argues that his counsel was ineffective because (1) he instructed counsel to request downward departure of his guideline sentence, not home detention; (2) counsel should have objected to indications by the government that he had other charges pending against him, he was an escapee from the Bureau of Prisons, and he threatened the cooperating witness or members of the family of the cooperating witness; and (3) his counsel did not properly argue his physical condition, criminal history, or the facts of the case.

Unless the district court was unaware of its authority to depart downward from the guidelines, the court's failure to depart is unreviewable on appeal.¹  See United States v. Sanders, 18 F.3d 1488, 1490 (10th Cir. 1994). Because the district court judge plainly was aware of his authority to grant a downward departure and refused to do so, see III R. at 11, his decision must stand. We lack jurisdiction to review the refusal to depart. See Sanders, 18 F.3d at 1491.

We conclude defendant's ineffective assistance of counsel claims should be brought in collateral proceedings rather than on this direct appeal. See United States v. Galloway, 56 F.3d 1239, 1240 (10th Cir. 1995) (en banc). "Such claims brought on direct appeal are presumptively dismissable...." Id.

Accordingly, the appeal is DISMISSED. Counsel's motion to withdraw is GRANTED. The mandate shall issue forthwith.