Mario C. Thomas v. United States
Securities Immigration
Whether the 'and' in 18 U.S.C. §3553(f)(1) means 'and' or 'or'
QUESTION PRESENTED Section 3553(f) of Title 18, U.S. Code, is the “safety valve” which can allow a defendant to receive a sentence less than the statutory mandatory minimum in some circumstances. Section 3553(f)(1) creates a list of three disqualifying conditions: (A) having more than four points, (B) having a three-point offense, and (C) having a violent two-point offense. The question presented is whether the ‘and’ in 18 U.S.C. §3553(£)(1) means ‘and,’ so that a defendant satisfies the provision so long as he does not have (A) more than 4 criminal history points, (B) a 3-point offense, and(C) a 2-point offense, or whether the ‘and’ means ‘or,’ so that a defendant satisfies the provision so long as he does not have (A) more than 4 criminal history points, (B) a 3-point offense, or (C) a 2-point offense. This issue is currently before this Court in at least two petitions for writs of certiorari: Pulsifer v. United States, Case Number 22-340 and Palomares v. United States, Case Number 21-40247. Both of these petitions appear to have been fully briefed by the parties and distributed for a Court conference on February 17, 2023. The Court should hold this petition for writ of certiorari pending its determination whether to grant certiorari in Pulsifer and Palomares. il