An offender who has provided assistance in the investigation or prosecution of another offender, may qualify for a «substantial assistance» downward departure from the sentence determined under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. (aerlawgroup.com)
Parrish relies in part on Gall v. U.S., a 2007 decision in which the justices rejected the 8th Circuit's policy that sentencing judges must justify downward departures with findings of extraordinary circumstances. (sentencing.typepad.com)
I doubt that an isolated downward departure in New York, not yet tested on appeal, is going to have much relevance for a sentencing judge in Texas. (sentencing.typepad.com)