In sentencing for serious federal drug trafficking offences, matters personal to the offender and prospects of rehabilitation are properly treated as of secondary importance to general and personal deterrence. A finding of exceptional hardship to an offender's family, including the impact on a child with autism spectrum disorder, may be accorded limited weight where the seriousness of the offending involves competing and overriding considerations. The seriousness of the offence is a relevant factor in assessing the mitigating weight to be given to family hardship.
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