No. 24-841

David W. Suetholz v. United States

Lower Court: Sixth Circuit
Docketed: 2025-02-06
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Response Waived
Tags: criminal-liability deliberate-ignorance mens-rea physician-prosecution prescribing-standards statutory-interpretation
Latest Conference: 2025-03-21
Question Presented (from Petition)

1. Does a deliberate ignorance instruction in a physician prosecution under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a) that incorporates an objective yet "ambiguous" standard of "authorized" prescribing have the improper effect of allowing criminal liability based on the mental state of a hypothetical "reasonable" doctor rather than based on the "knowing" mental state of the defendant himself, as required by Ruan v. United States?

2. Is a deliberate ignorance instruction appropriate when there is no evidence the defendant took affirmative steps to avoid learning the truth of a relevant fact?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether a deliberate ignorance instruction in a physician prosecution under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a) impermissibly reduces the required mens rea by incorporating an objective standard of 'authorized' prescribing

Docket Entries

2025-03-24
Petition DENIED.
2025-02-26
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/21/2025.
2025-02-18
Waiver of United States of right to respond submitted.
2025-02-18
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2025-02-03
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due March 10, 2025)

Attorneys

United States
Sarah M. HarrisActing Solicitor General, Respondent