United States Ninth Circuit

In a "simple" non-conspiracy marijuana importation case, admission of expert testimony regarding the structure of drug trafficking organizations was prejudicial error and grounds for reversal of conviction, where implication was clear that defendant was a member of an international drug organization.

Appellate Information

• Argued 12/06/2001
• Decided 04/23/2002
• Published 04/23/2002

Judges

• REINHARDT, Circuit Judge., Before: REINHARDT and TALLMAN, Circuit Judges, and DAMRELL, District Judge.

Court

• United States Ninth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
• Shereen J. Charlick, Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc., San Diego, CA, for defendant-appellant., Patrick K. O'Toole, United States Attorney, and Bruce R. Castetter, and Scott H. Saham, Assistant United States Attorneys, San Diego, CA, for plaintiff-appellee.