October Term 2014 · Docket 14-378
Does a drug dealer need to know a substance is a controlled substance to face federal charges?
The dispute centers on the mental state required for a conviction under the Controlled Substances Act.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Kevin Russell argued the briefing narrowed the disagreement among the parties.
Russell stated that ignorance of the law is no excuse.
Ms. Harrington argued a broader view of knowledge is correct.
Harrington stated the government need not limit knowledge specifically to drug laws.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 46-1 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 46-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 16-20 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 16-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 12-12 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 12-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 28-50 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 28-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-20 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-40 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 22-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 4-18 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 4-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 42-6 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 42-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 10-32 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 10-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 34-36 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 34-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 40-16 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 40-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 38-1 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 38-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 10-12 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 10-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 16-42 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 16-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 12-22 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 12-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 36-42 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 36-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 10-14 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 10-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 34-44 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 34-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 24-50 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 24-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 52-10 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 52-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 26-30 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 26-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 42-6 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 42-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 16-26 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 16-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 32-38 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 32-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 52-10 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 52-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 40-18 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 40-18
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests the knowledge element for selling drug analogues.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 12-12 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 12-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 28-50 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 28-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-20 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 10-32 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 10-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 24-50 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 24-50
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 21, 2015.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 38-1 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 38-1
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the conviction overturned.
The government wants the conviction upheld.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 12-12 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 12-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 28-50 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 28-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-20 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 10-32 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 10-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 24-50 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 24-50
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues the government must prove specific knowledge of the substance's chemical makeup.
The government argues general knowledge of the substance's effects satisfies the legal requirement.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 12-12 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 12-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 28-50 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 28-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-20 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 10-32 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 10-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 24-50 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 24-50
What the justices asked
Justice Scalia asked if the seller must know the chemical makeup causing the substance to be an analogue.
Justice Ginsburg asked if a supplier stating the substance mimics cocaine satisfies the mental state requirement.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 46-1 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 46-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 16-20 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 16-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-40 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 22-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 4-18 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 4-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 42-6 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 42-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 34-36 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 34-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 40-16 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 40-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 38-1 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 38-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 10-12 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 10-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 16-42 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 16-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 12-22 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 12-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 36-42 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 36-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 10-14 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 10-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 34-44 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 34-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 52-10 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 52-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 26-30 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 26-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 42-6 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 42-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 16-26 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 16-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 32-38 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 32-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 52-10 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 52-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 40-18 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 40-18
Why it matters
The outcome defines the mental state required for federal drug convictions. It sets the standard for proving a defendant knew the substance was illegal. This standard affects how prosecutors build cases against drug sellers. It determines the scope of criminal liability under federal law.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 12-12 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 12-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 28-50 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 28-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-20 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 10-32 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 10-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 24-50 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 24-50
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 46-1 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 46-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 16-20 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 16-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 22-40 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 22-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 4-18 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 4-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 42-6 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 42-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 34-36 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 34-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 40-16 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 40-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 38-1 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 38-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 10-12 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 10-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 16-42 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 16-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 12-22 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 12-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 36-42 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 36-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 10-14 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 10-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 34-44 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 34-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 52-10 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 52-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 26-30 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 26-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 42-6 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 42-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 16-26 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 16-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 32-38 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 32-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 52-10 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 52-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 40-18 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 40-18
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 12-12 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 12-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 28-50 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 28-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-20 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 10-32 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 10-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 24-50 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 24-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 12-12 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 12-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 28-50 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 28-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-20 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 10-32 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 10-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 24-50 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 24-50
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.