The Case Brief : United States District Court v. Williams

United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia (1991)

Parties:

United States District Court (Plaintiff) v. Williams (Defendant)

Facts:

Williams made an attempt of drug distribution from Miami to Fort Walton Beach. By the defendant’s testimony he did not know about the fact that his co-conspirator was under the age of eighteen. (US v. Williams, 1991)

Prior Proceedings:

Williams was arrested at a hotel in Fort Walton Beach, and three of his accomplices were arrested at the Atlanta airport. Williams was indicted in a few counts of a conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine and assisted in abetting minors in distributing illegal substances, and was found guilty on all of them. The defendant was sentenced for six months in prison, however, consequently, Williams was sentenced to 235 months in prison due to the Williams’ refusing to testify.

Issues Presented or Questions of Law:

Firstly, whether unknowingly distributing drugs to the minors was legal or not? Secondly, “…[The district court] must decide whether the district court correctly enhanced Williams’s sentence because he obstructed justice when the court had already sentenced him for contempt of court”.

Arguments or Objectives of the Parties:

Williams argues that he did not knowingly involve a minor into the drugs transportation since he thought that the person was nineteen. Moreover, the defendant states that because he already got a conviction for six months in prison for contempt of court, it is improper for the court to enhance it to 235 months.

Holding/Rule of Law:

The defendant had a strong intent to distribute the drugs, and moreover, to sell certain illegal substances to the minors, and thus, violated 21 U.S.C. Sec. 846., 21 U.S.C. Sec. 841 and 21 U.S.C. Sec. 845b.

Saint Leo Core Values Displayed:

Williams violated The Saint Leo Core Values of Integrity and Community in such illegal actions as the usage and distribution of drugs to minors.

Rationale:

“[The district court]  rejected the argument that “knowledge of the age of the recipient … was an essential element of the crime….” [The district court] held instead that the prosecution need not prove that the distributor knew the recipient of the drugs was under twenty-one.”

Conclusion:

The defendant was sentenced to 6 months in prison, the court decided to enhance the defendant’s conviction, but The United States Sentencing Guidelines did not allow this result. The district court decided to affirm Williams’ convictions, however, vacate his sentence and remand for resentencing.

References

United States Court of Appeals. (1991).“UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Joseph Emmanuel WILLIAMS, Defendant-Appellant”. 922 F.2d 737. Retrieved from https://law.resource.org/pub/us/case/reporter/F2/922/922.F2d.737.89-8643.html

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]
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