History
  • No items yet
midpage
United States v. Jude R. Hayes
794 F.2d 1348
9th Cir.
1986
Check Treatment

*1 petition rehearing for is denied and suggestion rehearing en for banc is RAZEY, Plaintiff-Appellant, Harvey B. rejected. HECKLER, Secretary Margaret M. Services,

Health and Human

Defendant-Appellee.

No. 85-3639. Appeals,

United States Court

Ninth Circuit. America, UNITED STATES Argued Oct. 1985. and Submitted Plaintiff-Appellee, 1, 1986. April Decided July As Amended 1986. HAYES, Defendant-Appellant. R. Jude No. 84-1276. Appeals,

United States Court of Ninth Circuit. Wash., Spokane, for Stephens, P.

Robert Argued and Submitted Nov. 1985. plaintiff-appellant. 9,May Decided Seattle, Wash., Wetmore, for de-

Richard

fendant-appellee. ALARCON, GOODWIN,

Before

POOLE, Judges. Circuit

ORDER opinion amend its panel has voted to 1,1986, 785 F.2d April on

filed herein page following paragraph on adding “AFFIRMED”:

1431 before reach, express opin- do not no preclusive ef- upon,

ion the issue of the any case on other case

fect of this of a Razey may be a member class, any

plaintiff express nor do we

opinion upon effect of such other upon

cases this case. amendment, panel has vot-

With rehearing deny petition

ed to for and to suggestion rehearing

reject for en

banc.

The full court has been advised

suggestion rehearing en and no banc requested judge

active has a vote matter en banc.

whether to rehear 35.)

(Fed.R.App.P.

offices. The executed the search warrants seized over 200 medical files. Hayes then instituted a civil action for records, alleging the return of the issued warrants were unconstitutionally overbroad. district court in the civil *3 action concluded that the warrants were overbroad and ordered all of the seized records and documents to be returned un- Hayes 1, by February less was indicted 28, 1983, January 1983. On a federal grand jury Hayes indicted on 640 counts of prescribing pa- his tients violation of the Act. The indict- Hayes’s ment focused on treatment of 20 patients three-year period; over a each scription drug of a Schedule II constituted separate count. Fresno, Leighton, Cal., plain- Brian C. trial,

tiff-appellee. Hayes suppress Prior to moved to the evidence seized from his offices on the Parham, Porterville, Cal., Dale Alan Der- probable basis that there was no cause to showitz, Mass., Cambridge, for defendant- issue search warrants and that appellant. general, overbroad, warrants were and vio

lated the fourth amendment. A different held, judge district denied his motion and contrary by judge to the decision in the action, civil warrants were not WALLACE, ANDERSON, Before argued Hayes overbroad. never PREGERSON, Judges. Circuit decision the court in the civil action collaterally estopped the court the crimi WALLACE, Judge: Circuit considering validity nal action from Hayes appeals from his conviction for Therefore, the warrant. we will not con prescribing patients II See United appeal. sider that issue on Act, violation of the Controlled Substances 765, Lasky, States v. (9th 769 (the Act). 841(a)(1) 21 U.S.C. He con- § denied, Cir.), cert. 444 U.S. improperly tends in- jury was Mahoney v. structed and that the should States, (D.C.Cir. United 255 been allowed to introduce evi- 1969). pursuant dence his office secured records trial, eight-week jury After an re- jurisdiction to search warrants. haveWe Hayes turned convictions 281 counts. 28 under U.S.C. and we affirm. § years prison was sentenced to three probation three-year a consecutive term of I $100,000. and was fined physician patients is a and treats Porterville, Farmersville, at his offices in Ivanhoe, receiving California. After the district

information that contends Act, jury in supplemental medication in court’s initial and violation of the Drug A defendant is the United States Enforcement Ad- structions were erroneous. jury ministration from fed- entitled to a instruction on a defense obtained warrants magistrate theory theory if the has a basis law and Hayes’s eral to search three Coin, in the record. See United States v. the usual professional course of his prac- Cir.1985) (per tice. F.2d cu riam). adequacy jury The instruc questions before pertain raised us tions, however, is determined examining the fourth element. court instructed See United a whole. the instructions as jury meaning good about the faith: Wellington, faith means an honest effort [G]ood — (9th Cir.) (Wellington), prescribe patient’s for a condition in ac- —, S.Ct. U.S. cordance with the standard of medical proposed to refuse a (1985). not error “[I]t practice generally recognized and accept- the other long instructions instruction so ed in Mistakes, the country. course, theory.” entirety cover in their faith____ good not a breach of Kenny, You agree need not with or believe in a Cir.), practice profession, standard but 3059, 69 L.Ed.2d 425 must *4 be concerned with good a faith attempt according to act to them. Good The district court has broad discre faith is not a merely doctor’s sincere formulating tion in the instructions and intention people towards the who come to give need not an instruction in precise him, but, rather, see it involves his sinc- language proposed by the defendant. See erity in attempting to conduct himself in Echeverry, United States v. accordance with a standard of medical (9th Cir.1985). “Imperfectly formu practice recognized generally and accept- jury lated will instructions serve as a basis ed in country. overturning for only upon a conviction a showing of abuse of discretion.” Welling Hayes contends these that instructions ton, 754 F.2d at 1463. are misleading contrary and holding our Boettjer, United States v. 569 F.2d 1078

A. (9th Cir.) (Boettjer), In Hayes contends that the jury initial Boettjer, jury we a reviewed instruction concerning instructions the elements of the which stated physician that to convict a charged offense with which he was were distributing Schedule II in violation misleading. The jury court instructed the Act, jury beyond had to find a prove must prescription reasonable doubt that was Hayes “knowingly did an act which the law good “other than in issued a forbids, purposefully intending to violate faith for legitimate purpose medical and in ac the law.” The read jury court to the cordance gen with the medical standards part 841(a)(1) relevant of 21 U.S.C. and § erally recognized accepted and in the then instructed them that order to con profession.” medical Id. at 1081 (empha Hayes they vict original). expressed sis We concern in must find as to each those counts that Boettjer jury could have interpret proven beyond Government has a ed this in three conflicting instruction reasonable doubt each of the elements ways, per but concluded that there was no necessary 1) to establish the offense: suasive showing prejudice of actual and Hayes, defendant, That Dr. Jude R. was precise that a more instruction would not registrant a to dispense authorized con- deliberations. Id. at jury’s have altered the trolled legitimate substances for medical 1081-83. purposes; 2) That defendant know- ingly intentionally argument prescrip- issued a raises a similar here. tion; 3) prescription given That the He contends was for a the instructions permitted jury narcotic controlled to convict him if he substance alleged; 4) good as That the acted in failed to prescription faith but conform to is, good practices was issued him other than in standard a con- medical —that faith, legitimate purpose, negligence. Hayes’s argu- for a medical in viction based on If a narcotic addict and the in isolation a were only if we read weighty isment complaint addiction or prescrip- only a medical was states that which the instruction withdrawal, Hayes than in could not have issued “other have been issued tion must pur- good faith, legitimate faith. The instruction for a good professional only complaint his course of refers to “a medical pose, in the usual instructions, proper Jury addiction or as a practice.” than withdrawal” drug in the context as a whole for a Schedule must be viewed basis Wellington, trial. See drug Any vagueness in the in- the entire addict. jury court’s light In of the district at 1463. since section struction favored good specific intent 1306.07(c) permits prescribing instructions narcotic jury faith, how the could to see we fail drugs to narcotic addicts “intracta- permitting interpret the instructions possi- no relief or cure is pain ble negligence. mere finding guilt based on after reason- or none has been found ble very argument in Indeed, rejected able efforts.” Id. concluding strains Boettjer after “[i]t doubt, the instructions could Without jury could have imagine that the belief to improved. as a been When viewed finding into the defendant misled been whole, however, jury the initial instructions if his actions in accordance guilty relating to given by the district court both Boettjer, medical standards.” 841(a)(1)violation the elements of a section original). (emphasis in F.2d at 1082 exception Act’s medical were suffi- confusion any possible emphasized contends that cient. But further dealing eliminated later instructions *5 correctly if instructions even the initial relationship stan- faith and its to good law, confusing, and the stated Id. practice. at 1082. of medical dards compounded the con- that the district court language Although precise could more supplemental in its instructions to fusion used, reach the same conclu- have been jury. the in case. sion this B. jury instructed the The court also against pre prohibition Act’s about the deliberating, jury the sub While drugs II for detoxifica scribing Schedule questions to the four mitted substantive and maintenance addiction: tion that the Hayes court. contends district ex responses the medical court’s misstated is not or addiction Narcotic withdrawal additional confu ception and thus created justifying medical condition a sufficient concerning necessary elements for the sion administering of a nar- prescribing or 841(a). section We a conviction under Therefore, if cotic controlled substance. “ necessity, extent and that stated ‘[t]he the defendant ... wrote you find that instructions of additional character prescription for a narcotic control[led] the sound discretion matters within did addict who substance on a narcotic ” Collom, v. trial court.’ United States complaint other than not have a medical Cir.1979) (Collom), (9th requiring the or withdrawal addiction 446 U.S. controlled substances type of narcotic quoting Wilson (1980), 64 L.Ed.2d pre- the issuance of said prescribed, then States, F.2d good faith in scription not be would time, district Cir.1970). At the same practice professional usual course of responsibility to eliminate court has purpose. legitimate medical for a clarification jury asks for confusion when a improper “be- argues that this is Hayes particular issue. See United of a to objective test as imposes it an cause Cir.) (per McCall, F.2d complaint of a medical the existence both curiam), of treatment.” appropriateness 2061, instruction, however, properly states The 1306.07(c)(1985). jury first asked: The See the law. C.F.R. § expert drug on not [Assuming an abuse his discretion in not answering dependence and understands conse jury’s question directly. The court’s quences medication,] restatement of the initial instruction was guilty be would Dr. adequate. Collom, See at 631. charged in case if after the med’s jury legal The any then asked: “Is it for assumptions considering the noted above physician prescribe prescribe we felt Dr. didn’t pain long relieve physi- for a time as the drug or them for maintenance addiction pain cian present?” believes the to be The for prescribed and he the med’s judge always. physi- answered: “Not legitimate reasons such as moderate to weigh cian must the risk of addiction sincerely pain that he felt severe existed (and against the benefits see the answer to any patient[?] any Would individual other questions).” Hayes’s counsel ac- guilty charged of the crimes [doctor] knowledged weighing of the risk under these circumstancesf?] of addiction versus the of a benefits Sched- the jury: The district court answered “If II drug argued, ule relevant. was He how- good Dr. Hayes prescribed the ever, jury specifical- should also be legitimate purpose faith for ly pre- instructed the duration of a professional practice usual course scription alone-does not the prescrip- make prescribe drug did them for not mainte- illegal. tion see no error the court’s nance he is guilty.” Hayes or addiction not give refusal this additional instruction agreed supplemental to the court’s instruc- response since the jury’s court’s tion, except he “did felt the inquiry adequately jury referred the to the drug scribe them maintenance addic- relevant considerations. confusing language tion” since the Lastly, jury asked: jury’s question assumed that he did not do meritless, opinion has expressed so. been This contention is for the our hinges incorporates decision we can plainly court’s answer whether deter- mine, doubt, question’s beyond assumption. reasonable whether pain fact existed. The conclusion The jury pa- next asked: “If we find a *6 opinion based on this is that since no tient was an addict and the doctor treated degree human can determine the of an- drugs, his addiction II Sched[ule] person’s pain, we cannot rule on patient the experienced pain, chronic pain. the or of exist[e]nce nonexist[e]nce pain the doctor treated the chronic in a effort, good faith how would we find— The court answered: “The existence of guilty or guilty?” The court answered: pain only question is not the involved. The

I question directly. can not answer this jury must determine whether not the In the case of the treatment a good painful Doctor in faith that a believed addict, you who is an factors all the that the condition existed warranted mentioned must be considered scription peri- II for of Schedule the order to or not determine whether the dosages Hayes od of time and involved.” prescribed argues subjective that this obscures the good faith, legitimate pur- for good Hayes’s suggest- element of faith pose professional in the usual course ing pain that must exist. The court’s an- practice. however, swer, clearly pain that is stated only jury not the and that the consideration Hayes objected ground the that under good if physician must determine the Boettjer the been answer should have “not pain faith believed that existed. guilty.” disagree. An answer of “not “warrant- argues also that use of the term guilty” might jury have misled the into suggested jury to the prescription” ed the believing Hayes could addiction treat applied. drugs, that an test should be objective with Schedule II he could not only judge that term refers Consequently, do. did When read context district — denied, U.S. —, 75, good faith. cert. 106 S.Ct. subjective to the doctor’s (1985). There no error. requires The fourth amendment C. particularly that “warrants shall describe arguments relat- Hayes raises two other things general to be seized makes [and] He contends jury instructions. ed to the impossible.” searches under them Marron impermissibly shifted that the instructions States, 192, 196, v. United U.S. disagree. him. We proof the burden 76, (1927). par 72 L.Ed. 231 S.Ct. clearly stated that jury instructions ticularity requirement ensures that “noth prov- has the burden of “the Government ing is left to the discretion of the officer charges beyond ing every element executing Id.; the warrant.” see United and that “burden doubt” reasonable 1336,1339 (9th Hillyard, v. States defendant.” to the never shifts Cir.1982) A (Hillyard). warrant need also contends section reasonably specific description be its unconstitutionally vague 841(a)(1) ap as is objects of the search and need not be validity plied. Hayes admits that facial elaborately detailed. v. See United States 841(a)(1) upheld against has been of section Brock, (9th Cir.1982), vagueness. for See United attacks 122, 145, Moore, 423 U.S. Thus, (1983). proba 75 L.Ed.2d 493 when 346, 46 L.Ed.2d 333 United States exists, “all items in a set of files ble cause Rosenberg, 515 F.2d 197-98 search, may inspected during provided Cir.), sufficiently specific guidelines for contends, He sought pro identifying the documents vague ap statute in the search fol vided warrant and are jury plied in this case because of erroneous conducting lowed the officers potentially “exacerbated” instructions that Tamura, search.” United States v. ambiguous language in the statute. We (9th Cir.1982) (Tamura). supple have concluded that the initial and not erroneous. mental instructions were A.

Thus, reject Hayes’s argument that the We first examine whether circumstances of this case caused section government’s affidavits can be considered 841(a)(1) unconstitutionally vague as to be determining partic if the warrant lacked applied. may ularity. An affidavit be relied on to provide requisite particularity in an oth III (1) only “if erwise overbroad warrant contends warrant, (2) accompanies the affidavit of his three offices were the search uses suitable words of refer *7 warrant general facially and authorized a overbroad incorporate the affidavit there ence which in violation of the search and seizure 1340; Hillyard, in.” 677 F.2d at see Unit The and amendments. fourth fourteenth Belonging Talk Property ed to of any lack of district court concluded that Inc., Bookstore, Town 644 F.2d particularity in was eliminat the warrants (9th Cir.1981) (Talk the Town 1319 support by ed the affidavits submitted Bookstore). and, alternatively, warrants Here, disputed is whether general it description in the warrants incorporated the affi descrip adequately permissible precise more warrants because a reference, by but it is clear that novo davits possible. tion was not We review de accompany the did not warrants. affidavits the district court’s conclusion war concluded that The district court facially were not overbroad. See rants “be used to McClintock, government’s affidavits could United States v. may be Cir.1984) (McClintock), any particularity which supply 1282 warrant,” missing from the and that the contends requirement accompany that an affidavit are overbroad on their face because challenge the warrant is relevant to a permitted the officers examine thou disagree. that a search is overbroad. We patient sands files. The number of files purpose accompanying of the affidavit scrutinized, could be is not clarifying a is both to warrant limit the determinative. The search and seizure of per- officer’s discretion and to inform the large quantities of justified material is if subject son to the search what items the scope material is within the executing officers the warrant can seize. probable underlying cause the warrant. Bookstore, Talk the Town 644 F.2d at McClintock, 1283; United 748 F.2d at 1319. If the needed affidavits are not at- Gomez-Soto, States v. warrant, purpose tached to the then neither (9th Cir.), Consequently, is served. in this case the L.Ed.2d may affidavits considered in deter- Known As 50 State Dis Offices mining facially whether the warrant Co., tributing overbroad. Cir.1983) (50 State),

B. now examine whether warrant on magistrate probable found its face is overbroad and violation of the cause to issue the warrants based on an magistrate fourth amendment. The issued complaint affidavit that by described one warrants, three for each of Hayes’s one patient, by statements an undercover offi offices, that authorized officers to seize cer, testimony by Hayes’s reception one of (1) (mependine), morphine demerol sul ists, testimony of a medical consultant substance; (2) fate and other controlled who Hayes’s prescription reviewed records purchas all records which document pharmacies for Schedule II at 15 ing, dispensing of con California, County, Tulare and concluded substances, including, trolled lim but not there high probability was a to, patient ited contained in records abetted, Hayes “caused, or prolonged required charts and all relevant records or habituation controlled sub addi[c]tion be maintained Title of the Code magistrate probable stances.” The found Regulations, of Federal Part 1300 to end cause seize all controlled substances and Sections 11190and of the Cali all procuring, records that related to the Code; (3) Safety fornia pa Health and transferring, administering, prescribing, or logs, tient appointment books and other dispensing of controlled substances. On ledgers reflecting records and distribu appeal, Hayes challenge does not this de substances1; (4) tion of controlled corre probable cause. termination of The fact spondence concerning procuring, discovered, upon that the officers arrival at transferring, administering, prescribing offices, 10,- the three that there were over dispensing of controlled substances files not detract from the does Dr. Hayes; all of which constitute evi magistrate’s finding probable initial possible dence of of 21 violations USC 841(a)(1) 843(a)(3).2 and 21 cause. USC warrants, departure provision 1. In two of the that such a failure was a from normal read: Dissent, "patient logs, appointment procedures. p. n. 1. The books office and other *8 reflecting patient ledgers however, records and attorney, visits to United States also stated that Hayes employees, constituting Dr. or his evi- drafting he warrants and affida- assisted illegal dence of of controlled distribution sub- only departure vits. The from normal office stances." procedures to review was his failure the final they drafts of the warrants before affidavits and

2. The states the United States attor- dissent magistrate. were submitted to the argument ney admitted oral that he did not at draft or review the warrants affidavits and 1356 per- the war cers did not seize all the materials contends that

Hayes also for the warrant does not mean that to standards mitted provide failed rant possessed type files dis- distinguish they between those of unfettered to officers they and seize those cretion that violates the fourth amendment. the officers could should the warrants could not and We also conclude that the war dis narrowly drawn. We more have been narrowly rants need not have been more “some of this nature agree. In searches Hayes drawn. contends that officers examined, will be at documents innocuous concerning possessed information 58 cases to cursorily, in order determine least potential involving Schedule II violations fact, are, among those whether have drugs and that should to be seized.” Andresen papers authorized Such been limited to those 58 files. 11, 463, n. 96 482 Maryland, 427 U.S. conclusion, ignores magis (1976) 11, L.Ed.2d 627 2749 n. 49 S.Ct. unchallenged finding, appeal, of trate’s Here, (.Andresen). the officers were limit con probable to all documents cause seize dealing to documents ed their seizure cerning substances.4 The 58 controlled of controlled subs distribution with the fairly considered as known cases could permit did tances.3 warrants pervasive violations representative more to any documents unrelated to seize them State, 708 F.2d of the Act. See 50 at substances. See United States controlled 1374-75. Cir.1983), Whitten, 1009 AFFIRMED. 1100, 104 rt. U.S. ce Where, (1984). as PREGERSON, dissenting. Judge, Circuit here, standards that there articulated lawfully on information received avoiding Based “reasonably guide the officers pharmacies, federal various protected property, a search from the seizure of pre- illegally Dr. authorizing seizure is not a determined that such warrant drugs patients. v. Pol Schedule II to warrant.” United States general scribed Cir.1984); limiting to sus- lock, 1456, 1466 (9th the search these see Instead substances, Andresen, patients three pected at at n. Tamura, broadly 595; case 11; search warrants issued this 694 F.2d at 2749 n. Federbush, each agents to search authorized the files, 10,000 patient located in three United States v. Loud (9th Cir.1980); over offices, relating erman, (9th Cir.), information cert. to ac- any substance. Because the controlled case offi- of the federal authorities The fact that the tions L.Ed.2d illegal "evidence of distribution of failed to in constituted The dissent contends that 3. language consider in two of warrants substances.” controlled particu- determining if the warrants violated the larity requirement of the fourth amendment. attor- states that the United States The dissent Dissent, p. Farmersville and Porter- 1357. The argument ney during oral admitted language contain that the dissent ville warrants interprets involv- to limit the warrants to records failure ing p. limiting seizure of certain Dissent, was a "mistake." Schedule II constitute "evidence of records to those that However, attor- States the United n. 1. illegal of controlled substances." distribution properly argued ney later that the warrants limiting no The Ivanhoe warrant contains such because not limited to warrants, however, language. All contain three probable cause conclude that was there language seizure that authorized the additional dispensing substances in was controlled purchasing, of all records that "document the event, any the United the law. In violation of dispensing, controlled sub- [of] attorney’s "mistake” in of a admission contends, stances.” concedes, response questioning is irrele- the court the sei- warrants authorized magistrate there found that because vant that related zure of all records documents probable warrant with issue the cause to administering, transferring, procuring, generally and substances reference to controlled dispensing scribing, or of controlled substances. drugs only. not as Therefore, require the did not offi- warrants particular item cers to determine whether *9 disregard demonstrate a cavalier for the A case. close review of the facts demon particularity require- Fourth Amendment’s the flagrant strates overbreadth of ment,1 I am unable to countenance the ma- warrant used agents to search Dr. jority opinion’s approval of the search in Hayes’s three medical offices. this case.2 The most obvious violation of the Fourth provides The Fourth Amendment that Amendment’s particularity requirement issue, “no upon proba Warrants shall but found in the two search warrants covering particularly describing ble cause ... 9,000 more than files at the Farm- searched, place to be persons ersville and Portersville medical offices. things or to be seized.” Const. U.S. These warrants authorized the search of particu amend. IV. The touchstone of the “patient logs, appointment books and larity requirement is whether the warrant records constituting ... illegal evidence of taken, ensures to what is to be “[a]s distribution of controlled substances.” nothing is left to the discretion of the offi provision This is not reasonably specific the warrant.” Marron v. executing cer because the executing officers the warrant States, 275 192, 196, 48 S.Ct. must during determine the search whether 74, 76, (1927); Andresen v. 72 L.Ed. 231 particular item “constitutes evidence” of Maryland, 463, 480, 427 U.S. illegal fact, distribution.3 In this is exactly see United (1976); Gomez-Soto, type provision warrant this court (9th Cir.), repeatedly has struck down.4 The 466 U.S. majority opinion 2360 80 winks glaring at this ma defi- jority, acknowledging ciency by while merely quoting, this fundamen explain- without principle, ignores application tal its ing, provisions these in its footnote. argument, attorney 1. At oral the United States 3. especially problemat- Such a determination is assigned repeatedly acknowledged this case ic in this case excep- because of the "medical that the failure to limit the search warrants to prohibition tion" to the prescription of con- involving specific records trolled indicating substances. A file that Dr. patients part was a "mistake” on the Hayes prescribed a controlled substance would agents who drafted the warrants. Government necessarily establish a violation of the stat- hindsight" counsel conceded that “in the war- executing ute. The officers would have to deter- rants suspect should have been limited to the prescription mine if the was "excessive” or for a patient files referred to in the affidavits. fact, purpose. agents "non-medical” In testi- apparently This error was due to counsel’s they judgment fied that used their own in deter- adequately agents failure to assist the in draft- mining Hayes's what to seize from Dr. offices. ing agents the warrants. Counsel noted that the typed up the warrants and affidavits and he See, Gomez-Soto, e.g., (in 4. 723 F.2d at 653-54 present- failed to review them before validating provision authorizing warrant search magistrate ed to the because “for some reason I papers "evidencing currency failures to file acknowledged was not available.” He further that his failure to review the warrants was a reports____”); transaction United States v. Card well, 1982) (search Cir. departure "customary practice." from corporate records "which are the fruits and in Thus, although attorney asserted that he strumentalities, of violations of tax [federal preparing assisted the affidavits and war- law].”); Howland, VonderAhe v. rants, appears it give that he did not (9th Cir.1974) (search 366-67 meaningful guidance documents on how the documents fact, committing "used as a means of should be constitute candidly worded. In counsel that, offenses); evidence” of quite suprised admitted "I federal tax see also Unit that [the Drebin, up reading way ended ed States v. warrant] it 1322-23 did.” Cir.1977) (search film), "illegally reproduced" agree majority opinion I with the affidavits, which were neither served with nor Andresen, L.Ed.2d 401 480-81, 427 U.S. at cf. warrants, may attached to the search not be (provision 96 S.Ct. at 2748-49 authoriz upon provide requisite relied specificity. fruits, ing search of "other instrumentalities and noteworthy It is that the district court believed evidence of a crime at this unknown” [time] that the affidavits were essential to its decision upheld only accompanied lengthy because it uphold majority the warrants while the finds specified particular list of items to be seized sufficiently particular the warrants are pertaining specific property). even without the affidavits. *10 1358 provisions Moreover, do addressed the failure to

Nor the warrant describe with opinion pass majority in the text of the particularity the items to be seized cannot The warrants at is- constitutional muster. squared repeated pro- be with this court’s the of in authorize search sue this case a general description nouncements that in a in three of patient file all Dr. every if permissible only warrant is “a more language The of Hayes’s broad offices. description possible.” cise is not Gomez- 8,000 encompasses about files Soto, 654; F.2d at 728 United v. 1,500 office, files in in the the Porterville Cardwell, 75, (9th Cir.1982); 78 office, 1,000 files and in Farmersville the VonderAhe, 370; see also 508 F.2d at ac- majority opinion The con- Ivanhoe office. 804, Bright, cord States v. United really these vast numbers cludes that (5th Cir.1980). Although govern- 812 the noting the Court in insignificant, An- acknowledges ment investigation that its of acknowledged in searches of dresen Dr. Hayes prescrip- focused on excessive records, “some innocuous doc- voluminous drugs, tion of II au- warrant examined, cursorily, at least uments will be thorized a search of patient documents and they are, in order determine whether to pertaining every files to controlled sub- fact, among papers those authorized to be stance, commonly from Percodan to such 11, at n. 96 seized.” 427 U.S. 482 S.Ct. at prescribed Tylenol medications as co- n. 2749 Court Andresen went however, state, Here, Cardwell, in such deine and Valium. as in on to searches officials, judicial “responsible including of- governments pre-search results of ficials, care must take to assure that investigation “were not used to refine in a are conducted manner that minimizes scope Cardwell, of the warrant.” See 680 privacy.” upon unwarranted intrusions Id. F.2d at 78.5 case, opportunity In this an to minimize to The failure limit warrants so as to presented readily unwarranted intrusions upon patient’s privacy minimize intrusions issuing Mag- itself to the and to the particularly interests is troublesome be- been, istrate —the search could have but cause the documents to be searched were not, pertaining to restricted the files primarily medical records. Information particular patients or referred to patient extremely per- contained files is I “respon- in the affidavits. believe sonal potentially embarrassing and to inno- have, minimum, a sible” officials would at parties. cent third Unlike cases cited limited the search warrant to Schedule by majority, gen- searches drugs, any rather than to controlled sub- erally of stance, involved narrow class business suspect profiles, and the 58 rather transactions,6 10,000 patient than files. search this case en- 75, (1985); Gomez-Soto, sought 5. The that it a war- 723 admitted (business attempt F.2d rant its at 653 transactions defendant because Dr. resisted corporations, subpoena of records. three records international certain medical travel, indicating government’s investiga- documents or citi its residence failure to continue handwriting samples); zenship, United way subpoenas, tion of does not Distributing States v. Known As 50 State warrant. necessitate the use an overbroad Offices Co., 1371, (9th ("invoic Cir.1983) F.2d question 708 1372 may "While we the wisdom es, orders”, etc., warrant, supplier from national using sales opposed less as intrusive denied, advertising products), cert. 465 U.S. may government], methods available to [the (1984); L.Ed.2d 79 677 procedure demand that 'if such drastic is to Whitten, of, F.2d 1008-09 United States 706 strictly availed it should be limited consti- ’’ (9th Cir.1983) (records indicating ownership Cardwell, tutionally required.’ 680 F.2d at 78 residence), (citations VonderAhe, 369) occupancy 465 U.S. (quoting 508 at F.2d omitted). L.Ed.2d 125 Tamura, F.2d United States v. Andresen, (search Cir.1982) (business ca from television 6. See of doc records at 466 Federbush, relating property); importer); ble specified uments to sale United States Cir.1980) (documents McClintock, United F.2d States v. bank); (9th Cir.1984) (items gem pertaining checks to a certain and records from — v (doc- Louderman, retailer), stone compassed personal history con the omission because the opportunity to files. The provide tained thousands of guidelines reasonable was readily *11 scope Magistrate’s failure narrow the available to the and the issu- intrusions the search resulted massive ing Magistrate. reasonably spe- Because personal privacy interests. guidelines cific provided, were not the war- Cf. (1st Abrams, 615 F.2d 541 Cir. States v. rants, view, my do not even come close 1980) (invalidating broad search medical satisfying the Fourth par- Amendment’s records); (same). VonderAhe, ticularity requirement. For the reasons above, I stated dissent. testimony executing of the

Finally, the officers establishes provide guidelines” “reasonable

failed to search of the thousands of government’s

files in this case. While

investigation prescrip- focused on excessive drugs,

tion of Schedule the breadth of

the warrant number of medical gave searching

files in offices offi- cers no alternative but to exercise broad INDUSTRIES, RALPH C. WILSON choosing discretion in which files to seize. INC., Plaintiff-Appellant, According agent 8,000 searching to an office, files in anything the Porterville CO.; CHRONICLE BROADCASTING Mi within the confines of the offices was “fair Valley Broadcasting Corp.; ami Field game,” particular and whether to search a Corp.; Communications Viacom Inter “up file was to the discretion of the offi- national, Inc.; Films; P.I.T.S. Twenti fact, agent cer.” In “[pjerson- stated: Century-Fox Corp.; eth Film Para ally, specifically looking I was for the sub- mount Television Domestic Distribu stances Dialudid and Percodan.” He fur- tion, Inc.; Warner Bros. Television Do ther admitted basically that “it was as- Distribution, Inc.; mestic MCA Tele sumed that each officer was to use his Ltd.; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, vision common sense judgment as to which Inc.; Television, and United Artists fact, agents file should be In seized.” Inc., Defendants-Appellees. attempts soon called off their to search all records, the medical and focused instead on No. 84-2758. files, certain triplicate and on a Appeals, United States Court of prescription log maintained Dr. Ninth Circuit. Thus, prescriptions. for Schedule II overbreadth of the warrants in this case Argued and Submitted Oct. 1985. only permitted rummag- not discretionary July Decided seizure, ing and but fact necessitated it. searched, gener- number of files object search, al and the nature of

the information contained in all those files

demonstrate “guidelines” con-

tained simply warrants were

reasonable. There is no valid excuse for relating guidelines uments to the activities of a 7. The lack of reasonable was also business debtors); agents. charge locating involved in noted see also United Pollock, the Ivanhoe and Farmersville searches testified Cir. although they looking for that indicating documents 1984) (items methamphetamine used in manu prescription excessive of Schedule II facture). drugs, specific guidelines by there were no what to seize. were to determine

Case Details

Case Name: United States v. Jude R. Hayes
Court Name: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Date Published: May 9, 1986
Citation: 794 F.2d 1348
Docket Number: 84-1276
Court Abbreviation: 9th Cir.
AI-generated responses must be verified and are not legal advice.