Suite 1250
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106-4476
(215) 555-8200
Trial Division, Narcotics Bureau
Assistant United States Attorneys
Leslie Knope and Ann PerkinsOCTOBER 18, 2018Mr. Dwight Schrute was indicted yesterday on one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute in violation of 21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1). Specifically, the Defendant is accused of possession of 1000 100 milligram baggies of crystalline methamphetamine hydrochloride (N-methyl-1-phenylpropan-2-amine), commonly known as methamphetamine or crystal meth.We need a memo from you addressing our chances for success in prosecuting this case. We are only interested in the question of whether Mr. Schrute knowingly possessed the methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1). Your analysis should be limited to this issue. You should not address any other issues. Specifically, you should not address issues relating to the lawfulness of the stop or search of the car. Additionally, you should note that venue is proper in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.Please give this your immediate attention. We will need the completed memorandum by November 19, 2018. You must keep us updated about your research. We have attached research roadmaps to this memo for you to complete and submit to me as your research progresses.
Fall 2018Research Roadmap Plan, Part II: Secondary Sources and Annotated Statutes
Good faith completion of this assignment is necessary to attend any part of class where this research is discussed.Goals: (a) Use secondary sources to gather background information that will help you formulate and understand your issue, refine your research vocabulary, and possibly generate initial case leads. (If this was an assignment for an actual client, these sources may also help you identify related issues that need to be addressed. For this assignment, however, do not stray from the assigned issue.) (b) Use statutes as a starting point for research and to find additional relevant law applicable to the issue. Using these two kinds of sources will enable you to quickly find the majority of the relevant authority for your Open Memo assignment. In addition to finding primary authority, the secondary sources will give you a good overview of the analysis of this assignment.Instructions: Read through this entire assignment. To the best of your ability, answer the following questions. Unless otherwise indicated, you may use either print or online sources to answer these questions. Bring one copy of this assignment to turn in at the beginning of Class #19 (Oct. 26, 2018). Make sure to keep a copy for yourself. A copy of this Roadmap will be available on the Canvas/TWEN site.Note: You can do the Sections of this Roadmap in any order you like. Remember that legal research is inter-related, so you can start with the secondary sources, annotated statutes, or digests (Roadmap #3) and find all of the relevant material and see the connections. I suggest starting with the secondary sources because these will allow you to get the big picture of how the issues involved in our case are analyzed. Tips as you begin your research:Check pocket parts and supplements when using print resources (books) for your research.
Look at indexes, tables of contents, and guides when using resources.
Refer to your research labs, class notes, in-class research exercises, and the Osbeck text to refresh your memory when using these resources.
When you find West Topics and Key Numbers that appear relevant you must note both the Topic and the Key Number. If you just write down the Key Number you will not be able to use this information later to find cases.
What have you found? What do you still need to find? Which questions are answered? What new questions are raised?
