United States v. Jewell

United States Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit

Plaintiff: United States

Defendant: Browning Jewell; The defendant was driving a car from Mexico to the United States when he was arrested at the border because the car contained $6,250 worth of marijuana. The marijuana was found in a secret compartment between the trunk and the rear seat. The defendant during the trial made the defense that since the automobile did not belong to him and since he was not aware of the presence of the marijuana in the secret compartment, he should not be held liable for possession of marijuana.

Issue: Should the lack of awareness of the defendant be enough to hold him not liable for the marijuana found in the car he was driving?

Holding: No

Legal Reasonina: The court held that the defendant knew that there was a secret compartment in the car he was driving, but he avoided looking into the compartment. He wilfully ignored to find the truth and "wilfull blindness" can not be considered an excuse for the defendant's actions.

**Something to think about....Do you think if the court had ruled in the favor of the defendant in this case, that would have given drug traffickers a new tactic for avoiding convictions?

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