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United States v. Chavez

United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
976 F.3d 1178 (2020)

Written by Nathan Benedict, JD

Facts

Randolfo Chavez (defendant) was convicted of two counts of distributing methamphetamine. At trial, the government admitted into evidence three transcripts of audio recordings in which Chavez made incriminating statements in Spanish. The audio recordings were not admitted into evidence or played for the jury. Chavez objected to the admission of the transcripts as a violation of Federal Rule of Evidence 1002, the best-evidence rule. Chavez was convicted and appealed.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Holmes, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
A summary of the majority or plurality opinion, using the CREAC method; and
The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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