Opinion ID: 1354921
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: InstructionsCounts 2, 9 & 10

Text: The appellant also argues that the instructions on counts 2, 9 and 10 constituted reversible error in that they, like the indictment, did not state the essential elements of the offense and did not inform the jury properly of the prosecution's burden of proof; instead, the appellant claims that the instructions, in fact, violated the appellant's due process rights by shifting the burden of proof to the appellant to show that his activities came within the limited course of professional practice exception to criminal culpability available to registered practitioners. We disagree. [17] State's Instruction B, given by the trial court, told the jury, in relevant part, that the crime of Delivery of a Schedule II Controlled Substance is a felony and is committed when a person knowingly and intentionally delivers to another person a Schedule II controlled substance ... [¶] ... by an actual delivery or by a constructive transfer[.] This instruction by itself incompletely stated the elements of the offense of felonious prescribing of a controlled substance by a registered practitioner. However, other instructions were given on this subject. The appellant's (defendant's) instruction no. 12, in pertinent part, stated that the appellant is a duly licensed, registered and practicing dentist in this state and[,] as such, is authorized and permitted, under the laws of [this state], to distribute, dispense, or administer a controlled substance in the course of his professional practice ..., including ... tylox, and to write prescriptions for same. (emphasis added) The appellant's instruction no. 13 was also given. It informed the jury that the appellant was acting within his rights as a dentist and must be found not guilty if the jury believed from the evidence that the appellant verified by examination the dental complaints of Gentry and Jones and prescribed Tylox as a treatment for pain, under the doctor-patient relationship. [18] Furthermore, the trial court's charge to the jury stated that the burden is always upon the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt; that this burden never shifts to a defendant; that the State must prove every material allegation in the indictment and every element of the crime charged beyond a reasonable doubt; and that it is the duty of the State to prove criminal intent beyond a reasonable doubt. The controlling principle is set forth in syllabus point 4 of State v. Stone, 165 W.Va. 266, 268 S.E.2d 50 (1980): The giving of confusing or incomplete instructions does not constitute reversible error where a reading and consideration of the instructions as a whole cure any defects in the complained of instructions. See also United States v. Plesons, 560 F.2d 890, 895-96 (8th Cir.) (considering general jury charge by trial court that prosecution bore burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt and general jury charge that defendant physician was entitled to prescribe within normal course of his medical practice, it was not reversible error for trial court to fail to include these points in specific instructions on each count), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 966, 98 S.Ct. 506, 54 L.Ed.2d 452 (1977). We believe that State's instruction B and the appellant's instruction no. 13 did not shift the burden of proof to him to show his entitlement to the course of professional practice exception from culpability under W.Va.Code, 60A-4-401(a) [1983], in light of the appellant's instruction no. 12 and the trial court's charge on the State's bearing the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, at all times, with respect to every element of the offense. Moreover, the instructions as a whole sufficiently stated the elements of the offense. See United States v. Hayes, 794 F.2d 1348, 1351-52 (9th Cir.1986), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 1086, 107 S.Ct. 1289, 94 L.Ed.2d 146 (1987). With respect to both the indictment (counts 2, 9 and 10) and the instructions, the State relies, in part, upon W.Va. Code, 60A-5-506(a) [1971], which provides: (a) It is not necessary for the State to negate any exemption or exception in this chapter in any complaint, information, indictment, or other pleading or in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding under this chapter. The burden of proof of any exemption or exception is upon the person claiming it. The State contends that the existence of a legitimate medical, dental or other authorized purpose for prescriptions for a controlled substance is a statutory exception to the general offense set forth in W.Va. Code, 60A-4-401(a) [1983]. Therefore, the State argues that, under W.Va.Code, 60A-5-506(a) [1971], an indictment need not charge, as an essential element, the lack of a legitimate medical, dental or other authorized purpose for the prescriptions, and the burden of going forward with the evidence is upon a defendant registered practitioner to show that he or she issued the prescriptions with such a legitimate purpose. If the State's argument is correct, a grand jury properly could return an indictment against any registered practitioner for prescribing a controlled substance, and the registered practitioner always would have the burden at trial of going forward with the evidence to show that the prescriptions were issued for a legitimate purpose. The effect of such a scheme would be a rebuttable presumption that every registered practitioner who prescribes a controlled substance does so without a legitimate purpose. We do not believe the legislature intended such a scheme. In a few instances, such as here, the negation of what is facially a statutory exception is so necessary to a true definition of the offense that the elements of the crime are not fully stated without negation of the exception. Stated another way, an essential element of a criminal offense is not always expressed in the statutory section defining the offense, but in a few instances may include the negation of an exception to the offense. United States v. Outler, 659 F.2d 1306, 1309-10 & nn. 3-4 (5th Cir. Unit B Oct. 1981) (disapproving earlier contrary 5th Cir. cases), cert. denied, 455 U.S. 950, 102 S.Ct. 1453, 71 L.Ed.2d 665 (1982). See also United States v. King, 587 F.2d 956, 963 (9th Cir.1978); United States v. Black, 512 F.2d 864, 871 (9th Cir.1975) (presumption that registered practitioners prescribe for illegitimate purposes is irrational). [19] Accordingly, this Court holds that W.Va. Code, 60A-5-506(a) [1971], excusing the State from having to negate, in an indictment or at trial, any exemption or exception under West Virginia's Uniform Controlled Substances Act, is not applicable to a prosecution of a registered practitioner for feloniously prescribing a controlled substance in violation of W.Va.Code, 60A-4-401(a), as amended. Therefore, an indictment in such a prosecution must charge that the prescriptions were issued without a legitimate medical, dental or other authorized purpose, and the State must prove such element of the offense, as well as all other elements of the offense, beyond a reasonable doubt. This burden of proof includes the burden of the State, in its case in chief, to go forward with the evidence on the lack of such legitimate purpose for the prescriptions. In the present case counts 2, 9 an 10 of the indictment, as discussed previously, essentially charged the lack of a legitimate purpose for the prescriptions at issue therein. In addition, the State introduced evidence in its case in chief to show the lack of a legitimate purpose for the prescriptions. Finally, the jury was instructed that the State bore the burden of proof as to every element of the crime charged beyond a reasonable doubt. Consequently, there was no reversible instructional or other error on these matters.