Opinion ID: 161824
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Preponderance of Evidence Standard

Text: Initially, Mr. Walters urges us to discard the preponderance of the evidence standard and adopt the heightened evidentiary standard for determining drug quantities as outlined by the Ninth Circuit in United States v. Scheele, 231 F.3d 492 (9th Cir. 2000). In Scheele, the court held “the Due Process Clause requires the application of a clear and convincing evidence standard when an enhancement based upon uncharged conduct has an extremely disproportionate effect on the length of a defendant’s sentence.” Id. at 498 (quotation marks and citation omitted). -6- We considered and rejected a similar argument in United States v. Washington, 11 F.3d 1510, 1515-16 (10th Cir. 1993), cert. denied, 511 U.S. 1020 (1994). In Washington, the defendant argued “because the additional drug quantities effectively resulted in a life sentence a higher standard of proof should be required.” Id. at 1515. Although “[w]e recognize[d] the strong arguments that relevant conduct causing a dramatic increase in sentence ought to be subject to a higher standard of proof,” we held Tenth Circuit precedent precluded the court from adopting a “higher than a preponderance standard” when making calculation under the Sentencing Guidelines. Id. at 1516; see also United States v. Segien, 114 F.3d 1014, 1020 (10th Cir. 1997) (“[W]e have repeatedly held proof of drug quantities resulting in vastly increased sentences via the Sentencing Guidelines ... need only be by a preponderance of the evidence.”), cert. denied, 523 U.S. 1024 (1998). We are similarly restrained from adopting a new standard of proof. See In re Smith, 10 F.3d 723, 724 (10th Cir. 1993) (“We cannot overrule the judgment of another panel of this court. We are bound by the precedent of prior panels absent en banc reconsideration or a superseding contrary decision by the Supreme Court.”), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 807 (1994). Consequently, we conclude the district court properly applied the preponderance of evidence standard for determining the quantity of methamphetamine involved. -7-