Opinion ID: 213502
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Ware’s Fifth Claim

Text: During trial the leasing agent testified that she saw baggies and a white substance in Ware’s kitchen during a visit to his apartment. The government elicited that this “could have been drugs,” and that baggies were something the agent “associated with drugs.” The government subsequently argued to the jury that the leasing agent “recognized these immediately to be drugs and drug paraphernalia.” Ware argues that the leasing agent’s identification of drugs in his apartment was inadmissible as a lay witness’s opinion. He argues it prejudiced his defense because it was the only evidence that placed Ware in the apartment in close proximity to drugs. Pursuant to Federal Rule of Evidence 701, lay witnesses can testify to opinions and inferences “which are (a) rationally based on the perception of the witness, (b) helpful to a clear understanding of the witness’ testimony or the determination of a fact in issue, and (c) not based on scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge within the scope of Rule 702.” Fed. R. Evid. 701. A lay witness’s opinion is admissible “only if it is based on first-hand knowledge or observation . . . .” United States v. Marshall, 173 F.3d 1312, 1315 (11th Cir. 1999). 14 The court did not plainly err by admitting this testimony. The leasing agent testified that she observed a white substance, baggies, and a scale in Ware’s kitchen. Her testimony that the substance “could have been drugs” was made in context of not only the appearance of the substance, but its proximity to baggies and a scale. This testimony was based on her first-hand observation of the kitchen counter top, and was a rationally based perception. She explained that she associated the baggies with drugs because they were tiny and because she observed them “all over the place” where persons distributed drugs. This was helpful to understand her testimony. Her identifications were not based on expert knowledge, but were permissible under Rule 701.